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Texas Target Cities Program
Master Plan
For Greenway & Regional Park:
LORENA, TX
Prepared by Diane Owen-Johnson
Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning
Texas A&M University
May 2002
Prepared by Diane Owen-Johnson
Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning
Texas A&M University
Lorena, Texas is a peaceful and quaint town. Located approximately 13 miles south of Waco, Texas, this bedroom community is working enthusiastically
towards maintaining its heritage and natural environment by adopting a comprehensive master plan for the City of Lorena. Originally settled in 1881 as a
station on the Missouri-Kansas Texas Railroad, Lorena has managed to maintain its charm and simplicity for over a century.
The City of Lorena has adopted a comprehensive master plan that will assure consistency in economic and population growth. The plan will also maintain
the historical sites, cultural heritage, and preserve natural and undeveloped land within the city. Another exciting aspect of the master plan is an alternate
transportation route in the form of a Greenway System (pedestrian / bikeway). The Greenway System will provide multiple benefits to the community such
as recreation, education, and connectivity throughout the city. Another aspect of the comprehensive plan is to create a 187 acre regional park for the local
and surrounding communities.
The purpose of this project is to develop a schematic design for the Greenway System, a concept design for the Lorena Regional Park, and a Gateway
design for both the north and south Interstate 35 exits. This project is part of the Texas Target Cities Program, a program that has been in effect since
1993.
The Texas Target Cities Program
is set up as a coordinated effort
between a city, with a population
of less than 10,000 and A&M’s
second year graduate
planning students.
AbstractAbstract
AcknowledgementAcknowledgement
Lorena, TXLorena, TX
I would like to express my appreciation to all of the people who have offered their expertise, time, talent and encouragement throughout this project.
I would like to especially thank Dr. Chang-Shan Huang for having faith in me and in being an inspiration to me through his exceptional artistic vision
and talents. I would also like to thank Dr. David Pugh and Dr. Scot Shafer for their expertise, direction and time. And, I would like to thank
the City of Lorena, Texas for allowing A&M to participate in the planning of their future.
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Lorena, TXLorena, TX 22
Table of ContentsTable of ContentsAbstract 1
Acknowledgement 1
Table of Contents 2
List of Figures 3
I. Introduction 4
1.1 Project Background and Procedure 4
1.2 Design Approach 5
1.3 Design Process 5
II. Literature Review 6
2.1 Greenway 6
2.2 Parks 7
III. Site Analysis 8
3.1 Region Context 8
3.2 Demography 8
3.3 Land Use 8
3.4 Typography 9
3.5 Flood Plain 9
3.6 Soil Analysis 10
IV. Design Program 17
4.1 Design Goals and Objectives 17
4.2 Regional Park 18
V. Design Concept 19
5.1 Gateway System 19
5.2 Regional Park 22
5.3 Gateway Improvement 31
VI. Discussion 34
VII. Bibliography 35
Lorena, TXLorena, TX 33
List of FiguresList of Figures
Plate #1 Lorena, Texas Regional Map 11
Plate #2 Project Site 12
Plate #3 Local Context 13
Plate #4 Typography 14
Plate #5 FEMA Map 15
Plate #6 Soil Map 16
Plate #7 Greenway System 20
Plate #8 Greenway System Perspectives 21
Plate #9 Lorena Regional Park Topography 24
Plate #10 Lorena Regional Park Zones 25
Plate #11 Lorena Regional Park Illustrative Plan 26
Plate #12 Lorena Regional Park Perspectives 27
Plate #13 Lorena Regional Park Sections 28
Plate #14 Lorena Regional Park Phasing Plan 30
Plate #15 Gateway Zone 32
Plate #16 Gateway Perspectives 33
1. 1 Project Background and Procedure
The City of Lorena, Texas, located in McLennan County, was settled as a station on the
Missouri-Kansas and Texas Railroad in 1881. Over the past one hundred years, Lorena’s
population has grown to approximately 1244 residents and eighty-two businesses. The city
limits is split by the north-south 1-35 corridor and the Union Pacific rail line. Located thirteen
miles south of Waco, Texas and 21 miles north of Temple, Texas, Lorena is considered to be
a bedroom community with 82% of Lorena’s residents working outside the city limits.
The proposed Lorena Greenway System, Regional Park, and Gateway are essential in
providing the recreation space and identity for Lorena,Texas and is a major part of the overall
comprehensive master plan for the city.
Lorena would like to protect the quality of life that now exists within its community by taking
ownership of specific valuable natural environments and developing the areas into
recreational and educational outdoor spaces for both the local and adjacent communities.
The area chosen for the Greenway System is a mature riparian zone along Cow Bayou. The
property that has been selected for the Lorena Regional Park is a 187 acre contiguous parcel
of land located adjacent to the Lorena I.S.D. school complex, west of Ten Oaks Plantation,
south of Williams and north of Hatch Road.
I. IntroductionI. Introduction
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1. 2 Design Approach
Economic viability is key to Lorena’s growth and sustainability. It is Lorena’s hope, through the
development of the comprehensive master plan, to mitigate “sprawl,” preserve the quality of
life, and to save open space and natural riparian zones, to be utilized as future outdoor
recreational amenities for the entire community.
In keeping with the desires of the City of Lorena and the community at-large, the design approach
taken for the new Greenway System and Lorena Regional Park is one of stewardship, economic
stimulation, and connectivity. The focus of the new City Regional Park is to facilitate and stimulate
community association through enjoyable passive and active outdoor recreation, education, cultural
events and festivals.
There is a direct correlation between preserving and maintaining natural environments and creating
economic stimulation through community development where natural environments are kept as
outdoor recreational space for the community. The new Regional Park will be large enough and
diverse enough to facilitate the projected population and housing growth.
