Also check for information and opportunities via AdventureCycling.org, BicycleFriendlyCommunity.org, BikeLea- gue.org, BikesBelong.org, ClimateRide.


org, imba.com (International Mountain Bicycling Association) and PeopleFor- Bikes.org. Pedal power to the people!


Randy Kambic, in Estero, FL, is a free- lance writer and a copyeditor for Natural Awakenings.


D


allas’ growing hike and bike trail system is helping to lead the way to cleaner air in the Metroplex in a very basic,


healthy and sustainable way. It’s also becoming easier to get from here to there without having to dodge traffic and generate pollution. In addition to cleaner air and other environmental benefits, the trails are very important in Dallas because they open areas up and connect people without driving. The recent opening of the 2.5-mile Northaven Trail,


which stretches from just north of Royal Lane, from Central Expressway to Preston Road, brings the Dallas Hike & Bike trail system to a total of 114 miles. Many components com- prise small neighborhood loops and linear trails. The city of Dallas Parks and Recreation Department


is slowly but steadily stitching together a system that connects what have been dis- jointed neighborhoods and parks to DART rail stations, shopping centers and major employment centers. There are 12 trail projects in the works that will bring the mileage count to 125, or almost half of the 280 miles of trails in the Dallas Bike Trail Master Plan. Here’s a look at some of the longer


trails:


Turtle Creek Trail: This concrete trail is 2.1 miles long and eight feet wide, along Turtle Creek Boulevard, in the Oaklawn area. Access is from Turtle Creek and Maple Avenue. NorthavenTrail.org. Cottonwoood Trail: This linear


concrete trail of 2.9 miles will eventu- ally connect North Dallas to White Rock Lake, the Arboretum and south to Fair Park. Currently, it connects Spring Valley to the White Rock Creek Trail. DallasParks.org/ Downloads/Trails/TurtleCreek.pdf. Katy Trail: This popular 3.5-mile con-


crete trail travels through the city’s northern core and runs from Lyle Street to Airline Drive. KatyTrailDallas.org. Preston Ridge Trail: A 5.3-mile linear


concrete trail in the heart of North Dal- las, mainly along Meandering Way. It starts near the intersection of Spring Valley


natural awakenings May 2012 23


and Coit roads and ends close to the Collin County line. A future phase will extend into Collin County, ending at Frankford Road and the Bush Turnpike. PrestonRidgeTrail. org.


Trinity Levee Trail: A 6-mile linear trail made of crushed stone. It runs along the levee top from Mockingbird Lane to Sylvan Avenue. DallasTrinityTrails.Blogspot.com. White Rock Creek Trail: A 7.7-mile concrete path that connects North Dallas to the tip of White Rock Lake. Access is from Valley View Park, off Hillcrest Road, just north of Interstate 635. On the south side, you can park at Greenville Avenue and Royal Lane or off Merriman Road, near Abrams. WhiterockTrail.org.


Local Bicycle Trails Connect the Dots


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40