Exploring Dallas, one trail at a time. Next up in our 12-month trail series around The Loop Dallas— the Sante Fe Trestle Trail!🚶‍♀️🚴 🌱 Total Distance: 1.86 miles 🌱 Scenery: The Santa Fe Trestle Trail meanders along and over the Trinity River and features the beautifully restored Santa Fe Railroad Truss. Along the route, you’ll find scenic views of the river, trees and in the summer the trail is lined with golden sunflowers. 🌱 Environmental Highlights: The Santa Fe Trestle Trail connects to The Skyline Trail trailhead at 8th Street and Corinth Street. Note that the section of The Skyline Trail at this connection is gravel and if you’re planning to bike, we recommend a mountain, gravel or hybrid bike. This section of trail will not be kind to road bike tires. 🚲 This trail is also a popular spot for birdwatching, especially during migratory seasons. 🌱 Helpful Fact - Where to park: 2295 S. Riverfront Blvd. Dallas, TX 75207 Dart Station at 1837 E. 8th St. Dallas, TX 75203 🌱 Difficulty: Easy (mostly flat with minimal elevation changes) . . . . Click here to see how you can take this route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40389234 (fb)

As Dallas continues to grow and change, the value of our green spaces and trails has never been more clear. For me, trails became especially meaningful during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. When so many aspects of life were restricted, the ability to walk, ride or just be outside offered something deeply grounding. It reminded me how essential these spaces are to our quality of life - for working, living and playing. The work being done by The Loop Dallas is truly impressive; the connectivity it brings helps create a healthier, more accessible city. Trails aren’t just pathways, they’re places where we can breathe, connect and find a bit of peace in a fast-paced and growing metro. My name is Tony Moore (@tonycmoore), and this is My Dallas Trail Story. As CEO of Trinity Park Conservancy (@trinityparkconservancy), I have the privilege of helping shape Harold Simmons Park (@haroldsimmonspark_) —a 250-acre green space along the Trinity River. But we know a park can’t truly serve its community if people can’t get to it. That’s why intentional connectivity is such an important focus. We often refer to the area we serve as the “Trinity Rectangle,” and our vision is to make it possible (and easy) for people to walk, jog, or bike to this incredible public space. When I was recently out on the trail, I was amazed by how many parents with strollers were already using the north-south linear trail. It’s a beautiful sign that nature really can unite Dallas, which happens to be our tagline and our mission. When our offices were in the Design District (@ddesigndistrict), I had a firsthand view of just how transformational trail connections can be. Traveling the route where the Hi Line Connector now runs made a noticeable difference in how we moved through the city. The Hi Line Connector really set a new gold standard. It’s a prime example of how infrastructure can be both functional and fun. A route I’ve taken often is going from the Katy Trail (@katytraildallas) and connecting to downtown via the Hi Line Connector when we would head toward Victory for meetings or stop at Katy Trail Ice House (@katytrailicehouse). (Continued in comments…) (fb)