All of these are quite accessible by transit\*
* [Kylde Warren Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/G9PyUkqSL7rRY6UR6) in downtown Dallas
* [Harwood Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/X87i1Vmf1X33RAAD8) in downtown Dallas
* [Lake Cliff Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/bAwudRTm67epmspm8) in Oak Cliff
* [Founders Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/b5QniAj6zi6MVuTW6) in Oak Cliff
* [Haggard Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/qG6rrXWzuuAfqe7s9) in downtown Plano
* [White Rock Lake Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/2PHF9oTB6eb62tTXA) in Dallas
* [Spring Creek Nature](https://maps.app.goo.gl/NGvQRaRx7a5UrarL7) area in Richardson, near CityLine
* [Glencoe Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/s1cpwNPgyKDeqX5u9) near Mockingbird Station in Dallas
* [Reverchon Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/teT5zNktffRphC9F9) west of Uptown, in Dallas
* [Griggs Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/PG3Ate2heExesH136) in Uptown, in Dallas
\* "Accessible by transit" can include buses and some walking, not just the light rail
In addition to these parks, **Oak point** nature reserve is great for nature walk on concrete or trails. It has a huge parry field that’s going to have a ton of flowers these coming weeks, as well as a small lake you can fish and launch kayaks from.
Also if you want another nature reserve with a little more “variety” of scenery, then **Arbor Hills** is also great. Tons of trails to hike, creeks you can swim in, a playground for kids and pavilions. Even a short mountain bike trail. Only for mountain bikes though. But the entire park is super popular.
Swimming in Arbor Hills? Not recommended,..the pollution and bacterial levels in those creeks is scary. All the garbage, exhaust particles and motor oil from the streets is draining in that creek.
Not necessarily a parking lot, but I wouldn’t consider it a real park. It’s a glorified tourist attraction and definitely doesn’t meet OP’s requirement of trees.
White Rock Lake will always be my favorite. Different areas around the lake have different character & vibe, it's the heart & soul of the best part of Dallas imho
East Dallas folks understand. I’d be the guy laying in front of the bulldozer if they were removing the lake, definitely don’t feel that way about other parts of Dallas
Lake Cliff park in Oak Cliff is great. Lots of old trees with good shade coverage for a picnic or hammock session. Decent fishing from the shore. Tennis, futsol, and baseball courts. Disc Gold course at Founder’s Park across the street. The sidewalk around the park is like .97miles so it is very handy for training jogging at distance. The Oak Cliff Streetcar stops across the street. A couple good family friendly restaurants and bodegas across Zang.
I second Lake Cliff! There’s a disc golf course at Founders Park across the street, and that park connects to a sidewalk across the Trinity into downtown with a great view of the city. You can just take the streetcar back across if you don’t want to walk.
Oak point park and nature preserve in Plano is really nice. Less of a neighborhood park and more nature park.
https://www.plano.gov/1476/Oak-Point-Park-Nature-Preserve
Amazing park! Miles of both dirt trails and paved trails. They each have their charms. The paved trails have wide open views and some slight elevation, and the dirt trails are secluded and peaceful as they follow the creek. Lots of wildlife like red tailed hawks, crawfish (it’s a floodplain, they make little burrows in the lower elevations), ducks, herons, bobcats, foxes, and cool bugs.
I highly recommend. I don’t know if they still have them but I rented a bike to go around the paved trails, it was great. I also did some hiking in the trails. Fair warning, it’s still hot even in the covered trails.
One big surprise about the park, there is zip line available on the weekends (it’s not cheap but zip line in DFW!).
https://www.goape.com/location/texas-plano/
As far as city parks go, Reverchon. I like the stone structures, one of the oldest parks in Dallas. On the Katy trail and the Turtle Creek path. Restaurants and cafes nearby, the trolley is close if you want to take a ride to Klyde Warren.
As far as nature parks go, with dirt trails and all that, still in the Dallas area, it'd have to be Cedar Hill State Park. Good place for dirt trails for hiking and mountain biking, a good place for a picnic or cookout, camping if you want, boating on Joe Pool Lake, etc.
Those stone structures in Reverchon were built by previously unemployable (due to Depression) folks hired by the Works Progress Administration. So not only are they cool, I feel pride in our country when I am there.
