White Rock Lake

Ahhhhh, White Rock Lake. A peaceful oasis near the urban core of Dallas. It's vast. It's beautiful. What is not to love?

Calm and expansive.

This picture (unlike most of the others) was before winter, so you get a little taste of green

Here is Winfrey Point, the famous piece of prarie land that was being considered for the Dallas Arboretum's expanded parking needs. This brought on considerable outcry, protest, and even a lawsuit against the city in order to preserve this piece of White Rock Lake Park. Luckily, the Arboretum has dropped all plans to park on (or around?) Winfrey Point, and the lawsuit has been dropped.

On the east side of the lake (along E. Lawther) looking across the lake.

Coming from the parking lot at Winsted Dr. and Garland Rd., this path goes next to the spillway and hooks around to the White Rock Pump Station.

Little clearing in the winter time.

Nice tag on the ground.

The White Rock Pump Station is a designated landmark structure, which I interpret as meaning it's a historic building that has some protection from being torn down. 

I spoke with a construction worker next to the Pump Station who said they were in the middle of renovating it (indeed they were, as I saw the cranes doing their business on the other side). He said the building is still operating and helping maintain the water levels.

Bishop Arts District

Bishop Arts District is an area of North Oak Cliff (within Dallas) that is known for its restaurants and shops, many of which are unique, independent, and sometimes on the "high-end, boutique" range. What makes this area especially charming is the care and restoration of its early-Twentieth Century architecture along with its pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.

The Davis St. and Bishop Ave. intersection form the backbone of the Bishop Arts District. I'm not exactly sure where this area begins and ends, but I see many of the shops along Davis as part of, or an extension of, the Bishop Arts area. While everyone knows of the shops along Bishop Avenue, many gems spill out further west along Davis St.: Lucky Dog Books, M'antiques, Bolsa and Bolsa Mercado, all the way to Tyler St., where if you walk a few feet south to 7th St., you'll find the adorable Oil and Cotton (which houses many arts and crafts workshops).

It's a great area that warrants multiple trips and some leisurely time for exploration. Hip, unique places are sprouting up all around North Oak Cliff, most of which are within a couple of miles from the Bishop Arts District. Some of the nearby establishments that nicely round out the area, but may be outside of the Bishop Arts umbrella: the lovingly restored Texas Theater on Jefferson for a 35mm print of your favorite movies (and plenty of strange, experimental flicks too), a concert at the Kessler Theater, or a drink and a bite at the gastropub Nova.

North Oak Cliff is known for its advocacy of pedestrian-friendly options and lifestyle. Bishop Arts District seamlessly adopts this mindset, often closing Bishop Ave. for craft fairs and celebrations like Bastille Day.

Not so subtle propaganda. 

Walk.Bike.OakCliff. Thank you Jason Roberts and countless others who have pushed to help Dallas become more pedestrian-friendly. Bike Friendly Oak Cliff has been the city's biggest advocate for bike lanes, and fittingly, North Oak Cliff and West Dallas are getting many of the city's first buffered bike lanes.

I love these old strorefronts. At the end of this stretch is the new second location of We Are 1976! A great shop and a great addition to the Bishop Arts District.

On 7th St. right off Bishop Ave. 

The pleasing streetscape 

Forest Hills

Forest Hills is a scenic neighborhood adjacent to (and just south of) White Rock Lake. One of my best friends from childhood grew up a block away, and so while I was familiar with the area, I didn't grasp its overall beauty. We'd take walks and drift into the picturesque streets, but a ten year old doesn't have the presence of mind to notice architecture and landscaping, or to note how special it is to have giant trees lining the yards and streets. Here are a few pictures of my recent winter-time stroll through Forest Hills:

These houses are modest for Forest Hills, but more than nice in general. In fact, I prefer them to the McMansions that I spotted a few streets over. 

This was the base of the most gorgeous and gigantic Magnolia tree. 

My pics of this house didn't come out well, but they had a lot of unique, artistic touches on the facade and in their yard. Even the "no pooping" warning to dog owners is artistic and well done.

Since Forest Hills isn't a conservation or historic district, new constructions can have difference appearances. I think this is a tasteful example of modern architecture. 

White Rock Dr. runs into Garland Rd. and White Rock Lake.

Picturesque. I'm sure it's even more attractive in the springtime with leaves on the trees.

Munger Place Historic District

Munger Place is a historic district in East Dallas. It lies directly next to Junius Heights, another historic district, and, according to its website, is the nation's largest collection of Prarie-Style homes. Munger Place was turned into a historic district in 1980, long before it's "little brother" Junius Heights in 2005. Still, I love how these two neighborhoods co-mingle. Although they're divided by the fairly busy Munger Blvd, they share the same defining streets, such as Reiger, Victor, Tremont, Worth, and Junius.

On a personal note, it's hard to walk through Munger Place and not be awe-struck by its beauty. Nearly every home's exterior is nicely renovated and the yards well maintained.

East Dallas continually fascinates me with its two worlds: the beauty, history, and wealth of Munger Place and Swiss Avenue mixed in with poverty-stricken apartment complexes along Columbia and Gaston. While there are plenty of properties that lie in-between these two extremes, the differences can remain fairly stark. I'm making no judgments...just an observation regarding one of the more fascinating areas of Dallas.

Nice streetscape. Big yards. I like the streetlamps at night.

Directly next to the opulence of Munger Place, poverty-stricken apartments.

Among the single-family residences are some historic apartments. I think this one, like many around here, are managed by Power Properties.