The new park promises to become a focal point in the city and an economic based attraction to the
surrounding areas through tournament sponsorships. In conjunction with the park, the expansive
Greenway System will be an added attraction for the involvement of the
surrounding communities in “connecting up”
to the Greenway System and “buying into”
the local commerce while actively
participating in recreation and choosing an alternate
means of transportation, thereby saving fuel
and building good health in the individual
and further providing a visible stewardship
approach to the environment.
There is a system to the design process. In this
system, a number of steps are taken. These steps are
necessary to gain as much insight as possible of a
project to realize the inherent constraints and
possible solutions.
a. Literature Review
The first step in the process is a literature review. In this information gathering step, past and
current publications are read and analyzed for the specific purposes of ascertaining possible
solutions and/or potential problems relevant to the the project that is to be designed.
b. Data Collection
Pertinent data was collected through personal interviews with residents, historians and
governing entities within Lorena as was questionnaires, site analysis and photographs.
c. Site Inventory and Analysis
Specific physical information was gathered and examined to facilitate and develop a concept
plan. The site inventory included circulation patterns, regional and local maps, zoning maps,
soil maps, drainage maps, floodplain maps, transportation maps, existing land use maps,
annexation maps, and land ownership maps. Historical sites were also noted.
The purpose for selecting this parcel of land for Lorena’s Regional Park is because of its proximity
to the I.S.D. complex. Within the I.S.D. complex are Lorena’s Elementary, Middle and High
Schools. Further, the comprehensive master plan calls for single-family development immediately
north and a mixed use Creekside District to the south and west.
The new Lorena Regional Park will be a major node within the Greenway System being proposed
and its connectivity to Lorena’s downtown area and other significant historical and entertainment
sites within the community will enhance the community’s outdoor recreational experiences and
provide a place to host major regional events lending to the economic growth of the city.
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1. 3 Design ProcessLa
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2.1 GREENWAYS - Why a Greenway System and Regional Park? The earth is important because it supports life. Throughout history, man has relied on the natural environment for food, shelter, water and the
air we breathe. Over many decades degradation occurred to vast expanses of the natural environment through man’s progress and activities. Since the beginning of the 20th
century, the Bureau of Mines, under
the department of Interior, created an Office of Air Pollution to control smog emissions. In 1955, the government decided that smog was a big enough problem to establish the Air pollution Control Act of 1955,
which was the first in a series of clean air quality control acts, which are still in effect and continue to be revised and amended (Flemming, James R. and Knorr, Bethany R. 1993).
In April, 1970, “Earth Day” was observed internationally to emphasize the necessity for the conservation of the worlds natural resources. The emphasis is on solutions that will slow and possibly reverse the
negative effects of human activities. In 1972, Congress enacted the first comprehensive national clean water legislation in response to growing public concerns for serious and widespread water pollution. The
Clean Water Act is the primary federal law that protects our nation’s waters, including lakes, rivers, aquifers and coastal areas. The Clean Water Act’s primary objective is to restore and maintain the integrity of
the nation’s waters. The act translates into two fundamental national goods: eliminate the discharge of pollutants into the nation’s waters and achieve water quality levels that are fishable and swimmable (EPA
2001). All that is needed to provide a healthy, prosperous future for our planet and it’s people, is for all to act as Trustees of Earth, to do those things that will nurture and improve Earth’s migrating wildlife in
their seasonal travels: from revitalized urban waterfronts to tree shaded footpaths along a stream, far from the city.
Greenways provide a means to save precious ecosystems and provide outdoor recreation. Because the
realm of possibility seems endless, to define the word greenway would indeed limit the
vision. Greenways then become only what we have said they can be, and then
the flexibility that ensures us political and public acceptance for each unique project is
gone. On the contrary, the greenway idea is, and should remain elastic (Scharz, Loring
LaB 1993).
Charles Little in his classic work “Greenways for America” has defined the greenway concept as follows: A greenway is a
linear open space established along either a natural corridor such as a riverfront, stream valley, or ridgeline, or overland along a railroad right-of-way converted to recreational use, a landscaped course for
pedestrian or bicycle passage. An open-space connector linking parks, natural reserves, cultural features, or historic sites with each other and with populated areas. Locally, certain strip or linear parks
designated as parkway or greenbelt (Schwarz, Loring LaB 1993).
d. Program Design
It is at this step that a synthesis begins to take place of all of the previous steps in developing an
initial schematic design for the project. This process allows opportunity to see circulation, and
relationships within a design project and how the natural environment will be preserved or
enhanced in the development of the design.
e. Concept Design
After the initial Program Design step, a Concept Design is developed which is a culmination of
the information ascertained in the previous step. This step begins the final design development.
f. Preliminary Master Plan
After a concept design has been approved, a Preliminary
Master Plan is developed showing the relationships and
circulation of the design elements and features within
the project site.
g. Plan Refinement
This step completes the design process development. Last minute changes are made at this
step before detailed drawings are produced.
h. Detailed Drawings
Areas of interest will be delineated in perspective drawings and cross-section drawings.
I. Final Design and Report
All products of the project will be in CD-ROM
format as well as a written report.
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II. Literature ReviewII. Literature Review
Unusual partnerships are forged for their protection. Synergism among groups that have traditionally competed with one another for use of the land may be a greenway’s most lauded characteristic. Most
greenways support several uses and joint venture. A greenway project can preserve critical resources while encouraging dialogue among partners, setting common ground on which to focus further
cooperation and coordination. Design trends and ecological research support the wisdom of open-space planning that compliments the shape and flow of the land. Landscape features, such as streams,
rivers, ridge-tops and beaches are often linear. These natural features often provide the backbone for a greenway project or network (Schwarz, Loring LaB 1993).