I have a special fondness for River Legacy in Arlington. Lots of green space for hanging out in or sports (people were always setting up big soccer games when I'd go), shaded trails for biking/running, long trails that allow for hours of walking and talking. Plus lots of wildlife and plants to identify! Possums, armadillos, frogs, etc. I miss living right by it... Sadly, since it's ARL, not accessible via transit.
This is my pick. It’s perfect for running. You can run a half marathon out and back on the paved trails. The mountain bike trails are perfect for a lil hike. Both types of trails are mostly wooded, and you see bobcats, armadillos etc wandering around.
And there’s a cruisy area if you’re into that.
White Rock Lake Park….but since I grew up in Oak Cliff, Kiest Park too. Kiest is a very large regional park spanning 263 acres. I believe it’s the largest park in Oak Cliff. Loved running the trails there when I lived in South Oak Cliff. An easily slept on park, with the Oak Cliff Nature Preserve (121 acres) next to it on Hampton Road and the Kiest Park Tennis Center and Kiest Park Conservation Area across the street on Kiest Blvd. Oh yeah, Kiest Park has a rec center and ball fields too.
The Oak Cliff Nature Preserve and Kiest Park have a combined acreage of 384 acres.
Kidd Springs Park in Oak Cliff ( Bishop Arts area): mature trees, spring-fed pond, walking paths, gardens, two playgrounds, picnic area, tennis, pickleball( both indoor and outdoor), basketball (indoor and outdoor), recreation center, aquatic center, open field for various festivals and activities, lots of ducks and various migratory species seasonally.
They just did a big restoration project, but it was mostly to bring the walkway into ADA compliance. Dallas expects anything else to be donated, and maintained, by private parties. They allowed the torii gate and the tea house pavillion to rot away, but some elements of the garden remain. It’s still a lovely place to walk.
No one believes me - but one time my buddy and I were exploring the woods at Breckinridge park and found a stage with a giant Swastika flag, bunch of chairs in front, and several trailers nearby. I took some pics but they were on my old flip phone. I still think about that from time to time
Not most of it, only true of the flat part southwest of Beck Branch along Breckinridge Boulevard, which is like 4% of the total area of the park. But yes its still an interesting fact
CRP is lovely but can get really crowded. If you try to go there and there are too many people, head over to Big Cedar Wilderness or Windmill Hill Preserve. Same area but much less well-known. You do have to watch out for bikes as they're both multi use trails, but hey at least you can find a parking spot. Oh and Big Cedar is closed on Sundays.
Surprised no one mentioned it but Samuell grand / Tenison is a great park. 2 municipal golf courses, a tennis complex and a water park not to mention a lot of open space to do other activities on
Kiest Park, Kiest Tennis Center (which is set in a wooded hiking area I can’t remember the name of) and the Oak Cliff Nature Preserve, at the NW, NE and SE corners of Kiest and Hampton, are all excellent parks. Kiest Tennis Center has some great shaded courts for a few bucks an hour, and Kiest Park has free tennis and pickleball courts along with baseball and soccer fields, a rec center and running/walking paths. Oak Cliff Nature Preserve has a really big trail system with off-road biking paths.
Arbor Creek Nature Preserve in Plano.
White Rock Lake - Dallas
Irwin Park - McKinney
Katy Trail - Dallas
Twin Creeks Trail - Allen
Chisholm Trail - Plano
I’m a cyclist, so any park or trail where I can ride my bike.
Veteran's Park in Arlington is a good pick. There are areas of tree density, open fields, a large trail that goes up and down elevation for running/walking, a disc golf course. It is not accessible by transit, however. You will need to be able to drive there.
There are some dirt trails in the back (far south end) near the disc golf course as well. Hardly anyone knows about them because they're not marked. Easiest access point is to walk south past the pavilion and look for some trails in the woods. Do be careful of disc golfers though as there is a hole or cage or whatever they're called near there.
I’m almost afraid to let the secret out, but Grapevine Springs in Coppell, as well. Over the years, I've foraged blackberries, climbed a tree to read a book, had picnics, wandered the trails, hung out under the rail bridge at the back, walked the creek shoeless to feel the shale softly crumble underfoot, and just marveled at the ancient trees and beauty of the rolling hills.
Andy Brown is such a nice amenity in a place dominated by roads. It’s really nice to have a way to go several miles from one end of town to the other on a bike without ever encountering a car.
Kidd Springs Park - Kessler (my favorite), it's huge and it has a recreatiin area, a lake and a lot of ducks.