The Trolley Expansion & Arts District

The McKinney Avenue Transit Authority (MATA), also known as the "M-Line" or simple the "McKinney Avenue Trolley", is a nonprofit that maintains and runs a collection of historic trolleys through the affluent Uptown neighborhood. After Dallas' trolley system was done away with in the mid-Twentieth Century, these trolleys were restored and put back to work in 1989 on uncovered trolley lines along McKinney Avenue. It should be noted that the trolleys are 100% free (although donations are accepted), and they operate 365 days a year.

The M-Line runs from Uptown to the northern edge of Downtown, stopping at St. Paul and Ross Ave. (behind the Dallas Museum of Art). Since the opening of the Klyde Warren Park in the Arts District, construction has begun in order to expand the trolley line to create a loop. The expansion will bring the trolley further south along St. Paul, turning on Federal St., and then looping north along Olive St. and back up to McKinney Ave. This will bring the trolley further into Downtown (within sight of the DART rail), through the heart of the Arts District, and through the middle of Klyde Warren Park.

The trolley expansion will happen in two phases, the first of which will open sometime in 2013. Although the first phase will only be a section of the proposed loop, it will bring the trolley down Olive St. through the middle of the park and Arts District. Here is a map from MATA's website which makes it all clear: Trolley Map (including expansions).

Seeing the trolley pass by the Dallas Museum of Art and Nasher will also add intrigue to the Arts District. Currently, people go to a museum or performance in the Arts District and then promptly hop in their cars and head home. Why? Like much of Downtown, there hasn't been anything else to do--no pedestrian-friendly activity and no desirable restaurants or retail. Now that the trolley line will be running through, coupled with Klyde Warren Park, and there's a chance the Arts District will become more of place to roam rather than a "pit stop" for the arts. Add in the fact that the Dallas Museum of Art will be permanently free as of January 21, 2013, and I'm starting to wonder if the Arts District could become a more lively place.

The adorable McKinney Avenue Trolley heading north on St. Paul.

Looking at Olive St., which divides Klyde Warren Park...this is where the McKinney Avenue Trolley will run through in 2013. 

Facing the Klyde Warren Park along Olive St., you can see that the trolley lines have already been completed.

The trolley line mostly complete on Olive St. between Ross Ave. and San Jacinto St. 

On Olive St. between San Jacinto St. and Federal St..

The first phase of trolley line expansion will stop here at Federal St. You can see that it's just one street over from Bryan, where the DART rail runs (in the background). Easy walking distance!

Klyde Warren Park

Klyde Warren Park opened on October 27, 2012. It lies on the north side of Downtown Dallas in the city's Arts District. It's smack dab next to the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Garden, and the new (and infamous for its art-destroying glare) Museum Tower. 

So, you may know the story already: they built an urban park on top of a recessed highway. Yep, the park just floats in the air while the cars whiz underneath. Some call it an engineering feat. Actually, thousands do. This park has proven within months of opening that it is the big daddy of Dallas parks. Well, in terms of popularity at least.

I didn't know what to think when I first heard about it. I thought it could turn out to be another tacky Dallas attraction with more glitz than substance. And, while it is packed with sleek amenities (Dallas can't do anything minimal), I have to say...it worked.

It worked! But just how did it work? Is it that people are really moving back Downtown? Does it do as it proposed and actually connect Downtown with Uptown? Well, I didn't realize how close (10 min walk) the beautiful State-Thomas neighborhood (a semi-hidden enclave in Uptown) was to the park until a couple weeks ago. My guess is that it's a mix of Downtown and Uptown residents, as well as those closer to the urban core (think: East Dallas, Oak Lawn).

However and from wherever the people come...they come. Trust me, I've been a regular fixture since its opening, having graced the park 6 or 7 times in the last few months. On a sunny day, Klyde Warren Park is filled with droves of people. They walk around. Their kids play on the impressive playground. Families or friends play frisbee and toss footballs on the Great Lawn. And it's not just rich Downtown/Uptown people--it's a healthy mix.

I get all sappy when I come here. It's a refreshing addition to our urban environment.

The Great Lawn is probably the biggest physical feature of the park. It's a big, open lawn that is approachable and often filled with families tossing footballs or frisbees.

The immense skyline lurks in the background. Quite pretty, to be honest.

Archways and Red Oaks frame a nice walkway which goes around the perimeter of much of the park.

Food trucks have become a permanent fixture on the South side of the Great Lawn.

By the Nasher Sculpture Garden, next to Klyde Warren Park

Junius Heights

Junius Heights is a historic district in East Dallas. The neighborhood's website (www.juniusheights.org) says it obtained designation as a historic district in May, 2005, which makes it the newest historic district in Dallas. It not only claims to be the largest historic district in Dallas, it also boasts having the largest collection of Arts & Crafts/Craftsman homes in the southwest.

I've only lived in Junius Heights for a few months, but have already found it to be a quiet neighborhood with a decent sense of community. Many of the homes are beautifully renovated with well-manicured landscaping. Some homes are in disrepair, and there is a smattering of homes/apartments that stick out from the unified historic appearance, having been altered or built before the historic designation. Still, and without being too stuck up about things, it's a beautiful neighborhood with lots of character.

A close friend grew up in this neighborhood in the 1980s and said the area used to be plagued by crime. Another friend who lives a few blocks away in the Munger Place neighborhood confirmed this. He said 15 or 20 years ago, gunshots were a regular occurrence on the weekends.

East Dallas remains a strange animal. Affluent, historic homes and poverty-stricken properties co-exist. While most of these two populations are tolerant of each other, the cultures can still come across as largely segregated. 

Cute 8-plex from the 1930s-ish era.

I don't think I saw a single Romney/Ryan sign in Junius Heights during the election.

Beautiful houses with big porches abound

At Junius and Henderson, in the middle of the residential area, there's an old building with cute storefronts. The Garden Cafe boasts a large garden in the back from which they get some of their ingredients.