2.2 PARKS - American parks or open-space developed as unconscious design expressions and were an outgrowth of utilitarian food production needs. Cemeteries represented early attempts at laying out
functional and attractive outdoor spaces on a somewhat more grandiose scale. Early in the 19th
century the proliferation of country estates provided new opportunities for landscape designers. Sparking
America’s urban park movement, Frederick Law Olmsted, known as the Father of Landscape Architecture, designed the first public green expanse of pasture we know today as the Boston Common. His
contribution to the profession of Landscape Architecture and to the conservation and preservation of our nation’s beautiful outdoor recreational space is beyond words. Just a few of his most notable
projects are: Parks - Central Park in New York, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, The Chicago South Park, Mount Royal in Montreal / Residential - Riverside in Illinois, Druid Hills in Atlanta / Academic Campuses
– Stanford University, The College of California, Berkeley / Multiple memorials / U.S. Capital Grounds / Scenic Preservation – Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Big Tree Grove and Niagara Reservation /
Biltmore Estate.
The profession of Landscape Architecture came into its own in 1899 upon the founding of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Through the efforts of Frederick Law Olmsted’s son, FLO Junior
formal instruction in landscape architecture began at Harvard the following year. After the Depression landscape architects found their way into leadership roles in public works, utilizing their array of skills
in planning, site development, construction implementation and resource management. Their leadership and skill were demonstrated clearly in the development of a vast system of national forests as well
as state and national parks that remain unparalleled anywhere in the world. Particularly important to our preservation and restoration of our open-space land came from Frederick Law Olmsted Sr. and his
son in the roles they played in shaping America’s national park policy. It was Frederick Law Olmsted, with his typical futuristic outlook, planted the seeds for a visionary system of national parks in his work
for the Commission on the Yosemite Valley in the 1860s. His son developed lifelong interest in conservation that resulted in a remarkable series of achievements advocating state and national park
planning. It is Frederick Junior who is credited with the emphasis on a system of regional parks extending into the surrounding suburbs but, it was Frederick Law Olmsted Senior, who was concerned with
how landscape could provide recreational and health benefits for the entire population. It was the step-brother of Frederick Law Olmsted Junior, John Charles Olmsted who began to change the emphasis
from the pastoral to the more architectural and recreational. He urged controls over haphazard building to protect important vistas and areas of outstanding scenic beauty.
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The concept of historic preservation has grown beyond the confines of architecture to include the
landscape itself. Now the preservation of comprehensive districts, neighborhoods, communities
and entire rural landscapes has captured the attention of landscape architects, and our heritage
is richer because of it. Similar in spirit and ethic to conserving historic landscapes has been the
recent interest in restoring disturbed sites to their earlier natural character.
Ugly quarries, strip-mined areas and other disfigured landscapes are being made productive and
enjoyable again thanks to new revegetation concepts and other resource management
techniques.
One of the most noteworthy advancements of landscape architecture in recent times has
occurred in large-scale landscape planning. Thanks to an infusion of ecological values and new
technology, members of the profession assumed important roles in this vital land stewardship
activity. A significant contribution to managing wild and rural landscapes has been the
development of techniques for assessing and protecting scenic quality (American Landscape
Architecture 1899).
It is with this stewardship message in mind, that provokes my interest in Lorena’s conservation
and preservation efforts. Without a system in place to recognize the aesthetic and economic
value in the inherent beauty of a region, the beauty becomes lost in the development with grave
consequences in the quality of life for the community.
I am a proponent of the “Olmstedian” concept in having a “reverential” attitude toward nature. In
my attempt to follow in the footsteps of FLO, I too, seek to create mystery, bounteousness and
peacefulness as evoked by meadows with scattered shade trees or bodies of water that reflect
the trees and sky.
Once Olmsted became a landscape architect, he had to formulate a new conception of his role; in the process he created a comprehensive body of theory about landscape design that was so original that
few of his contemporaries grasped its full meaning. His emphasis on the psychological effects of scenery gave his design principles a firm base independent of the “battle of the styles.” Not aesthetic theory
but the very health of the human organism became the touchstone of his art.
The experience of scenery was visual, and as he developed his own concepts Olmsted wrote of the relations of sight to the wellbeing of the whole person. In one of his most concise statements he
asserted that “A man’s eyes cannot be as much occupied as they are in large cities by artificial things…without a harmful effect, first on his mental and nervous system and ultimately on his entire
constitutional organization.” Landscape provided a relief from the “rigidity and confinement and protrusion of art of the ordinary conditions of the city.” It was able “to refresh and delight the eye and through
the eye, the mind and the spirit.”
In describing the effects of scenery Olmsted used such terms as “sanative” and “restoring” and spoke of his parks as “sanitary institutions.” He insisted that in doing so he was not speaking metaphorically.
He was sure that “the charm of natural scenery is an influence of the highest curative value; highest, if for no other reason, because it acts directly upon the highest functions of the system, and through
them upon all below, tending, more than any single form of medication we can use, to establish sound minds in sound bodies.”
Olmsted laid great stress on the restorative psychological effect of scenery. By the early 1850s he was describing it as something that occurred by an unconscious process. In Walks and Talks of an
American Farmer in England he wrote, “Gradually and silently the charm comes over us, the beauty has entered our souls; we know not exactly when or how.” One could not directly pursue this feeling, he
cautioned: “Dame Nature is a gentlewoman. No guide’s fee will obtain you her favor, no abrupt demand; hardly will she bear questioning, or direct, curious gazing at her beauty.” What Olmsted sought to
promote, especially in his design of parks and other urban places, was what he called “unconscious or indirect recreation.” “Objects before which people are called to a halt, and to utter mental exclamation
of surprise and admiration,: he taught, “are often adapted to interrupt and prevent, or interfere with the processes of indirect or unconscious recreation.” A corollary of this truth was that “the highest value of
a park must be expected to lie in elements and qualities of scenery to which the mind of those benefiting by them is liable, at the time the benefit is received, to give little conscious cognition, and which,
though not at all beyond study, are of too complex, subtle and spiritual a nature to be readily checked off, item by item, like a jeweler's or a florist’s wares.” In search of a fit analogy, he noted that
“Landscape moves us in a manner more nearly analogous to the action of music than anything else.” At another time, in a similar vein, he wrote that “the chief end of a large park is an effect on the human
organism by an action of what it presents to view, which action, like that of music, is of a kind that goes back of thought, and cannot be fully given the forms of words” (Beveridge and Rocheleau 1995).
