For the residents of the far Southern tip of Arlington, our neighborhoods provide a respite from heavily populated areas while still maintaining the convenience of city life thanks to the surrounding schools and commercial areas. However, there is one thing missing, a park for our families to enjoy. 

The closest Arlington park to the Southernmost tip of the the city limits is a 3+ mile, approximately one hour walk, that includes crossing three very busy streets (Ragland, Debbie, and Collins) and lacks a complete sidewalk structure to make it to that park area safely (Webb Community Park and “The Beacon”). Mansfield has a park closer to us (Elmer W Oliver Nature Park) but that still involves a walk through a non sidewalk supported area and is an approximately 2 mile, 40 minute walk. 

We, the residents, see an opportunity at the end of South Collins rd (9601 N. Holland Rd. and surrounding area) for a large public park. The area directly South of the Southwind neighborhood is home to federally protected wetlands, a dozen or more species of native animals, dozens of mature trees (some measured to be older than the City of Arlington itself), and a once in a generation opportunity to connect three cities via parks and trails rather than just roads and bridges. Development of a park in this area would allow the cities of Mansfield, Arlington, and Grand Prairie to connect Elmer W Oliver Nature Park, Loyd Park campgrounds, and the proposed new Arlington park VIA a system of walking and biking trails that would stretch for miles. 

In a recent comprehensive study, the Office of Strategic Initiatives for the City of Arlington conducted multiple surveys of the residents of South Arlington. The area deemed “Sector 4” (South of Webb Ferrell and East of Collins) in this corridor is home to ZERO public parks or trail areas. In light of this fact, the residents who participated in the first survey voted at a rate of over 73% for more parks and trails. Sadly, by the time the 3rd survey was created and made public, the parks and trails option for sector 4 had disappeared. Instead, the city wants to allow a developer to purchase land from XTO Energy and force a small subdivision (70 homes) into an area that bumps up against a federal regulatory floodway. 

If this is approved, within a five year time span, our area will have seen the addition of:

• 2 liquor stores
• 2 Apartment complexes
• A rent-to-own development
• 2 gas stations
• 2 New subdivisions

All within a smaller mileage radius from neighborhoods South of Debbie Lane than any existing public park or trail land in Arlington. The already approved developments alone have increased traffic, and will end up adding thousands of residents to our community upon their completion. This does not include the proposed future development of land at all four corners of Debbie and Collins.

Our schools were overcrowded five years ago, and adding this much housing is only going to increase that stress on the school system. Adding one more subdivision instead of a park is more than just an oversight by the City of Arlington, it proves beyond a shadow of a doubt a willingness to ignore the will of the people. We are not against development, but there comes a point when an area becomes over developed. We believe that "Sector 4" has reached that point. The reality of the situation is that the residents of the Southernmost tip of Arlington not only want a park, but we NEED a park.

Please sign this petition to show the City of Arlington that we need a public park on that land far more than we need one more subdivision.