Top-ranked Planned Community is Characterized by Natural Setting 
{"autoplay":"true","autoplay_speed":"8000","speed":"1000","arrows":"true","dots":"false","loop":"true","nav_slide_column":5,"rtl":"false"}
{"autoplay":"true","autoplay_speed":"8000","speed":"1000","arrows":"true","dots":"false","loop":"true","nav_slide_column":5,"rtl":"false"}

DETAILS

LocationFulshear, Texas United States
ClientTrendmaker Development Company
SizeSite: 3,200 acres, Landscape: 960 acres, Building: 2,240 acres

As urban areas expand, degraded lands robbed of natural resilience and biodiversity often lie in development’s path—presenting both challenges and opportunities. The Flewellen Creek Restoration project transforms a derelict 130-acre ranching ditch into a vibrant 3-mile ecosystem, anchoring the new 3,200-acre Cross Creek Ranch community.

Rooted in biomimicry and fluvial geomorphology, the design re-establishes natural creek dynamics. Reintroduced meanders double the creek’s length, creating a 450 to 600-foot-wide floodplain corridor, which shielded surrounding homes during Hurricane Harvey. A 50-acre polishing pond and water treatment facility feed the creek while filtering community irrigation water.

Indigenous vegetation replaces invasive species, establishing riparian forests, prairie meadows, and water-cleansing wetlands. Wildlife has returned in abundance, with native fish, turtles, and migratory birds thriving among strategically placed habitat structures. The endeavor yields impressive annual results: a 65% decrease in mowing expenses, an 81-ton reduction in fertilizer use, 4 million gallons of drinking water saved, and 184 tons of carbon sequestered per acre.

With 42% of residents living adjacent to the re-naturalized space, multi-use trails, boardwalks, and platforms invite exploration of the ecotones. The Arbor Park Sports Complex and disc golf course nestled amid the natural beauty further enhance daily life in this community. This multi-award-winning project is a paragon of restorative excellence, proving that nature and community can gracefully coexist. It demonstrates how conscientious designers can transform environmental challenges into opportunities, creating sustainable, resilient spaces that benefit both ecosystems and residents.

Related Projects

Kunming Eco-Communities

The concept for the Kunming Eco-Town is based on an understanding of the historical natural processes of the location. The masterplan restores balance in the landscape through sensitive development. In using a watershed planning approach to determine the most sensitive lands and subsequently, where development is appropriate, the issues of a healthy, functioni...

The Cannery

The Cannery is a new pedestrian-friendly neighborhood in the City of Davis that exemplifies the most current and best practices of sustainable community design. Drawing from the agricultural roots of the adjacent landscape, the development emphasizes wellness through the establishment of a comprehensive open-space and recreational system and locally produced f...

Riyadh East Sub-Center

SWA provided comprehensive planning for a new 300-hectare commercial, mixed-use center in northeast Riyadh abutting the KKI Airport. This area is part of an urban management framework being developed to guide the future growth of the city. SWA developed a plan and implementation strategy to establish an urban center comprising residential neighborhoods, corpor...

3Roots

A transformed mining site in Mira Mesa, 3Roots captures San Diego’s innovative spirit, drive, and natural beauty. SWA’s work began with the master plan, including 1,800 new homes, 160,000 square feet of commercial, retail, and office spaces, a five-acre mobility hub, and over 250 acres of parks and open space. The landscape blends the region’s mining her...

Hensley Field Master Plan

Building upon a winning competition entry, SWA is developing a master plan to transform a former Naval Air Station into a premier mixed-use district in southern Dallas. Tasked with crafting an implementable plan that achieves environmental sustainability, economic recovery, and social equity objectives, SWA is working to address the unique challenges of a form...

Mountain House

SWA provided comprehensive master planning services for a new 4,700-acre community located near the foothills of California’s San Joaquin Valley. Envisioned as a sustainable, “smart growth” town located on less productive agricultural land, the community is designed to provide an internal balance of jobs and housing to mitigate traffic impacts. Working for the...

Quail Hill

This mixed-use planned community of over 6,000 people features over 2,000 dwellings in a broad mix of single family detached dwellings, and over 500 multifamily dwellings, complemented by a retail center and 800,000 square feet of flexible development. . Prominent natural landforms such as the Southern Ridge and the three knolls have been preserved and incorpo...

3Roots

A transformed mining site in Mira Mesa, 3Roots captures San Diego’s innovative spirit, drive, and natural beauty. SWA’s work began with the master plan, including 1,800 new homes, 160,000 square feet of commercial, retail, and office spaces, a five-acre mobility hub, and over 250 acres of parks and open space. The landscape blends the region’s mining her...