A great deal of criteria must be analyzed before a design project is successfully implemented. Site
analysis is a method of examination that allows the designer to realize the buildout potential of a
site and uncovers the problem areas or constraints on a particular site. Following are the typical
criterion associated with developing a regional park such as the Lorena Regional Park and
Greenway System.
3.1 Region Context
The City of Lorena, Texas is located 13 miles south of Waco, Texas and 21 miles north of Temple,
Texas. The city limits encompass 2.13 square miles and is to be substantially increased with the
inception of the proposed comprehensive master plan.
3.2 Demography
Demographically, Lorena is well-educated, young and Caucasian. The average age of Lorena
residents is 30 years with approximately 36% of the population being 20 years of age.
3.3 Land Use
The City of Lorena is in the process of adopting a comprehensive master plan to try and mitigate
“suburban sprawl.” The proposed park and greenway system land is under public and private
ownership. A 187 acre track of land adjacent to the Lorena I.S.D. and Ten Oaks Plantation is the
proposed site for the new Lorena Regional Park. The Greenway System is land within the 100/500
year flood plain along Cow Bayou and is privately owned.
The historical use of this land was crop land and open grass prairie. Currently the land is being
utilized in the same way, although future development is, and will continue destroy this land if not
protected through the conservation and preservation efforts outlined in the Comprehensive Master
Plan being developed.
III. Site AnalysisIII. Site Analysis
Lorena, TXLorena, TX 88
3. 1 Regional Context
3. 2 Demography
3. 3 Land Use
The topography within the project site area has a slope of generally less than 5% except certain
areas of the drainage channels where the percentage of slope increases to 7-10 percent. The
natural drainage pattern is from the north to south and ultimately drains into Cow Bayou which is
located south of the proposed Regional Park and Greenway System.
The overall gentle slope within the project site lends itself to the specific component facilities
proposed for the Park and Greenway System. The gentle slopes allow for active recreational court
games to be easily constructed without too much cut and fill which saves time and money. Other
component facilities or features within the Park such as the Amphitheater and Retention Pond are
also sited to conform to the natural landform. Again, by positioning facilities to cause the least
amount of disruption to the natural environment is of utmost importance. By doing so, the
indigenous land characteristic is maintained and the existing eco-system has a better chance of
survival.
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3.4 Topography
The project site area is within an 850 acre watershed. The primary tributary within the project site is
Cow Bayou. Cow Bayou is a significant drainage channel and is within the 100 and 500 year flood
plain. (The 500 year floodplain means there is a .2 percent chance of inundation in any given year.
The 100 year floodplain means there is a .1 percent chance of inundation in any given year.)
The flood plain area is prime land for animal migration and habitat and serves as a natural
repository for surface water runoff allowing potential toxins within the water to percolate into the
ground and not flow freely in our water system. The flood plain is an area that is generally not
developed with permanent structures due to potential flooding. However, a flood plain can be
utilized as recreational space and contribute immensely to the overall aesthetic characteristics
within a community.
3. 5 Flood Plain
Dissolved substances, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and toxins, entering a vegetated stream
corridor are primarily controlled from entering the channel and reducing water quality by friction,
root absorption, clay and soil organic matter; these in turn are most effectively provided by wide
corridor of dense natural vegetation.
Contact with plant stems and litter slows water movement
Plant roots absorb dissolved substances prior to reaching the stream
Clay particles hold dissolved substances
Soil organic matter absorbs dissolved substances
To maintain natural processes a stream corridor must maintain an interior upland habitat on both
sides, which is wide enough to control dissolved-substance inputs from the matrix; provides a
conduit for upland interior species; and offers suitable habitat for floodplain species; displaced by
beaver flooding or lateral channel migration.
To maintain natural processes a stream corridor must maintain an interior upland habitat on both
sides, as a conduit for upland interior species and species displaced by lateral channel migration.
In addition, maintaining at least a “ladder-pattern” of large patches crossing the floodplain provides
a hydrologic sponge, traps sediment during floods, and provides soil organic matter for the aquatic
food chain, logs for fish habitat, and habitats for rare floodplain species.
(Landscape Ecology Principles-Dramstad, Olson, and Forman. 1996)
Lorena, TXLorena, TX 1010
There are fourteen soil series (Stephen, Austin, Houston Black, Eddy, Sunev, Fairlie Lewisvile,
Branyon, Frio, Dams, Mclennan, Ovan, Lott and Tinn) within the Lorena City Limits. The residential and
commercial districts are located predominantly in the Stephen and partially in the Fairlie and Austin
series.
The native soils are primarily clay base. Clay base soils are conducive to extreme and immediate
surface water runoff leading to flashfloods. Beyond the danger of being trapped within a flashflood,
erosion of the vital topsoil occurs leading to a ground surface unsuitable for vegetation growth, habitat
or mitigation of the deleterious effects of forceful and often toxic surface water runoff.
Soil is one component which supports life on our planet. It holds the nutrients and water that nourish
microscopic organisms within the soil structure which produce the base elements essential to plant and
animal production and regeneration. Soil organisms are crucial to the chemical conversion and physical
transfer of essential nutrients to higher plants. Fertile soil is a result of hundreds, if not thousands of
processes working in a symbiotic relationship, I.e. the vertebrate animals foraging and leaving organic
matter to be digested by the microscopic organisms within the soil which ultimately produces the
nutrients absorbed through the root system for healthy plant growth. The nutrient cycle has to work in
both directions for a healthy and sustainable environment to exist. Any change to an existing healthy
eco-system by the infiltration of toxins, soil erosion or a change in the water cycle will disrupt and
perhaps totally destroy a pristine and lush landscape that has reached equilibrium.
