By Julie Thibodeaux. Photos by Phillip Shinoda. Aug. 29, 2013
Local environmental advocates celebrated at a downtown watering hole Wednesday night after the Dallas City Council finally put an end to a request by Trinity East Energy to drill on public parkland.
Environmentalists are riding a wave of optimism this week after the Dallas City Plan Commission confirmed it has included a 1,500-foot setback in the new gas drilling ordinance being drafted by the city.
A coalition of supporters is lobbying to keep a little bit of country in the city. Merriwood Ranch is a horse riding facility and summer camp in Garland that’s been in operation since 1956. The 28-acre property was put up for sale this year by heirs after the owner and founder of Merriwood died last year. A developer has purchased the property and wants to build about 40 homes on the land.