Parkwood homeowners in Harlingen oppose trail project; argue third phase would cut into backyards

HARLINGEN — Some Parkwood subdivision homeowners are standing up against the city’s proposed third phase of the Arroyo Colorado Hike and Bike Trail, arguing the 6-foot-wide asphalt strip would cut across parts of their backyards.

For years, Harlingen officials have been planning to build a 1.1-mile stretch from McKelvey Park to Hugh Ramsey Nature Park as part of a project aimed at connecting the city’s trail system.

Last month, City Commissioner Michael Mezmar, who stands against the project, told commissioners officials have proposed the prospect of imposing the law of eminent domain to acquire land along the planned trail’s path.

Earlier this month, commissioners launched a $216,632 engineering study to help determine the proposed span’s route.

Now, property owner Tony Rodriguez said he’s leading a group of Parkwood homeowners living along the arroyo’s banks who argue the proposed trail would cut through parts of their backyards, exposing them to the threat of crime while destroying a wildlife corridor they say is home to endangered species such as the ocelot.

Fighting the project

In the Parkwood subdivision, Rodriguez said he and some homeowners believe the proposed trail would encroach on parts of their backyards, exposing them to the threat of burglaries while destroying pristine natural habitat.

“I own property to the water’s edge. I don’t want anyone crossing my land,” Rodriguez, owner of TV Rental, said during an interview. “It’s un-American to rob taxpaying Americans of their right to land and home ownership. I’m going to do whatever I can to stop it. There’s no need for the expense and legal ramifications that will come out of it.”

Rodriguez, who bought his home along the arroyo in 2001, said the construction project would destroy swaths of wildlife habitat while claiming he saw an ocelot in his backyard about six months ago.

“This place has not been touched in 100 years,” Rodriguez said, adding his father, former City Commissioner J.J. Rodriguez, built one of the subdivision’s first homes along 25th Street in 1961. “To obliterate the entire ecosystem for a trail is unwarranted.”

Rodriguez also expressed concern the trail would expose the area to the threat of fire.

“There’s a huge possibility that during the dry months someone would throw a lit cigarette and it will all be obliterated,” he said.

Meanwhile, he argued the trail would open the area to the threat of crime.

“It would be a breeding ground for illegal activity with no enforcement whatsoever,” he said. “Drugs could be sold. Once the word gets around, homeless people would stay overnight. If the city goes go through with this, they’re responsible for everything — break-ins, personal attacks. The damage will be permanent. There’s no turning back.”

Warning of habitat destruction, erosion

Along South Parkwood Drive, Derrick Walter also warned the trail could open the area to crime.

“You have people in your backyard — there’s the risk of crime,” Walter, a salesman, said during an interview.

Walter, who also said he saw an ocelot in his backyard, argued the project would destroy wildlife habitat while erosion could threaten homes along the arroyo’s banks.

“You’re ripping out miles of natural forest and landscape that’s home and habitat to different types of species,” he said. “Once you start eroding these banks along the arroyo, you’re going to have so much erosion, you can have erosion all the way to your home.”

Now, some homeowners are building fences along the arroyo’s banks to stop any encroachment, Rodriguez said.

“I’m going to build a fence that will make the border wall look like a weekend project,” he said, referring to the federal government’s wall built along stretches of the U.S.-Mexico border to stop migrants from entering the country.

Hearing property owners’ concerns

Meanwhile, Mayor Norma Sepulveda, who pointed to a city workshop held to allow arroyo homeowners to speak out about the proposed project, said officials are awaiting the findings of the engineering study aimed to help determine the trail’s proposed path.

“We have been very open and transparent and provided them with the opportunity to speak,” she said, referring to the May 1 workshop. “Now we’re going to let the professionals do the study and wait to see what they (propose). Once we have this, then it will go back to the commission.”

Sepulveda said the overall trail project aims to connect the city’s trail system.

“We want to assure we’re promoting our trails and try to connect them all,” she said.

On the commission, Mezmar is standing up against the project, pointing to the proposed imposition of eminent domain to “seize” homeowners’ land.

“This is walkers and bicyclists versus property owners,” he said, referring to some of the project’s supporters and opponents.

Homeowners’ input

Last month, Javier Mendez, the city’s parks director, told commissioners the project could impact about 20 properties along the proposed trail’s path from McKelvey Park to Hugh Ramsey Nature Park.

But Rodriguez said as many as 60 properties stand along the proposed arroyo stretch.

In response to concerns, commissioners requested officials meet with arroyo homeowners.

On May 1, officials met with a group of homeowners during a workshop at City Hall.

Earlier this month, Mendez told commissioners homeowners along Parkwood, Sam Houston and Riverside requested input into the proposed project’s planning.

“For the most part, I think they were OK with us moving forward as long as we include them in the planning part of it,” Mendez said during the meeting.

Background

Now, officials are planning to promote the city’s trail system as an outdoor destination.

In 2000, the city opened the Arroyo Hike and Bike Trail’s first stretch, running 2.1 miles across winding banks, crossing three bridges, from McKelvey Park to Arroyo Park.

Soon, the project’s second phase will extend the trail 1.6 miles, crossing three bridges on its way to Dixieland Park.

The project’s third span is proposed to wind across the trail’s most remote areas, running along the arroyo’s narrower, woodier banks to Hugh Ramsey Nature Park, a site of the World Birding Center, which draws hundreds of eco-tourists every year.

Officials haven’t set the project’s timetable.

The project’s overall goal — to link the city’s parks while also connecting neighborhoods, schools and business areas.

As part of the master plan, officials envision a network of trails connecting the city’s parks and retail centers, linking Texas State Technical College to bicycle lanes while giving birders and nature buffs scenic sites along parts of the World Birding Center at Hugh Ramsey Nature Park.