Partner Spotlight: Valley Ranch Association

 

The Valley Ranch community has so much to offer – beautiful landscapes, a variety of local businesses and a steady offering engaging events. While many organizations make Valley Ranch a desirable destination, Valley Ranch Association (VRA) stands out as an exceptional leader and resource.

As we continue our Partner Spotlight series, we’re sharing our recent conversation with VRA Executive Director Marty Whitaker, where he shares more about the organization and its longstanding partnership with IFCD 3.

IFCD 3:  Can you tell us about the history and purpose of the Valley Ranch Association (VRA)?

Whitaker:  Incorporated in August 1983, Valley Ranch Association was designed to be reminiscent of the best of the great ranches – a self-contained community where people live, work and play in harmony with nature. Residents experience a country atmosphere with the convenience of an urban home, all within a master-planned community. Over 1,000 acres were allocated for the residential development, featuring custom homes, garden homes, townhomes, condominiums and apartments.

Valley Ranch features greenbelts and landscaped, rock-lined canals interwoven throughout the community. Valley Ranch comprises 4,355 homes, 7,000 apartment units and 125 businesses in Irving. It’s a great example of long-term planning matched with natural beauty and functionality.

 

“VRA has been working to make Valley Ranch a growing and prosperous community.”

— Marty Whitaker, VRA Executive Director

 

IFCD 3:  What are some of VRA’s biggest accomplishments to date?

Whitaker:  For over 40 years, VRA has been working to make Valley Ranch a growing and prosperous community. A few of our biggest accomplishments to date include:

  • 40th anniversary of incorporation

  • Canal walkway concrete conversion

  • “Wildlife Habitat Community” certification by the National Wildlife Federation

  • Erosion control

  • Installation of two additional canal fountains for aeration

  • Bridge light pole replacement (currently underway)

Photo of IFCD 3 Board Member Bill Correa attends Valley Ranch Association's EarthFest community event in April 2025

IFCD 3 Board Member Bill Correa talks with community members about flood control at Valley Ranch Association's EarthFest event in April 2025

IFCD 3:  What are VRA’s goals for this year? The next five years?

Whitaker:  VRA is focused on strategic, long-term improvements to enhance both aesthetics and infrastructure.

Key initiatives include partnering with a landscape architect to create a Community Master Plan for cohesive landscape design and upgraded signage that is distinct to Valley Ranch. Implementation of the final plan is expected over the next five years.

VRA is also replacing light poles throughout our community, with the bridge light replacement on MacArthur Boulevard marking the completion of Phase 1. Completion of the light pole replacement project is expected in 2027.

IFCD 3:  How does VRA partner with other local organizations to make its mission possible?

Whitaker:  VRA partners with many local organizations to make a thriving community, including:

 

Thank you, VRA, for all you do to make Valley Ranch an exceptional place to live, work and play – and thank you for your ongoing partnership with IFCD 3. The success of our community lies in the strength of our collective collaboration.

You can learn more about IFCD 3 and our other partners on our WaterWays blog. You can also follow us on Facebook and X / Twitter for the latest updates from IFCD 3.

 
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