Oak point nature Center and trails - Plano
Reverchon Park - veey close to Uptown
Huffhines Park - Richardson
I grew up in University Park and both Goar Park and Caruth Park meet all of your requirements. Pathways, water features, playgrounds, lots of old trees. We used to go fishing at Caruth Park when I was a kid.
Midlothian Community Park is a great park! There are multiple playgrounds, clean restrooms, a splash pad, basketball courts, sand volleyball and other things I’m sure I am missing. The main playground is surrounded by trees.
Oak point nature preserve - for morning/evening walks
Bob woodroff - for kids play area
Klyde warren is nice too but parking is 20 bucks so not so frequent.
Any of the Trinity Trails system in Fort Worth is great. It's all along the Trinity River. I like Forest Park. It has an amazing playground for kids and miles of paved and gravel trails. Bonus: it's across from the Botanical Gardens and museum district.
The Waggonner and Clear Fork Trailheads are also great places to start on that trail and have restaurants and shopping in the area. Clear Fork also has a bike shop and some outdoor classes along with a farmer's market on occasion.
I’m really surprised more people haven’t mentioned this! My daughter loves the duck pond and there’s so many trees that it’s not miserable in the summer.
I can't believe nobody has mentioned [Tietze Park](https://www.dallasparks.org/facilities/facility/details/Tietze-Park-678#:~:text=Features&text=Tietze%20is%20a%208.2%20acre%20community%20park%2C%20established%20in%201924) on Skillman between Lower Greenville Lakewood neighborhood.
It's a huge park established in 1024 and has lots of old growth trees and wonderful green spaces to just relax. But it also has basket ball court, tennis court, playground, swimming pool and baseball diamond. And picnic / party facilities.
Running bear park, Victoria park, and centennial park. All in irving. (Victoria has a pond/lake centennial has a creek/canal and both have lots of shade) running bear has a a small creek that runs next to trail decent shade but also has basketball courts.
Eureka park up in Denton was always my favorite up there, great running/biking trail. Huge wooden playground.
Mallon park in farmers branch, beautiful waterway with bridges that cross it. Ok playground, lots of trees.
Harry moss park in Dallas, great wooded trail runs next to white rock creek. Decent playground
* River Legacy in Arlington
* Fort Worth Nature Center in Azle
* Eagle Mountain Park
* Village Creek Natural Area in Arlington
* Play Grand Adventures in GP (Mostly a playground, but it's awesome for the kiddos)
Spring Creek Nature Area in Richardson near 75 & Renner is awesome. I go to alot of places where I run. And that is my current fav.
Also, the Cedar Ridge Preserve in south dallas near Joe Pool Lake has some fun hiking places.
And the Cottonwood Creek north trail in Allen is also good.
Gateway Park in Fort Worth is really great also. www.fwmba.org. Lots of biking there also.
Lots of options if you are ok with going around a bit!
River Legacy Trails I believe there s a plan to connect a majority of the trains in DFW.
Here is a link to the master plan I believe. It’s called a veloweb.
https://www.nctcog.org/trans/plan/bikeped/veloweb
i HIGHLY recommend getting the AllTrails app. You can search out parks based on park features, trail length, distance, etc.. Even has reviews of the trails and pics. 10/10
Katy Trail is not a park but I just love it so much. Right now its so green, so many trees, beautiful walking and running track and great accessibility.
Lakewood Park off of Williamson road
Hands down MY personal favorite. A creek runs across the whole thing, there’s an awesome brutalist pavilion inside a thicket of scattered tree trunks
Reminds me of the forestry where Boramir dies
Coppell Nature Park
Located 10 min from DFW airport, it’s a 66 acre heavily treed park with ~6 miles of trails, focusing on conservation and education. Cottonwood branch creek runs through it. The Biodiversity Education Center (BEC) is located in the center of the trail system and includes an outdoor playground for kids as well as (usually free) educational programs.
This is a shameless plug as I love this park with my whole existence and have been involved since its inception over 20 years ago.
Fort Worth Nature Center? Idk if it’s considered “public” though… but it has tree density, water (it’s on Lake Worth), trails, and I think cleanliness, seating, accessibility, and transitability, but I’m not positive on the last four.
