PERCEIVED RISK AND THE SITING OF A CONTROVERSIAL ...

families on the traditional, Sunday afternoon drive who wish to spend quiet time in the
country.
The negotiated settlement provides that 40 acres of the 243 will be dedicated for
99 years to a future park with community recreational facilities (see Appendix G, page
3). According to the county commissioner, Kelly Snell, the park will serve as a “county
precinct park” and be located upstream from the wastewater treatment plant (Gonzalez,
2009). It is part of the 2010 county wide master park plan adopted by the
commissioner’s court and recommends a park that will include a sports complex, a
playground, concession stands, recreational vehicle spaces, a fishing area, horseback
trails, hike and bike trails, a water sports area, camping facilities, and picnic areas
(Mundo and Associates, 2010). Although the Bull Hide site was not identified as the
future park in the plan, the 40 acres has been designated.
A recreational area adjacent to the creek was insisted upon by stakeholders who
were concerned that the plant site would be used as a future regional landfill. This
possibility was conveyed to the author by the staff member at the Heart of Texas Council
of Governments in charge of regional solid waste planning but the City of Waco denied
the allegation on the grounds they projected 15 years remaining space in their landfill.
An employee in the solid waste division of TCEQ, however, told the author that while
Waco had 15 years capacity remaining in 2009, the six county region was expected to
reach landfill capacity before 2018 (Mann, 2008).
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