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Parks and forests, gardens, farms, open fields, vacant lots and brownfields, residential communities and flood plains - all these are part of Dallas’ urban landscape.
But did you know that only 42 percent (165 square miles) of the City’s total land has been developed? About 27 percent of that land is designated to remain green space. However, the City has several strategies in place to maintain a balance between development and green space.
At golf courses and parks, the City continues to plant trees, which create shade and can lower ambient temperatures. The additional trees also help absorb CO2, a greenhouse gas, as do the many trees found at the Great Trinity Forest, the largest urban hardwood forest in the United States.
Looking ahead, the City has adopted “Forward Dallas!” a comprehensive land use plan focusing on sustainability, air and water quality.
In FY 2009-2010 the Dallas Park and Recreation Department took major steps to protect the environment. The department established a Trail Network Master Plan that calls for more than 250 miles of multi-use trails. Complementing the trail system is the City’s 1,000 mile bicycle path network.
The City also uses the Municipal Setting Designation; a land use tool which promotes redevelopment of contaminated properties but restricts certain land uses to protect human health and the environment.
