The Trinity Trees area is an eight-acre grove of old-growth trees located in Fort Worth along the Trinity River Hike and Bike Trail just upstream from the Rogers Road bridge and north across the Trinity River from Colonial Country Club. Thousands of trail users have enjoyed this peaceful slice of nature for years, and many believe this to be the most beautiful stand of trees along the entire trail system.

Above, Aerial Photo of Trinity Trees

Other Aerial Photos
Photos from the Ground
Map Showing Location of Trees

“The eight-acre tree grove provides one of the most tranquil environments along the Trinity River Trail system. It is an irreplaceable treasure that, once lost, will forever change the trail user’s experience in that area.”
— Fort Worth Councilwoman Wendy Davis

THE PROBLEM

With the trail winding through the grove, park benches, signs and tax-funded maintenance, many assumed this parcel of land was a public park. But, in fact, it was private property and was purchased by Chesapeake Energy in January 2007 for a gas well drilling pad site.

Chesapeake’s original plans called for clear-cutting 2.5 acres of the 8.33 acre grove.

A photo slide show created by WFAA TV provides an overview of the Trinity Trees issue.

“I think it would be a sacrilege to cut down those trees, as well as being environmentally disastrous.”
— Margaret Frazier,

THE RESPONSE

Many in the community responded in opposition to Chesapeake’s plans and formed the Trinity Trees coalition that spread the word about the potential damage to the grove of trees and

1. Launched www.trinitytrees.org in July 2007.
2. Distributed thousands of fliers.
3. Secured more than 1200 petition signatures.
4. Gathered donations to run two full-page ads in the Star-Telegram.
5. Brought people together at a Labor Day picnic in the eight-acre grove.
6. Held a public forum attended by more than 400 people. (Blog summary)
7. Received extensive press coverage.
8. Presented the concerns and an alternative solution to the Mayor and City Council.
9. Overall, raised the awareness about this issue to a point that the City of Fort Worth and Chesapeake Energy listened and responded to the community’s concerns.

THE RESULTS

1. Chesapeake altered its plans.
2. Chesapeake secured permission from Union Pacific to locate part of its drilling equipment on Union Pacific property. The alternative plan proposed by the Trinity Trees group was to relocate the entire drilling site to UP property.
3. Current plans call for the pad site to be reduced from 2.5 to 1.4 acres, saving an additional 1.1 acres of the 8.33 acre tree grove. The reduced pad site plan can be seen here:
Revised Chesapeake site plan map Revised pad site survey
4. The perimeter tree planting surrounding the pad site is being greatly enhanced following a revised landscape plan with 268 new trees ranging from 5 to 14 feet in height.
5. Chesapeake has committed to donate $500,000 to the City tree farm.

THE REACTIONS

Although the entire eight acres are not going to be preserved, it is important to note that the diligent efforts of the Trinity Trees supporters did get the attention of Chesapeake and the City of Fort Worth and produced some definite improvements.

The Star-Telegram reported on the drilling permit being issued to Chesapeake and reactions in an October 10, 2007, article.

The awareness of the potential negative impacts of urban gas drilling on the quality of life of the community has been greatly increased. The City of Fort Worth is considering revisiting its gas drilling ordinance. Citizens are encouraged to express their support of this action to their elected officials.

An October 10, 2007, Fort Worth Weekly Letter to the Editor reflects the views of some of the Trinity Tree supporters.

After the City granted Chesapeake a high impact drilling permit, State Representative Lon Burnam sent a letter on October 10, 2007, to Richard Varela, Executive Director of the Railroad Commission of Texas. He requested a public meeting over the drilling permit for the Trinity Trees site.

Attorney Jason Smith, representing Melissa Kohout, filed a lawsuit October 24, 2007, asking a district court judge to block the city’s gas drilling permit for the Trinity Trees site. Smith and Kohout argue that the city violated its own drilling ordinance when it granted the permit to Chesapeake Energy. The city gave Chesapeake a high-impact drilling permit, which is required for drilling near homes, schools, churches and parks, even though the company didn’t apply for one. More information can be found in the October 25, 2007, Star-Telegram article about the suit.

THE REMAINDER

Many other critical green spaces will be threatened by gas drilling or development. Trinity Trees supporters are encouraged to channel their passion and rally support for all of the irreplaceable treasures of Tarrant County. Here are two:

Lake Worth Perimeter

Learn more about hundreds of acres of City-owned, undeveloped land around Lake Worth at the Lake Worth Alliance website.

Tandy Hills Nature Area

This 180-acre undeveloped prairie is located just three miles east of downtown Fort Worth and has more than 540 native plant species.

An article from FW Weekly provides an overview of this relatively unknown natural area. A great blog tour provides a virtual hike through the area. The annual Tandy Hills Prairie Fest is held here in the spring of each year to promote the preservation and connection to the natural world through music, art, dance, education and wildflower tours.