At present, the land proposed for the recreational Greenway System is a mature riparian zone (Cow
Bayou) including a 300 foot buffer zone on each side of the center line stream channel. Just outside
this fertile zone are numerous agriculture crops and open
3. 6 Soil Analysis land with minimal vegetation. The existing land proposed for the Regional park is generally open land with minimal vegetation and a secondary riparian zone which feeds into Cow Bayou to the south and a
few agriculture crops.
Typical vegetation within the overall project site are indigenous to the Blackland Prairies: Pecan, Black hickory, Black Walnut, Sycamore, Burr oak, Eastern cottonwood, Post oak, Persimmon, Wax myrtle,
Buckeye, Mexican plum, Sugarberry, Green ash, Flameleaf sumac, Green hawthorne, Black cherry, American elderberry, Bald cypress and Buttonbush.
In summary, the proposed sites selected for the Greenway System and Regional Park have been specifically chosen in a effort to conserve as much of the natural environment as possible for preservation,
recreation and aesthetic purposes. The location of the Greenway System and Regional Park have also been selected based on the Comprehensive Master Plan and the projected growth patterns and
needs of the community. The Greenway System and Regional Park are centrally located to provide the connectivity and alternative transportation needs to the community’s many different points of
interests.
By acquiring and maintaining these natural environments as well as, reestablishing native vegetation to particular crop land, Lorena will have comfort in knowing that their community will be contributing to
and protecting its natural heritage for future generations, while providing a means for outdoor recreation, education, health, and community association.
Natural Prairie As HabitatView of A Typical Agriculture Fields
Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
PlateLorena, Texas
Regional Map
Lorena is located:
13 miles south of Waco
107 miles south of Dallas
220 miles northwest of Houston
McLennan County
Waco
Lorena
El Paso
Houston
Dallas
San Antonio
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Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
PlateProject Site
City of LorenaLorena Regional
Park
Greenway System
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Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
PlateLocal Context
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RegionalParkSite
Lorena I.S.D.Downtown
Lorena
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Gateway
Trails
Nature Study Areas
Entrances
Historical Sites
Greenway Boundary
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Gateway
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Greenway System
Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
Plate
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Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
Plate
Five Hundred Year Flood Zone One Hundred Year Flood Zone0 500 1000 1500
FEMA Map5
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Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
Plate
0-1 % Slope 1-4 % Slope 4-8 % Slope 4-10 % Slope 4-15 % Slope Broken Land
(Bl) Catalpa Soil Material-Recent Alluvium
(Ea) Eddy Gravelly Clay Loam
(Ha) Hortman-Axtell Fine Sandy Loams
(Hh) Houston Clay/(Ah) Austin Silty Clay
(Af)&(Ag) Austin Silty Clay/(Ae) Austin-Eddy Gravelly Clay Loams
(Be) Bell Clay/(Cc)Catalpa Clay Loam
Soil Map6
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4.1 Design Goals and Objectives
The overall view of the Greenway System, Lorena Regional Park and Gateway is an effort to preserve, maintain and promote the natural environment
and heritage of the local community. In recognizing the value of the natural environment, Lorena, in adopting a Comprehensive Community Master
Plan, is making great strides in creating a “sense of place” for generations to come. Following is a list of goals and objectives to help clarify the intent
of the proposed Greenway System, Lorena Regional Park, and Gateway.
Greenway / Goal:
Preserve and maintain the natural environment for the local community.
Objective:
Annex a significant portion of the healthy natural environment, specifically along the riparian zones to preserve and maintain habitat for the
natural beauty, education opportunity and recreational activities. By preserving this sensitive eco- system, Lorena will be actively promoting an
overall healthy and aesthetically pleasing community which will reflect the community’s sensitivity in preserving their local heritage.
Goal:
Establish connectivity for animal migration, habitat, and community mobility.
Objective:
Habitat connectivity is paramount in sustaining a healthy eco-system. Animal migration is necessary to sustain the natural processes
within the plant and animal community. Connectivity provides a safe conduit through diverse natural environments and encourages diversity of plant
and animal species. Connectivity via a greenway system also allows the local and surrounding communities to enjoy their natural environment up
close…as a pedestrian within…and serves as a recreational space promoting social interaction, appreciation of nature, pedestrian connectivity to local
historical and cultural sites, and serves as an alternate transportation route for local commerce exchange.
IV. Design ProgramIV. Design Program
Lorena, TXLorena, TX 1717
Regional Park / Goal:
Create a significant aesthetically pleasing revenue generating indoor and outdoor recreational facility that will encourage local and regional
use throughout the year, as well as provide a stimulus for local economic growth.
Objective:
Locate the regional park in a area that Is adjacent to the Lorena I.S.D. to promote a symbiotic relationship in funding and use. Current and
future single family housing developments are also adjacent to the propose park site as is the proposed “Creekside” District that will serve as
a mixed-use community. The park is to become a major node within the extensive Greenway System and through the utilization of the alternate
transportation route, the park will provide easy access to the Lorena Downtown District.
The park will feature multiple activities and cultural venues such as an active sports recreational complex to include softball, soccer, football,
tennis, basketball, pitch and putt golf, badminton, and a skate park. A passive recreational space is provided for strolling, bicycling, jogging, free-
play sporting events and festivals. The cultural venues will include a library, museum, amphitheater and butterfly sculpture garden. These
venues will encourage the community’s interest in their local history and provide a respectable place for the preservation of the local artifacts.
Too, local and regional artists will have an opportunity to display their work within the park.
Gateway / Goal:
Community identification is the goal of the gateway.
Objective:
The City of Lorena is split in two by a major north-south corridor, Interstate 35. The City’s location is easily accessible but poorly identified
from Interstate 35, which causes thousands of people to drive right past the city without notice.The purpose of the proposed Gateway on both the
north and south Interstate 35 exits is to create a landmark for the City of Lorena in hopes of capturing the public’s attention and to allow for
advanced notification of the impending exit.
