IFCD 3, VRA and the City of Irving – Teaming that Works

In a world that’s often focused on individual accomplishments, Valley Ranch businesses and individual residents gain the great benefits of community teamwork from the City of Irving, the Valley Ranch Associations and IFCD 3 working together.

Individually, these organizations deliver important services within Valley Ranch.  Viewed from the city perspective, our part of Irving is one of a number of geographic areas within its responsibility. Fire, EMS and Police are highly visible to nearly all residents on a daily basis, while other services – from Animal Services to Water Utilities – also are available when needed.  The Valley Ranch Associations is the organization charged with providing and maintaining community-wide services and standards that make Valley Ranch known as a great place to work, live and play.  While largely functioning in the background, the work of Irving Flood Control District Section III (IFCD 3) is occurring whenever heavy rain, high river elevations, and trash and debris in waterways require action, protecting people and property.

Where these three deliver the power and value of teamwork is when each teammate’s capabilities are coupled to solve a challenge or capitalize on an opportunity. Think of it as similar to starting a small soccer league. Expecting one person to bring all the skills and equipment to do this would be overwhelming. But, if one person were to provide all the game gear, another had the pop-up shelters and a third could promote and schedule the matches, the new league could come together faster and with less individual efforts.

An example of teamwork among the City of Irving, VRA and IFCD 3 was development of the Sam Houston Trail Extension in the southeast corner of Valley Ranch. City staff led the project and brought design and construction capabilities. The city also brought into the teamwork their relationship with the Dallas County, which provided the funding for the project. VRA provided the team with overall support and property owner-resident communication access, as needed. IFCD 3 coordinated access in areas of the trail that intersected with flood control facilities and furnished technical assistance regarding those facilities, where needed. The result was protection of flood control infrastructure with efficient and effective use of resources, while supporting the larger Sam Houston Trail Extension project.

While major projects that involve all three may occur less frequently, each group also brings resources to support numerous needs throughout the year. Construction, ecological, engineering, environmental, and landscaping services, among other disciplines, reduce the time and money needed to deliver the community experience that Valley Ranch residents and businesses desire.