If you were asked in a quiz show to name the greenest city in America, you might not answer “Dallas.” And you would probably be right, because it may not be…or not yet. For Dallas has high ambitions that one day it will be right up there with the famous green cities of the world, and it all depends on an ambitious project that is transforming a stretch of river into a huge urban park.
Image credit: Dallasinnovationalliance.com
Trinity River
Trinity River is over 700 miles long and flows from the north of Texas through the center of Dallas to the Gulf. The early settlers of Dallas thought they had found a great way to access the coast, but it turned out that the river was too shallow to navigate and had a habit of flooding. So began a love-hate relationship between the river and the city, and much of the time it was a neglected nuisance.
Today that relationship is being transformed. For the last twenty years, a series of individual projects have been coming together to create a 10,000-acre green corridor stretching from Fort Worth to the eastern side of Dallas. Most of it is already in place, awaiting the last connections to be made.
Visitors to Dallas in years to come will be able to ride, sail, kayak, hike, cycle, and play golf in an unbroken stretch of carefully maintained waterside land. There will be forest areas where wildlife is already flourishing, recreational areas for horse riding and golf, meadows and lakes for peaceful afternoons, playgrounds, and educational areas including the Audubon Center, recently transformed from the biggest illegal dumping area in America into a wildlife haven.
Visiting the Project
As the site develops, there will be accommodation and retail zones in selected locations. The River Corridor passes conveniently close to Fort Worth Airport, so airport hotels like Marriott Residence Inn Dallas Airport will provide a good starting point for those who want to explore.
As the river passes right through the center of Dallas, there will also be easy access for those who prefer to stay downtown.
That’s Not All
The Trinity River Corridor is by no means the only way to experience natural wonders in Dallas. The Dallas Park and Recreation Department administer 381 parks, with a total of over 23,000 acres.
The jewel in the crown of Dallas open spaces is the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Visitors to Dallas return again and again to explore the gardens, learn the names of plants and trees, and enjoy the activities available to families.
Other popular parks include Klyde Warren Park and White Rock Lake Park, but you could spend a year exploring all the open spaces that grace the city.
A Greener City
Dallas grew up as a huge city of industry and commerce, but it has discovered a greener side in recent years. With each passing decade, it becomes a place that people choose to live in and to visit for its commitment to making the most of nature’s beauty.
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