Santa Fe Trail construction is underway!
Last month, the City of Dallas officially kicked off construction of Phase One of the Santa Fe Trail, a recreational pathway traversing through East Dallas’ cultural and natural landmarks. The section of the Trail now under construction begins at the south end of White Rock Lake and continues toward Woodrow Wilson High School. A great deal of progress is evident from East Grand Ave to West Shore at Lindsley Park.
“It is a great milestone to see dirt moving on this section of the trail,” said Chris Angarola, Chairman of the Friends of the Santa Fe Trail. “As Dallas becomes a more pedestrian oriented city, the availability of an extensive recreational and commuter trail system is vital. The Santa Fe Trail we hope will mature into a critical piece of this city-wide link, connecting East Dallas to Downtown in a sustainable, socially conscious and enjoyable manner.”
The City of Dallas and the Texas Department of Transportation have dedicated close to five million dollars to-date to establish the Trail. An initial two mile section now connects Randall Park near Woodrow Wilson High School to Hill Street. Near S. Hill Avenue, the trail will connect to the DART right-of- way, connecting Fair Park and Baylor. Plans for the trail also include a pedestrian bridge over Garland Road, as well as a long-term vision of a connection to the Central Business District.
Summary of construction:
Phase One - Current construction of a paved trail from White Rock Lake to Woodrow Wilson High School near Glascow. Construction began in October 2009 with expected completion in January.
Phase Two - Phase two was completed in April 2009 with a paved pathway from Woodrow Wilson to Deep Ellum. Landscaping, public art and other amenities are being planned.
Phase Three - With authorization given last summer for extension, Phase Three will continue the Trail from Deep Ellum to Fair Park and Baylor, with a long-term vision of connecting to a trail system that extends to the Central Business District.
The Friends of the Santa Fe Trail is a non-profit group with the mission of bringing value to the community by bringing neighbors together, encouraging healthy lifestyles, improving the quality of life, increasing usable green space, and providing alternative commuting options through quality sustainable development that reflects the unique qualities of East Dallas. For more information on the Friends of the Santa Fe Trail, a trail map, construction updates and more, check out the group’s website: http://www.friendsofsantafetrail.org
Topics: Lake Info |