Community is the heart of change for Las Vegas Trail

The Star-Telegram invited a conversation about Las Vegas Trail.

More than 400 people wanted to join in.

Residents spoke and they listened, brainstorming ideas on ways to make the notoriously poor area a better place.

Whether the next step is building a recreational center, focusing on schools or designating a park, we must remember that this community has hope.

“I haven’t seen this many people on Las Vegas Trail for something to do about Las Vegas Trail,” resident Tassandra Simpson told Star-Telegram reporter Jeff Caplan.

During the event, “Let’s Talk about the Trail,” a panel of five — including Fort Worth Councilman Brian Byrd and activist Abdul Chappell — answered questions from the large attendance while emotionally illustrating the plight that Las Vegas Trail is in.

Moderator Bob Ray Sanders made sure many were able to say what they needed to say, and a general consensus is that Las Vegas Trail isn’t just crime-ridden area but a neighborhood with caring residents who want to grow the community.

City officials are aware of the complicated issues plaguing the 1-mile stretch of in West Fort Worth. Early this summer, city officials went on a bus tour around the area.

What they saw wasn’t pretty.

The Star-Telegram even did a special report the alarming regularity of crime and abuse on “The Trail.”

City officials had suggestions for possible fixes, but without the community involved, there is only so much that can be done.

“You can’t fix it unless you’re here,” Simpson said to the panel.

There’s a room full of residents who are there and want to fix it — and they are united in that cause.

We couldn’t ask for more.

This story was originally published August 17, 2017 at 5:55 PM with the headline "Community is the heart of change for Las Vegas Trail."