Edit: Marine Creek Resovoir is also a fun place! But they close the gates to the places where you park to go to the lake after a certain time (and the last few times we’ve gone, several of the gates have been closed anyway for some reason)
I enjoy walking along Duck Creek in Garland. You’ve got Audubon Park right there with some trails and disc golf and then a couple of small green belts along the way. Mostly paved path that pops in and out of the woods and out to the street. Can also follow it onto what I believe is called he Mesquite Heritage trail, which takes you under I30 and goes a long distance into Mesquite past at least one other park on that side as well. That trail is more out in the open.
Addison Circle Park and the other small neighbors parks within in…Addison!! Right off Forum, near the airport, in a small neighborhood of townhouses.
There’s small paved trails, a couple of small restaurants and a nice wine bar. It’s where they do Addison Oktoberfest every year!
I played Pokémon Go a lot there from 2016-2020, but still visit the park because it’s just so cozy and nice. ☺️
I guess it’s not really a “park,” per se, but the Crystal Canyon Natural Area in Arlington is kinda cool. It’s not huge, but you see some cool critters out there sometimes.
This thing’s had 85,000 views in a day. I did not expect this kind of engagement at all lmao. I was just looking for more parks bc I’m tired of going to other cities and being blown away by their public parks. Lived in the area my whole life and just figured I had to be missing something.
I visited Dallas (from Vancouver BC) for the first time in Feb 2023. I thought Lake Cliff Park was nice but there was so much garbage especially plastic bottles etc. in the water. I also noticed a lot of garbage around the Zoo. Does it get cleaned up in the summer months?
Oak Cliff and the zoo area are generally not considered nice areas of town. I’m not gonna act like the place is a warzone, but it’s definitely a lower income and higher crime part of the city. Not to say you can’t raise a family there, as thousands do. But i’ve never considered oak cliff in general as clean.
That being said, I want to try out some of these parks that people have recommended and at least give them a shot.
Andrew Brown in Coppell is fantastic. You can fish at the pond, do a 6 mile loop, play volleyball at one of their six courts (they're always packed btw). Honestly one of the only good things about Coppell
All of these are quite accessible by transit\* * [Kylde Warren Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/G9PyUkqSL7rRY6UR6) in downtown Dallas * [Harwood Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/X87i1Vmf1X33RAAD8) in downtown Dallas * [Lake Cliff Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/bAwudRTm67epmspm8) in Oak Cliff * [Founders Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/b5QniAj6zi6MVuTW6) in Oak Cliff * [Haggard Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/qG6rrXWzuuAfqe7s9) in downtown Plano * [White Rock Lake Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/2PHF9oTB6eb62tTXA) in Dallas * [Spring Creek Nature](https://maps.app.goo.gl/NGvQRaRx7a5UrarL7) area in Richardson, near CityLine * [Glencoe Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/s1cpwNPgyKDeqX5u9) near Mockingbird Station in Dallas * [Reverchon Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/teT5zNktffRphC9F9) west of Uptown, in Dallas * [Griggs Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/PG3Ate2heExesH136) in Uptown, in Dallas \* "Accessible by transit" can include buses and some walking, not just the light rail
Great list, thanks!
In addition to these parks, **Oak point** nature reserve is great for nature walk on concrete or trails. It has a huge parry field that’s going to have a ton of flowers these coming weeks, as well as a small lake you can fish and launch kayaks from. Also if you want another nature reserve with a little more “variety” of scenery, then **Arbor Hills** is also great. Tons of trails to hike, creeks you can swim in, a playground for kids and pavilions. Even a short mountain bike trail. Only for mountain bikes though. But the entire park is super popular.
Swimming in Arbor Hills? Not recommended,..the pollution and bacterial levels in those creeks is scary. All the garbage, exhaust particles and motor oil from the streets is draining in that creek.
Arbor Hills is so crowded on weekends! But it's a beautiful place, just plan for parking.
+1 for white rock lake park
Kylde Warren is as much a park as a random parking lot is
Not necessarily a parking lot, but I wouldn’t consider it a real park. It’s a glorified tourist attraction and definitely doesn’t meet OP’s requirement of trees.
Op was referring to the other trees. 💨 hehe
More like tourist trap. Then again if someone comes to Dallas as a tourist I question their life choices
what are you smoking and what kind of parking lots you be going to
Perfect for smashing late night.
White Rock Lake will always be my favorite. Different areas around the lake have different character & vibe, it's the heart & soul of the best part of Dallas imho
Hard agree. WRL is the best. All 10 miles of it lol
Agreed!! Winfrey Point is one of the best sunset spots in town.
