Amenities
The 13-acre site offers unique location and topography, located on the east bank of Upper White Rock Creek. The topography of the site is gently rolling, with an overall elevation change of 45 feet. Trees are diverse and numerous, including live oaks, cedar elms, pecans, bois d'arc, mesquites, and willows.
Common green spaces are located strategically to provide exposure to green space for all residents. The entrance to Urban Reserve crosses The Ravine, preserved as open space with a small pond. At the other end of Urban Reserve is a small park forming a jumping-off place for hikers and bikers to the White Rock Creek Trail, slightly more than four miles north of White Rock Lake. From the trailhead it will eventually be possible to access the entire 35 miles of the North Texas trails system, including the Trinity River Corridor.
Vanguard Way, as the only street within Urban Reserve, plays a key role in the organization and concept of the overall development. While it is a public street, Vanguard nevertheless is a unique manifestation of the Urban Reserve spirit, designed as an example of sustainability in its own right. The Vanguard right of way, along with the front yards of lots on both sides, forms a streetscape zone subdivided into areas with a unique ecological intent.
The "dry" side of Vanguard Way is planted with drought-tolerant desert willows. The "wet" side includes stormwater-filtering rain gardens planted with pond and bald cypress and horsetail reeds, tolerant of both wet and dry conditions. The two pond systems collect rainwater and provide a source for the front-yard irrigation system as well as a soothing vista.
In keeping with a movement to restore the night sky, streetlights at Urban Reserve are designed to reflect light downward. Lights installed on individual properties follow guidelines designed to ensure minimal contribution to sky glow and light intrusion.
How We're Green
Urban Reserve is Dallas's first low-impact development. We are committed to sustainable architecture, which uses less of our natural resources and causes little or no harm to the world around it and to those within it.
- Development retained the existing topography
- Design guidelines require houses to be at least 20% more energy efficient than current code requirements.
- Front yards and common areas are planted with native and adaptive, low-water-use plants.
- Irrigation is accomplished with rainwater runoff stored on site in ponds.
- Rain gardens filter runoff from streets.
- 22-foot-wide street minimizes impervious pavement.
- Close access to DART line and White Rock Trail facilitates alternative use of transportation.
