While we all see city employees out and about fixing our roads and patrolling our streets, often some of the biggest contributions in the public sector are done out of the public eye. What's even more impressive is when these projects come to fruition as a result of a collaborative effort between various organizations. A perfect example of this success can be seen in the City of Arlington's newest addition to its list of remarkable parks, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department's Parks Planning Division.

Located in southwest Arlington, the 58-acre Southwest Nature Preserve is a remnant of the East Cross Timbers Forest that stretches from southeastern Kansas to central Texas. "The preserve is home to several significant native plant communities, four ponds, soft-surface hiking trails, and a high bluff composed of sandstone outcroppings with dramatic views," said Parks Project Manager Kurt Beilharz. "Phase one development includes a lighted parking lot with an electronically controlled entry gate, a terraced outdoor education area, shaded picnic tables, and a pond-side boardwalk with an accessible fishing pier." But perhaps the most interesting concept about this park is what it lacks. There is no turf anywhere on the property, which minimizes the need for mowing. Once the native landscaping that surrounds the parking lot and outdoor education area is established, it will require very little supplemental watering.

But while the park itself is impressive, the work completed behind-the-scenes to make it a finished product is a truly amazing story, one that helped the City of Arlington Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) earn the Park Design Excellence Award from the Texas Recreation & Park Society. "In 2005, the City collaborated with the Trust for Public Land to acquire the property and hold it until funding had been identified to purchase the property from the Trust. Later that year, Tarrant County officials worked with the PARD staff to provide funding assistance and equipment that was used by volunteers for several clean-up events to remove trash, debris and objects like old appliances and abandoned cars that had been dumped on the property over several decades," said Beilharz. "The master plan was developed in a collaborative effort between PARD, the design firm Halff Associates, and a 22-person Advisory Committee. Because of the location, it wasn't feasible to provide Arlington's water for the site, so an inter-local agreement was negotiated with the City of Kennedale to allow purchase of Kennedale's water to supply the project. Kennedale was also involved in planning the hike and bike trail system during the planning stages of the preserve as well."