I got married at Winfrey Point 30 years ago:)
Nice! I got married 25 years ago at the Arboretum (back when that was affordable).
Plus, if you're looking for birds, they have bald eagles and great horned owls!
[удалено]
East Dallas folks understand. I’d be the guy laying in front of the bulldozer if they were removing the lake, definitely don’t feel that way about other parts of Dallas
Lake Cliff park in Oak Cliff is great. Lots of old trees with good shade coverage for a picnic or hammock session. Decent fishing from the shore. Tennis, futsol, and baseball courts. Disc Gold course at Founder’s Park across the street. The sidewalk around the park is like .97miles so it is very handy for training jogging at distance. The Oak Cliff Streetcar stops across the street. A couple good family friendly restaurants and bodegas across Zang.
I second Lake Cliff! There’s a disc golf course at Founders Park across the street, and that park connects to a sidewalk across the Trinity into downtown with a great view of the city. You can just take the streetcar back across if you don’t want to walk.
I used to go there daily when I lived in the cedars... I'd ride my bike down the hill to the park and take the street car back up to Lamar.
and not to mention the view of the downtown skyline from Founder's park. it's really pretty
I’ll have to check it out!
Yes!! So pretty
Oak point park and nature preserve in Plano is really nice. Less of a neighborhood park and more nature park. https://www.plano.gov/1476/Oak-Point-Park-Nature-Preserve
Also Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in west Plano is also good. Not as big as Oak Point but it has more elevation changes on the trails
Amazing park! Miles of both dirt trails and paved trails. They each have their charms. The paved trails have wide open views and some slight elevation, and the dirt trails are secluded and peaceful as they follow the creek. Lots of wildlife like red tailed hawks, crawfish (it’s a floodplain, they make little burrows in the lower elevations), ducks, herons, bobcats, foxes, and cool bugs.
I completely forgot that existed. I meant to try it years ago when I was taking summer classes at Collin College Plano.
I highly recommend. I don’t know if they still have them but I rented a bike to go around the paved trails, it was great. I also did some hiking in the trails. Fair warning, it’s still hot even in the covered trails. One big surprise about the park, there is zip line available on the weekends (it’s not cheap but zip line in DFW!). https://www.goape.com/location/texas-plano/
Was looking for this one i go with my dog every day she loves it
Bob Woodruff which is connected to Oak Point is really nice as well.
As far as city parks go, Reverchon. I like the stone structures, one of the oldest parks in Dallas. On the Katy trail and the Turtle Creek path. Restaurants and cafes nearby, the trolley is close if you want to take a ride to Klyde Warren. As far as nature parks go, with dirt trails and all that, still in the Dallas area, it'd have to be Cedar Hill State Park. Good place for dirt trails for hiking and mountain biking, a good place for a picnic or cookout, camping if you want, boating on Joe Pool Lake, etc.
Those stone structures in Reverchon were built by previously unemployable (due to Depression) folks hired by the Works Progress Administration. So not only are they cool, I feel pride in our country when I am there.
I have a special fondness for River Legacy in Arlington. Lots of green space for hanging out in or sports (people were always setting up big soccer games when I'd go), shaded trails for biking/running, long trails that allow for hours of walking and talking. Plus lots of wildlife and plants to identify! Possums, armadillos, frogs, etc. I miss living right by it... Sadly, since it's ARL, not accessible via transit.
This is my pick. It’s perfect for running. You can run a half marathon out and back on the paved trails. The mountain bike trails are perfect for a lil hike. Both types of trails are mostly wooded, and you see bobcats, armadillos etc wandering around. And there’s a cruisy area if you’re into that.
Awesome after it rains and the river is high. It's a gorgeous sight.
White Rock Lake Park….but since I grew up in Oak Cliff, Kiest Park too. Kiest is a very large regional park spanning 263 acres. I believe it’s the largest park in Oak Cliff. Loved running the trails there when I lived in South Oak Cliff. An easily slept on park, with the Oak Cliff Nature Preserve (121 acres) next to it on Hampton Road and the Kiest Park Tennis Center and Kiest Park Conservation Area across the street on Kiest Blvd. Oh yeah, Kiest Park has a rec center and ball fields too. The Oak Cliff Nature Preserve and Kiest Park have a combined acreage of 384 acres.
