Last week we told you about The Knolls of Solana, Westlake's newest neighborhood that's set to break ground today. In that piece, we talked about the history of the Knolls project as well as the extensive conservation efforts that are in place to maintain as much of the natural beauty of the land as possible. We also discussed the temporary changes that may occur to the nearby trail system during the construction process. In case you missed it, you can read more about it here.
Next, we want to talk about the potential impact this project may have on local wildlife. Town Staff wants to make you’re aware that some animals will be displaced and could find their way into your neighborhoods.
If that does happen, here’s what we recommend:
- Call Animal Services immediately. Their number is 817-743-4710. Their hours are 12-6pm Monday - Thursday, and 10am-6pm Friday and Saturday. They’re closed on Sundays. If you encounter an animal after these hours, you’re asked to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency or call Keller Police at 817-743-4522 if it’s a non-emergency.
- Never approach or try to capture a wild animal on your own.
- Animal services will try and capture and relocate most animals with the exception of coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. In those cases, they will provide you with advice on how to keep them away, such as making a lot of noise or investing in coyote repellent. Here’s a great resource for learning more about coyotes.
- They’ll also allow you to check out traps at the shelter. They’ll show you how to set the trap and bait it, then they’ll come and pick up the animal once it’s caught.
- If you see a snake, try and keep an eye on it so that you can show them where it’s located when they arrive. It may also be helpful to take a picture of the snake to help identify it in case you lose sight of it prior to animal services arriving. Not all snakes are dangerous, but it is better to be safe than sorry and call them regardless. Here’s a link showing venomous snakes that have been known to live in this portion of North Texas so that you can become more aware of what they look like.
Animal services have also provided us with some helpful hints on ways you can reduce the chances of unwanted wildlife making their way into your yards.
- Don’t leave food out for your pets and don’t feed birds and squirrels. That tends to attract other animals.
- Keep your garbage cans covered at all times.
- Keep small pets inside unless supervised. Larger wildlife may view your furry friend as a meal.
- Stack your wood piles neatly so animals can’t find their way inside and make a home.
- Make sure any decking is enclosed so animals don’t have a place to live or hide.
- Finally, trim bushes and hedges so that you can see beneath. These tend to be favorite hide-out spots for critters.
If you have any questions or concerns about the project, please feel free to contact Westlake’s Director of Public Works, Jarrod Greenwood at 817-490-5717 or by email at jgreenwood@westlake-tx.org, and Ron Ruthven, Director of Planning & Development at 817-490-5739, or email him at rruthven@westlake-tx.org.
Town staff is committed to delivering you the highest quality of service possible. We know this project may cause some inconveniences in the coming months, but rest assured, we are doing everything we can to keep these inconveniences at a minimum. As always, thank you for your patience. We’re truly honored to work alongside you in making the Town of Westlake such a special place to live. After all, we are “Distinctive By Design”.
