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Debate over DORBA trail plan exposes split between safety concerns and recreation goals
Summary
Council discussed a DORBA memorandum to build mountain‑bike trails on city land; supporters highlighted youth programming and low‑impact construction, while staff and some council members cited safety, capacity and engineering concerns and said DORBA withdrew its request from the parks board.
The Rowlett City Council on Monday heard a divided debate over a proposed memorandum of understanding with DORBA to build and steward mountain‑bike trails on city property between Main Street and Miller Heights.
Miles Hanson, a local coach for the NICA interscholastic mountain‑biking program, urged the council to revive the proposal and said new trails would provide a nearby, higher dry‑site for youth programs, scholarships and school engagement. He said the proposal would expand access for Rowlett, Garland and Rockwall students.
Opponents at the meeting and on the parks board raised safety and operational concerns. One council member and residents said the proposed alignment crossed disc‑golf areas and parking choke points, and argued the green space is an important multi‑use public area. 'It's not safe,' one councilor said, citing line‑of‑sight and high‑speed biking in proximity to walkers and disc‑golf players.
City staff described extensive back‑and‑forth with DORBA and said the original MOU was revised multiple times. Staff said the city’s engineer (referred to in the meeting as Mr. Schatz) reviewed the alignment and raised safety concerns, and staff offered alternative locations such as Money Creek Park, which DORBA declined. Staff emphasized that their review was not obstructionist but based on operational priorities and safety evaluation.
Proponents said DORBA’s packet included engineering drawings, sight‑line mitigations, bridges for low spots, erosion control measures, and an app‑based stewardship model that would allow trail closures for special events. Council members suggested staff could bring DORBA back after a 'cooling off' period and asked for more detailed engineering analysis if the group returns.
No final decision was made. Council members who favor reviving the project urged staff to continue dialog with DORBA and for the organization to present directly to the full council and parks board so council can assess the MOU on the record.
