PD133R-CS 990907 . __ __ , ~P.O. Box 478
Coppell,
Texas
75019
/ ,/"~/ /~' The City With A Beautiful Future
214-462-0022
September 7, 1999
Mr. R.L. Fraze
Magnolia Park Company Ltd.
5225 Village Creek Dr.
Suite 400
Plano, TX. 75093
Dear Mr. Fraze,
The City of Coppell Parks and Leisure Services Department has been approached by Mr.
Elvio Bruni of Eastern Development requesting the city accept the development of
Magnolia Park. My staff has inspected this park property and have reported the
following concerns:
1. The slopes of the ~vestern lake are at a 1:1 grade which is entirely too steep for
maintenance and could be a potential liability/safety issue. Grading should be at
a 4:1 slope, minimum.
2. The final grade work of this project is very rough and unacceptable, making it
difficult, if not impossible to plant and/or irrigate the site
3. The entire disturbed area of this park requires stabilization in the form of turf or
other suitable ground cover to prevent soil erosion.
4. Many of the trees planted around the playground are dead or dying. Likewise, the
selection of"Red Cedar" trees for a children's playground is not the best choice
of plant material even if they were to live and we have expressed this to Mr. Bruni
numerous times.
5. The "under-brushing" of the areas adjacent to the trail and the playground are less
than adequate and based upon our experience with other Coppell residents, will
not meet the expectations of your residents
6. The trash cans contain no liners
7. There is only 1 electhc fountain at this time, the landscaper has repeatedly
informed staff that the final fountain would be installed when the western lake
fills with water.
8. The western lake is only a couple of feet deep and is infested with a heavy growth
of algae (while the Iow level of the lake is attributed to the lack of rainfall, the
developer has frequently pumped water from the lake to keep your development's
canal filled). We do have concerns regarding the ability of the lake to hold and
maintain a constant water level
9. Staff is concerned about the area between the park lakes and Denton Creek. This
is aver?' narrow finger of land and we feel there is the potential for this land area
to be breached and/or eroded during times of high water in Denton Creek. Please
provide plans and/or assurances indicating that adequate engineering has been
incorporated to prevent such a breach.
10. Park Signage (Major Park Sign), there is no park sign indicating this is a city
park. We do have specifications for park signs and will be happy to furnish those
as requested.
11. Major excavations have occurred and the majority of the park property has been
stripped of trees and ground cover.
12. Many of the native trees in the park are dying due to changes of grade or
construction around them.
13. Other than the very limited irrigation system located in the small pocket
playground area, there is no irrigation system in this park.
14. The ponds are taking in a considerable amounts of silt.
We have a concern that the new residents to your development will be or are under the
impression that this park property will be "finished" in time with the arrival of new
residents. Specifically, we believe they will be expecting a park with contiguous well-
maintained turf, landscaped with the installation of trees and shrubs and amenities such as
picnic areas or benches along the trail, etc.
We feel that all of the above issues should be addressed soon and especially prior to the
city accepting receipt of this property as a municipal park. Therefore, we request a
meeting regarding these issues as soon as possible. Could you please contact our office
to arrange a meeting within the next two weeks.
Sincerely,
Gary D. Sims, CLP
Director of Parks and Leisure Services
cc: Jim Witt, City Manager
Clay Phillips, Deputy City Manager
Gary Sieb, Director of Planning and City Services
Ken Griffin, City Engineer and Public Wks. Director
Vivyon Bowman, Risk Manager and Human Resources Dir.
Bob Hager, City Attorney