The City of Laredo Parks and Recreation Department seeks to secure funding to implement the Chacon Creek 10 Year Master Plan at a cost of approximately $36 million for the purpose of providing flood control, natural habitat conservation and linear park development.

The creek is a tremendous natural resource for Laredo with economic, recreational and educational potential, but a history of neglect, and illegal dumping of materials and debris mask this potential. Carter & Burgess, a strategic consulting firm, prepared a multi-objective master plan, which defined the creek’s 100-year floodplain, proposed targeted channel improvements to relieve flooding, maintain the overall natural character of the waterway, and add needed passive/active recreation facilities. Rather than build a 200-foot-wide concrete channel over the entire 4.5 miles of the corridor, as was suggested in a previous study, Carter & Burgess proposed targeted terraced channel enlargements over a much shorter distance – less than 4,000 feet – which would accentuate green spaces, preserve the creek’s natural course and minimize impact on wildlife and wetlands, while providing the most cost effective flood mitigation. These channel improvements require the removal of approximately 50 homes located in the 100-year flood plain. However, upon completion of the proposed improvements, the reduction in 100-year floodplain elevation will remove approximately 250 homes from the floodplain. Workshops and public hearings were conducted and helped answer citizens’ questions about the master plan and other issues, while including the public in the design process.

The proposal also addressed leisure and cleanup issues. Laredo city leaders envision the creek offering recreational, educational and economic opportunities. A multi-objective approach would create “people spaces,” while developing amenities, such as a hike and bike trail system and perhaps, a regional park. The plan emphasizes ecosystem restoration, transforming a once-abandoned area littered with tires, barrels and pallets into a year-round attraction for citizens and visitors. In addition, the plan recommends park benches be placed along the routes, creating natural habitat zones to study and admire indigenous vegetation. Similarly, the Chacon Creek project includes enhancing existing babbling brooks and preserving acres of native plants and trees. Developing this natural treasure would generate hundreds of acres of new recreational and educational parklands. Moreover, it would yield important by products, such as eliminating illegal dumpsites, improving water quality and drawing attention to the city’s natural resources.

In 2005 Congress approved $3.3 million dollars in funding through the U.S. Transportation Bill, (TEA –LU) Transportation Equity Act: Legacy for Users to enhance and extend the Chacon Creek trail system, an integral component of the Chacon Creek Master Plan.

State and federal grant funding is essential to implement other critical Master Plan improvements. Funds in the amount of $36 million are being sought to provide the necessary improvements outlined in the 10 Year Master Plan that includes, flood control, habitat conservation and linear park development.

• Environmental Protection Agency
• National Park Service
• U.S. Department of Transportation
• Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Texas Parks and Wildlife
• Army Corps of Engineers