Health & wellness
What’s happening?
Lewisville park land The neighborhood focus areas are regions where the city is targeting land acquisition, tree planting and possible parks. Addressing these areas will help the city hit its goal of bringing all residents within a 10-minute walk of a park by 2035.
The city renewed an agreement with Lewisville ISD in December for public access to 10 school parks. The agreement includes an 11th park, which will be built at Hendrick Middle School. The agreement increased the number of residents 10 minutes away from a park from 83% to 85% without the need for new construction. Agreements like this can help the city bridge the last 15%, which will be challenging since Lewisville is around 90% built out, Anaya said. In the summer, the city opened Glory Park after ve years of work and closed o Kia Drive in October to stop through tra c, ensuring safety for parkgoers. The $3 million project contains two playground structures, a tness station and free Wi-Fi, giving internet access to nearby residents, Anaya said. The city planted 80 new trees at Glory Park and will plant more at future park projects where possible, she said. In September, City Council approved a 1-mile extension of Timber Creek trail for $112,000 after previously approving at least $431,000 for design and project management services in 2021. Once complete, the trail will connect with another that runs from Central Park to Corporate Drive. Over $42 million from the 2024 bond is allocated for Lake Park and Vista Ridge Park and Amphitheater redevelopment. Plans include renovating trails, repairing eroded shorelines and stormwater improvements to mitigate ooding, Anaya said. “Sta plan to add re support, beach safety improvements and neighborhood park updates to Lake Park, and an inclusive playground and ball eld at Vista Ridge so kids who might use a wheelchair can play alongside their families,” she said.
LEWISVILLE LAKE
LLELA NATURE PRESERVE
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RAILROAD PARK
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Lewisville
SRT TOLL
Neighborhood focus area Underserved areas Park within 10 minutes Lewisville parks
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SOURCE: CITY OF LEWISVILLECOMMUNITY IMPACT
LLELA Park Ranger Adalynn France said. Tree planting will be a major initiative when targeting these lower socioeconomic areas and vulnerable populations, which have disparate access to parks, trails and tree coverage, Anaya said. “It’s one thing to have a 10-minute walk to a park, but if it’s too hot to make that walk July through September then what’s the use of it?” she said.
The city has secured design contracts for a trail o of Levee Improvement District between Rockbrook Drive and MacArthur Boulevard, Anaya said. The $3 million trail will use 2024 bond funds and connect apartments in the area with Rockbrook Elementary to o er a safe walking route for nearby residents. The city is targeting work in a park desert triangle made up by Business 121, Sam Rayburn Tollway, and I-35 and similar areas with disparate park access,
Why it matters
Lewisville canopy data
disparities between urban and rural areas, Wettengel said. “A lack of green spaces and canopy coverage can increase risk of heat-related heart stress, blood pressure issues and anxiety,” he said. Additionally, tree coverage can reduce tempera- tures by up to 15 degrees compared to tree barren areas while also helping to absorbing pollutants, Wettengel said. A single tree planted on the south or west side of a house can also help a homeowner save 20% on energy costs, per Oncor data.
According to Tree Equity Score, an organization that tracks nationwide canopy coverage, cities with 33% canopy coverage are about 2.6 degrees cooler than the urban area average and cities like Lewisville with around 17% canopy coverage are 2.3 degrees warmer than the average. “Lewisville is a great example of an urban heat island,” said Eric Wettengel, urban forestry manager with Texas Tree Foundation. The influx of concrete and glass buildings absorb and emit heat day and night, creating temperature
+20% energy savings possible with single tree planted in a yard
3,000+ acres of park land
Up to 15 degree reduction in canopied areas
17% canopy coverage
188,373 trees needed to reach 33% coverage
20+ trails
SOURCE: TREE EQUITY SCORE/ ONCOR/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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