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

Santa Fe Trail - Dallas, TX (part 2)

Here are the rest of my photos from my first trip to the Santa Fe Trail:

If you're heading toward White Rock Lake from Lindsley Park, you'll notice a clearing to your right (before the fences begin). I was curious about what lay beyond this natural "doorway." Lo and behold...

... it's a beautiful field of wild grasses, trees, and oh yeah - throw in a quaint pond to make it just perfect.

Heading back to the path, another work of art.

The Santa Fe bridge over Garland Rd. right before it forks into East Grand and Gaston.

From the bridge: there's East Grand with Gaston veering off to the right.

Santa Fe Trail - Dallas, TX

For whatever reason, I've been obsessed with the Santa Fe Trail since hearing about it a few months ago. I think the idea of a nature trail running through East Dallas (my favorite hipster haven) just sounded awesome. Oh, and it connects White Rock Lake with Deep Ellum you say? Well that's just downright badass.

I finally made it over today... it's good to have some free time after a busy semester. Let me just say - it exceeded my expectations. Big, beautiful, peaceful, and I only saw a little sliver. Here are some pics:

As mentioned in my previous post, I parked at Lindsley Park and walked over to the trail. From here I took the trail East, which then formed a 'V' and kind of looped back up toward White Rock Lake. It was a beautiful stretch. Both sides of the trail were walled-off by huge trees, shrubs, and wild greenery.

Cute signs

I loved this graffiti-encounter while curving North on the trail. Some artistic tags and some nice obscenities.

Love it.

It was an overcast evening, creating a great ambiance.