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a. Cultural Recreation
The Amphitheater, Butterfly/Sculpture Garden Museum and Library are amenities that will enrich the community and be an attraction for the
surrounding communities as well as tourists. The Amphitheater will provide a forum for plays and different music events. The Library will serve the
local community and adjacent communities. The Museum will serve the local community and tourists and preserve historical records and display
cultural heritage items. The Butterfly/Sculpture Garden will provide a place for the community to stroll, enjoy a multitude of colorful plants, butterflies
and view local artist’s sculptures.
b. Active Recreation
The Active Recreation Complex will provide a variety of sporting activities such as: baseball/softball/Soccer, basketball, tennis, badminton, pitch
and putt golf, and skate park. The Complex is large enough to accommodate state sporting events and tournaments play which will provide an
economic boost to the local community.
c. Trails
The entire perimeter of the park has a pedestrian trial which links-up with the overall Greenway System. In conjunction to the nature trail within the
park, the soft surface natural trail adjoins the Greenway System extending the “nature experience” throughout the City of Lorena.
d. Greenway System
The Greenway System is an effort to preserve the natural environment for the enjoyment and appreciation of the local community as well as
tourists. The Greenway System connects the Regional Park, Downtown Lorena, the Creekside District and surrounding neighborhoods and plays a
vital role in providing habitat for many local and migrating animals. It provides aesthetic
beauty for the community at-large and increases the economic value of the City and adjacent land. The
Greenway System also promotes cleaner water and air because of the appropriate sized “buffer zone”
which provides an opportunity for pollutants in the air and surface water runoff to be drawn into the plants
and soil allowing for a natural “clean-up” conditioning. The Greenway System also cause the surface temperature along the trails to
stay at a tolerable level due to the shade and inherent moisture within the canopy. The stable and moderate surface temperature
also provides the correct water temperature in the natural drainage systems to promote a healthy eco-system allowing flora and
fauna to flourish keeping our “nature experience” alive healthy, and diverse.
Within the Greenway System, a Nature Study Area will be provided allowing the community an
opportunity to learn about their local environmental eco-systems and their responsibilities in
keeping the systems healthy.
The Nature Study Area will have a informational sign system to read and learn about the different
conditions along the Greenway System. Different plant species, habitats and natural conditions and eco-
systems will be specified within the signage.
e. Passive Recreation
It is within this area of the park that one can “get away” and quietly stroll among the native vegetation. Within the Passive
Recreation area is an 8 Station Exercise Trail. The Exercise Trail has a half-mile loop and a quarter-mile loop designated for jogging
or walking; although, the entire trail system may be utilized for longer routes.
f. Festival Area
A significant portion of the Passive Recreation area is left as
“open-space to allow for a variety of festival activities and informal
sporting activities.
g. Nature Study
The trail system winds along Cow Bayou. Cow Bayou has been
altered to provide a retention pond for surface water runoff. The
retention pond serves as a significant and aesthetically pleasing
natural water feature in the park and provides habitat for local
migrating animals.
Lorena, TXLorena, TX 1818
a.Cultural Recreation
b. Active Recreation
c. Trails
d. Greenway System
e. Passive Recreation
f. Festival Area
g. Nature Study
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s4. 2 Regional Park
The design concept for the Lorena Greenway System, Regional Park and Gateway is based on stewardship, conservation, preservation and
heritage. Agriculture is Lorena’s economic heritage and is reflected in each of the three component designs through the planting design, I.e. hedge
row / orchard planting and native grass / hay crop production and harvest.
The Greenway System is an alternate transportation route expanding throughout the city to provide a conduit for animal migration and habitation,
provide positive stormwater management, and encourage outdoor environmental exploration and education. The Greenway System is centered
within the 100 and 500 year floodplain, with a proposed expanded “buffer zone” of 300 feet on either side of the center line stream channel. This
precious and valuable natural riparian zone serves too many natural processes to list them all. But, be assured, if the water becomes contaminated
through commercial development or individual carelessness, the “aftershock” would be very apparent…the microscopic life would cease to exist,
leading to the ultimate demise of natural ecosystem that provides and sustains the bountiful beauty that we all long to be close to and view.
Ultimately, when the animal life dies off or moves out of the area due to encroachment or contamination, plant diversity also withers leaving barren,
unsightly and highly susceptible valuable land to erode…to wash down stream…which, continues the destruction of healthy eco-systems and
habitat. I am of the opinion that the riparian zones are our barometer of a healthy environment and need to be protected first in any comprehensive
master plan.
The value of the Greenway System to the City of Lorena is significant. The Greenway System allows Lorena to preserve its heritage, create outdoor
recreational space (natural and man-made), and provide connectivity between major nodes within the city, I.e. Downtown District, Historical Sites,
Regional Park, Creekside District and neighborhoods. The Greenway System is to become an alternate transportation route throughout the city and
ultimately “link-up” with adjacent communities extending the preserved land, recreational space, natural beauty and habitat.
V. Design ConceptV. Design Concept
Lorena, TXLorena, TX 1919
5.1 Greenway System
Gateway
Gateway
Interstate 35
Trails
Nature Study Areas
Entrances
Greenway Boundary
RegionalParkSite
Lorena I.S.D.
DowntownLorena
Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
Plate
Trails
Nature Study Areas
Entrances
Greenway Boundary
Gateway
Gateway
Greenway System
Interstate 35
7
RegionalParkSite
Lorena I.S.D.
DowntownLorena
2020
Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
Plate8
Greenway SystemPerspectives
View of nature study area
2121
The purpose of the Regional Park is to provide a functional, aesthetic, and revenue generating outdoor recreational space reflecting the heritage of
the region, for the local and regional community to enjoy. The park has been designed around three use areas; Active Recreation, Passive
Recreation and Cultural Recreation. The different areas furnish a variety of outdoor experiences, but consolidate like activities establishing a
harmonious experience for the patrons.
