The council held a public hearing to consider adoption of the town’s master plan during its July 18 meeting. The master plan looks to prioritize enhancements and expansion of the trail and bikeway system in Flower Mound, according to the town. It will serve as a roadmap to guide short- and long-range priorities for the trails and bikeways network in Flower Mound over the next decade.
The plan recommends adding 125 miles of trail and bikeway facilities and identifies high-, medium- and low-priority projects. The draft includes a variety of desired trail types, such as on-street bikeways and off-street trails, equestrian trails and paddling trails.
Costs for a specific trail or bikeway facility will vary based on site conditions and as additional planning, design and engineering occurs, according to the plan.
Flower Mound officials collected community feedback via surveys and in-person and virtual meetings prior to the adoption hearing. The Parks Board, Transportation Commission, and Planning and Zoning Commission each unanimously recommended approval in June.
The council expressed general support for the plan but expressed concerns about high-priority projects. For safety reasons, the council wants to keep trails as off-road as possible.
“I’m not in favor of the high priority for the Waketon Road project, nor am I in favor of the FM 3040, I guess, Flower Mound Road to Garden Ridge,” Council Member Ann Martin said. “I don’t want to put a 12-foot trail on that major thoroughfare.”
While community feedback indicated 94% of residents plan to use the trails for recreational purposes, the Parks and Recreation Department emphasized intent for the trails to also help connect people who are using trails for transportation purposes.
“It’s great to have it go off street when possible,” Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Jennings said. “There's going to be a lot of times when it’s not feasible.”
Town resident Scott Langley voiced support for the plan during the public hearing.
“This is worth doing a little bit slower and doing it right,” he said. “I do ask you to continue to be inquisitive. Instead of ask ‘why’, ask ‘why not?’ There’s been a lot of public engagement, a lot of public input, and I don't want you to overlook that.”
The council will revisit the plan in August.
To learn more about the master plan and the process used to develop it, visit www.flowermoundtrailsplan.com.
