Reprint Courtesy of the Arlington Star-Telegram

New Park trail on its way to linking cities

Arlington, Texas — September 17, 2003

NATHANIEL JONES
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

A new 8-mile jogging and bike trail that will connect River Legacy Parks to Fort Worth and Grand Prairie is expected to open by January, parks officials said. The project would add 22 acres, west of North Collins Street and north of the Trinity River's West Fork, to the 1,058-acre park. The expansion includes additional parking, miles of paved trails, another entrance from Collins Street and a pedestrian bridge over the river.

"I think the entrance and parking lot on Collins will bring a lot of bikers, joggers and walkers who are not familiar with River Legacy Parks' trail system," said Phyllis Snyder, River Legacy Foundation's executive director. "This will definitely be the premier park and trail system in the area, once word gets out."

The 200-space parking lot, which is accessible from the north and south, will be built on the west side of North Collins Street and is scheduled to be completed by late spring. The new trail will lead to a wildlife viewing area overlooking natural wetlands just north of the Trinity and will eventually be linked to paved trail systems in Fort Worth and Grand Prairie. The project is part of a vision of the North Central Texas Council of Governments to link Fort Worth and Dallas with a system of nature and recreational trails along the Trinity River.

Fort Worth and Grand Prairie parks officials are in the initial planning stages of their projects, said Gordon Robertson, Arlington Parks and Recreation Dept. assistant director of planning. Robertson said Arlington will be the first community to have its portion of the Trinity trail system completed."We'll stop just short of our city limits until they are ready to meet us at the borders," he said. The expansion project was included in Arlington's 1998 master park plan, which is updated every five years. The city has spent $1.2 million in 1997 park bond money on the expansion. River Legacy Foundation has contributed $100,000 toward the city's costs, parks officials said. An additional $1.2 million grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department was added to help finance the expansion.

River Legacy Parks opened in 1991 at 701 N.W. Green Oaks Blvd. The park's elaborate paved trail system is a favorite among runners and in-line skaters. The new trails will be a great place for family activities, said Brad Cowden, manager at Debo Cycle Sports on Matlock Road in south Arlington. "This would definitely get kids away from the video games," he said.

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Copyright 2003 Star-Telegram, Inc.

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