The cultural center is a hub for the park administration, city’s library, museum, amphitheater and butterfly / sculpture garden and is the anchor of the
Regional Park. The cultural recreational area consists of the park administration and maintenance, museum, library, amphitheater, butterfly /
sculpture garden, open space, picnic pavilions and parking areas. This area will allow the City of Lorena to preserve its artifacts and present a
venue for local and regional artist to show their work within the library, museum and sculpture garden. As in all of the use areas, the layout of the
component features was based on the natural topography and how the natural landscape accommodates and/or enhances each design feature.
The amphitheater has been situated to take advantage of the natural slope of the existing environment eliminating excess cut and fill and utilizes the
butterfly / sculpture garden and mature riparian zone as a backdrop. The butterfly / sculpture garden has been placed in close proximity to the
natural riparian zone to create a conducive environment for butterfly habitat and to take advantage of the backdrop of the mature trees. The
relationship of the butterfly / sculpture garden and the amphitheater is symbiotic, each supports the other without duplication through parking,
restroom facilities and public gathering space. The administration and maintenance facility has been sited on a high point within the park just off the
main street loop and across the street from the amphitheater. This position allows for overflow parking to be supplied by the amphitheater for special
events within the administration facility.
The passive recreational area is the portion of the park that is best suited for the nature lover. It is the area that has extensive sinuous and looping
paths for those who wish to walk, ride bikes or jog in nature. Other amenities within this area are the festival grounds-rich with native grasses, a
major portion of the retention pond-which provides habitat for indigenous creatures in the park and provides storage area for surface water runoff, an
overflow soft-surface parking area and an eight station exercise course.
Lorena, TXLorena, TX 2222
5.2 Regional Park
In allowing the natural terrain to dictate how this area could best be preserved and utilized, I chose to preserve the natural environment and alleviate
undue disturbance to the existing healthy ecosystem providing an opportunity to view and enjoy the native landscape and habitat. This area also
provides multiple picnic pavilions.
The active recreational area has multiple fields and court sporting activities such as: 4-soccer/football fields, 2-softball, 5-tennis courts, 5-basketball
courts, and 8-badminton courts, one skate park with multiple runs and shoots, and a par 3 pitch and putt golf course. Parking is also provided.
This area is the most formal of the three. The decision to develop the active recreational area in this location was based on the existing topography.
The overall slope in this area is minimal making it a perfect fit for the active recreational sport facilities…ultimately cutting construction costs through
minimal cut and fill demands. The active recreation area also has open-space and picnic pavilions. Two pathways are within this area. First is a
hard-surface pathway provided for direct access to each of the sports facilities. Second, is a continuation of the soft-surface trail that meanders
throughout the entire park and circles the perimeter boundary in this particular area.
The vehicular circulation within the park is primarily a loop. The main entrance is located on the west side of the park, flows through the cultural
recreation area and exits at the secondary entrance located at the south side of the park. The loop accommodates pedestrian circulation via a bike
lane. This bike lane connects to the extensive pedestrian trail system within the park which ultimately connects to the City’s Greenway System.
The pedestrian circulation is extensive within the park in the form of soft surface trails which circle the entire perimeter of the park to provide a
continuous pathway for walking, biking or jogging. Within the more formal area of the park, the active recreation area, and portions of the cultural
recreation area, a hard surface pathway is provided to ease the mobility from parking area to various venues,I.e. sporting, picnic pavilions,
amphitheater, museum, library and administration areas.
Seven-hundred parking spaces are conveniently located throughout the park. An overflow soft-surface lot accommodating 200 spaces is located
adjacent to the festival area. The remaining parking areas are hard-surface and are located adjacent to the administration/library/museum building,
amphitheater complex and within the active recreation area.
The planting design concept for the regional park is based on Lorena’s agriculture heritage and is reflected in the “crop row,” “hedge row,” and “orchard” style planting of the trees within the
cultural and active recreational areas, creating a formal and organized appearance to the surroundings. The passive recreational area has a more organic planting design and relies on the
open-space native grass fields to reflect the agricultural heritage of the city. Both agricultural planting concept allows the local residents and visitors to be reminded of where Lorena’s roots
are based.
The intent of the regional park is to create a “sense of place” for the residents of Lorena. The regional park will encourage ownership and pride in the local community. It will provide a forum
for education and stimulate regional interest in Lorena’s heritage and it will provide an avenue for conservation and preservation of Lorena’s past. The park will be utilized and appreciated by
all generations and will serve as habitat and teacher.
The overall experience one might have within the park is varied. Opportunity exists for a quiet walk along the bayou, an early morning jog along a meandering path as the sun rises and filters
through the tree canopies, a picnic in a pastoral setting, or perhaps being a participant or
spectator at a tournament sporting event, or perhaps, just sitting back with family and friends listening to your favorite music
and watching the stars emerge as the sun sets and the stage lights come up within the amphitheater. A plethora of experiences
are available to be enjoyed within the regional park, creating happy memories that will last a lifetime.
Lorena, TXLorena, TX 2323
Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
PlateLorena Regional ParkTopography
North
9
LorenaRegional
ParkSite
LorenaI.S.D.
DowntownLorena
LorenaRegional
ParkSite
LorenaI.S.D.
DowntownLorena
2424
Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
PlateLorena Regional Park Zones
Passive Recreation
Active Recreation
Cultural Recreation
North
10
LorenaRegional
ParkSite
LorenaI.S.D.
DowntownLorena
2525
Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
PlateLorena Regional ParkIllustrative Plan
North
11
Festival Open Space
Section BB
Section AA
Maintenance
Administration BuildingLibrary
Museum
Amphitheater
Butterfly/Sculpture Garden
Open Space
Pitch & Putt CoursePar 3
Skate Park
Picnic & Tot Lot Area
Parking
LorenaRegional
ParkSite
LorenaI.S.D.
DowntownLorena
2626
Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
PlateLorena Regional ParkPerspectives 12
View of open space and retention pond
View of active recreation area
2727
Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
PlateLorena Regional ParkSections 13
2828
WoodlandFieldWoodlandRetention PondWoodlandPathLawnPathOpen FieldPathEx. St.
