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.