Planning studio recognized for Kennedale project

Tuesday, Jan 31, 2017

2017 Texas APA Mid West Section Student Award

Kennedale Parks Master Plan Update

The Parks and Open Space Recreation Master Plan for the City of Kennedale prepared by students in PLAN 5332 Planning Studio Project, under the direction of Prof. Jim Parajon, won the 2017 Texas APA Mid West Section Student Award.

The project updated the Kennedale's current Parks and Recreation Master Plan to achieve the City's vision reflected in its motto “You’re here, your home.” It offers guidance for natural preservation including watersheds and Village Creek tributaries and for park and open space development. It considers the historic aspect of the railway system that was the basis of the city’s establishment and provides recommendations for parks and open space that are aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable across generations, from senior citizens to young toddlers. Further advancing the City’s position as a regionally recognized livable city, the plan enables Kennedale to continue to create healthy neighborhoods and communities, working with residents, developers and businesses alike to strengthen the City’s social fabric, build identity, and connect the city with greenways and the regional Veloweb proposed by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG).

On April 6th, 2016 the Kennedale Parks and Recreation Board approved the proposed plan and the Master Plan was adopted by the City Council on June 27th, 2016.

TEAM MEMBERS: Jim Parajon (Prof.), Amalio Calderon, Amanda Van Wermeskerken, Athena Seaton, Bilal Caliskan, Daniel Harper, Lashanda Dockery, Leonelle D'Souza, Minesha Reese, Somayeh Moazzeni.