Field
Open FieldService RoadAmphitheaterStreetWalkway
Section BB
Section AA
Parking
The park will be developed in several phases. The proposed phase plan is developed with consideration of the immediate priorities of the
community needs, feasibility of construction sequence and the relationship of the park development and economic growth.
The Regional Park will be implemented in four phases over a ten year period. The first phase of development will be the Cultural Recreational area.
This phase serves as an anchor for the future park development by providing the infrastructure that will support the future phases. It is my belief,
that by having this component constructed first, Lorena will be able to provide multiple venues for economic growth ventures by hosting a diversity of
events within the amphitheater, library, museum and picnic and open space areas. This phase should be completed within 1-3 years.
Phase two will expand the nature experience within the park through a pedestrian trail system. Within this phase is the Passive Recreational area
and has within it the Festival area. This phase is important to be second in the overall implementation because of the economic growth brought forth
by having the ground area and parking for large scale regional festival activities. This phase provides an extensive soft surface trail system for
walking, bicycling or jogging. Also within this phase is an 8 station exercise jogging path. Implementation will be between 3-5 years.
Phase three will provide multiple multi-field sports venues. This phase will again contribute to the overall economic growth in Lorena by allowing
regional and state tournament sporting events to be hosted in the City of Lorena. Two softball fields and four football/soccer fields are featured
within this phase. This phase will be implemented over a 5-7 year period.
The fourth and final phase will complete the Active Recreational area and will provide traditional multiple court sporting venues as well as a skate
park and pitch and putt golf course. Because this phase will be coming at the end of the park development, I felt the recreational activities within this
area could perhaps be altered if the trends in outdoor recreational sports changes over
Lorena, TXLorena, TX 2929
Phasing
the approximate 10 year park development. Allowing this phase to be changed based on current trends would accommodate the true needs and
desires of the region at the time. Although the traditional sports venues have been proven to be effective in active recreational outdoor activities,
times change and so do peoples attitudes as well as the demographics. This last phase, based on the current components is estimated to be
completed within a 7-10 year time frame.
Phase OnePhase Two
Phase Three
Phase Four
Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
Plate
North
Lorena Regional ParkPhasing Plan
Phase One
Phase Two
Phase Three
Phase Four
14
LorenaRegional
ParkSite
LorenaI.S.D.
DowntownLorena
3030
Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
PlateGateway Zone
LorenaRegional
ParkSite
LorenaI.S.D.
LorenaDowntown
Interstate35
Gateway
Gateway
3232
15
Lorena, TXLorena, TX 3131
The Gateway has been designed with a particular crop in mind, cotton. Lorena’s past economic sustainability is portrayed through the use of the
cotton ball motif which has been incorporated in the I-35 overpass / bridge lamp posts and lighted sculpture positioned at each exist designating the
entrance into the City of Lorena. The lamp posts and sculptures vertical structures are reminiscent of the cotton plant support structure and is to be
constructed from a “rusty” colored cortin steel product, reiterating the natural color of the crop.
The purpose of the Gateway is to create an and identity for the City of Lorena and an immediate impact upon vehicular traffic traveling north and
south on Interstate 35. The intent of the new Gateway design is to allow passersby to establish an immediate association with the City of Lorena as
a progressive small town that respects its heritage, which is delineated within the Gateway by the materials used and the “cotton ball” motif in the
lamps and sculpture. The Gateway becomes a landmark and a “sign post” designating Lorena’s edge.
The new Gateway is not only a beacon for travelers, but also, an invitation to everyone to come “into” Lorena and enjoy the ambience of their small
town.
5.3 Gateway Improvement
Existing Gateway
Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
College Station, Texas
Target Cities Program
Lorena, Texas
Designed/Drawn by:
Diane Johnson
PlateGateway Perspectives16
View of gateway
View of bridge from Interstate 35
3333
Lorena, TXLorena, TX 3434
DiscussionDiscussion
Because of the nature of this project, specifically that it is a final project in an academic endeavor with time constraints, there are limitations in the
research and peripheral data collected. This project began as a process to create an identity for the City of Lorena and to enrich the quality of life for
its residents. The data collected was based only on the needs of the City of Lorena. Before implementation of this project takes place, other data
would need to collected by way of questionnaires, public meetings and communications with adjacent public and private organizations who would
be involved in the decision making process for a regional project.
I am confident that the overall Comprehensive Master Plan, including the Downtown Redevelopment and the Greenway and Park System, is the
most appropriate solution for the needs of Lorena at this time to produce the quality of life for which it is seeking to establish and maintain for
generations to come. It is my opinion, that if Lorena implements the Greenway System and Regional Park, their quality of life and economic pursuits
will be immensely enriched.
The beauty of small town America is the inherent sense of “neighborhood” and ownership. As the economic structure of our world broadens, the
impact to the American small towns or “neighborhoods” has been devastating. Under the guise of convenience, America has watch its small towns
decline and become social icons of a disposable society where new is always better, no matter what the consequences are to the land or social
fabric of a community.
Lorena is taking a major step in stopping this negative impact from devouring its “sense of place” by seeking out conscientious professionals who
understand how important the natural environment is to a local community’s quality of life and as a resource to attract new business. The value of
this Comprehensive Master Plan is immeasurable. This Plan reflects the value that Lorena places on its land and all inhabitants. Lorena will
establish itself as a leader by adopting the Comprehensive Master Plan and set an example for neighboring communities to follow.
The lessons learned in the development of this project, is the value of land…not only to the individual, but also to a community and ultimately to the
world. We live on a finite planet, with finite resources which are to be treasured and valued beyond monetary gain. I have learned to appreciate the
economics of our land value through planning and what impact this has on a community’s economic sustainability and growth. I have been made
aware of the differing points of view people have as to what establishes “quality of life” for them. To me, it begins with the clean air we breath, the
fresh water we drink and food that we cultivate from our ever shrinking healthy land mass we call home…given to us to respect and to protect, to be
a steward of, in perpetuity.
Lorena, TXLorena, TX 3535
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