River Legacy Parks is a 1,300 acre oasis on the Trinity River in the heart of north Arlington. The Parks currently offer more than eight miles of paved trails winding through thick forest and expansive greenbelts. Wildlife is abundant in the Parks; outdoor enthusiasts from birders to botanists flock to the Parks for a glimpse of its diverse flora and fauna. It’s also the perfect place to hike, bike and jog — or just spread out a blanket and relax. At River Legacy Parks, you will find picnic areas, Legacy Pavilion, paved hike/bike trails, a meditation area, river overlooks, multipurpose areas, water fountains, restrooms, a playground and most recently, a canoe launch.

Arlington is a leader in the consortium of cities whose goal is to create an unbroken chain of parks and greenways along the Trinity River and its tributaries stretching from Dallas to Fort Worth.

River Legacy Parks East next to the Elzie Odom Recreation Center is an integral link in that chain. River Legacy East includes soccer fields, paved trails, picnic tables and a playground.

In 2001, construction was completed on more than four miles of paved trails stretching from Highway 157 East to Highway 360 on the North side of the Trinity River. The trail is part of the Trinity Trail System that will run from Southern Dallas County to the Lake Texoma area. This network of trails, when completed will include more than 100 miles of contiguous trails in the Trinity River basin. The new trails, which traverse prairie land and forested areas, were funded by the city of Arlington and the Texas Department of Transportation at a cost of $1.7 million.

In September 2004, the $2.4 million capital improvement project also included a new park entrance/parking lot on Collins Street and the construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Trinity River linking paved trails on the north side of the river with paved trails on the south side of the river. Park users can now walk, jog, rollerblade or bike from the Arlington/Fort Worth border to the Arlington/Grand Prairie border.

In 2008, River Legacy Foundation and the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department completed construction of the first of a series of canoe launches along Arlington's portion of the Trinity River. The first launch located underneath the pedestrian bridge provides safe access to the natural flowing Trinity River for a quiet and scenic float in the heart of the Metroplex. Additional launches planned near the Greenbelt bridge and Texas 360 will open up more than nine river miles to canoeing and kayaking.

For more details on the public/private partnership that made River Legacy Parks possible, check out the History page.

River Legacy Parks | Amenities | Map

<< BACK TO TOP