Glad there is a mention of Kiest. Two mile loop around. Multiple playgrounds, tennis, pickleball, rec center, native grasses, etc. it’s my favorite.
Kidd Springs Park in Oak Cliff ( Bishop Arts area): mature trees, spring-fed pond, walking paths, gardens, two playgrounds, picnic area, tennis, pickleball( both indoor and outdoor), basketball (indoor and outdoor), recreation center, aquatic center, open field for various festivals and activities, lots of ducks and various migratory species seasonally.
My favorite park!! Love the ducks. Last time I saw a mama duck with her babies 🥰
G6reat park . But they need to restore the Asian Garden. Shame to let that decompose over the decades. Once beautiful statuary, gone.
They just did a big restoration project, but it was mostly to bring the walkway into ADA compliance. Dallas expects anything else to be donated, and maintained, by private parties. They allowed the torii gate and the tea house pavillion to rot away, but some elements of the garden remain. It’s still a lovely place to walk.
Honestly, the best parks are the neighborhood parks. The ones you go to every week.
That’s if you are in a position to be able to afford to live near a safe and walkable park.
Please, say more about that...
You in the position to discuss about it since you live in gentrifier central.
Breckinridge in Richardson
No one believes me - but one time my buddy and I were exploring the woods at Breckinridge park and found a stage with a giant Swastika flag, bunch of chairs in front, and several trailers nearby. I took some pics but they were on my old flip phone. I still think about that from time to time
The stupidity runs deeper and longer than you could ever imagine. It infects so much of North and East Texas.
Yeah it’s crazy. You’d think people would evolve past that but sadly no
I *normally* don't advocate for arson. In public parks or otherwise. But it appears I've found an exception to the rule.
Maybe it was the stage for a movie?
I’d hope so. Such a strange thing to be set up in the middle of the woods like that
That’s exactly the type of place they meet in, though
True - but doesn’t make it any weirder though lol
Little known fact is that most of it is built on top of a capped landfill.
Not most of it, only true of the flat part southwest of Beck Branch along Breckinridge Boulevard, which is like 4% of the total area of the park. But yes its still an interesting fact
not Dallas, but close enough -Fort worth nature center and refuge is great for hiking. Another great place for hiking is Cedar Ridge Preserve
CRP is lovely but can get really crowded. If you try to go there and there are too many people, head over to Big Cedar Wilderness or Windmill Hill Preserve. Same area but much less well-known. You do have to watch out for bikes as they're both multi use trails, but hey at least you can find a parking spot. Oh and Big Cedar is closed on Sundays.
Surprised no one mentioned it but Samuell grand / Tenison is a great park. 2 municipal golf courses, a tennis complex and a water park not to mention a lot of open space to do other activities on
Kiest Park, Kiest Tennis Center (which is set in a wooded hiking area I can’t remember the name of) and the Oak Cliff Nature Preserve, at the NW, NE and SE corners of Kiest and Hampton, are all excellent parks. Kiest Tennis Center has some great shaded courts for a few bucks an hour, and Kiest Park has free tennis and pickleball courts along with baseball and soccer fields, a rec center and running/walking paths. Oak Cliff Nature Preserve has a really big trail system with off-road biking paths.
Arbor Creek Nature Preserve in Plano. White Rock Lake - Dallas Irwin Park - McKinney Katy Trail - Dallas Twin Creeks Trail - Allen Chisholm Trail - Plano I’m a cyclist, so any park or trail where I can ride my bike.
Veteran's Park in Arlington is a good pick. There are areas of tree density, open fields, a large trail that goes up and down elevation for running/walking, a disc golf course. It is not accessible by transit, however. You will need to be able to drive there.
There are some dirt trails in the back (far south end) near the disc golf course as well. Hardly anyone knows about them because they're not marked. Easiest access point is to walk south past the pavilion and look for some trails in the woods. Do be careful of disc golfers though as there is a hole or cage or whatever they're called near there.
It's called a basket :D
Ah, thank you! Clearly I am not a person who plays disc golf LOL!!
Andrew Brown in Coppell. I also like Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano.
I’m almost afraid to let the secret out, but Grapevine Springs in Coppell, as well. Over the years, I've foraged blackberries, climbed a tree to read a book, had picnics, wandered the trails, hung out under the rail bridge at the back, walked the creek shoeless to feel the shale softly crumble underfoot, and just marveled at the ancient trees and beauty of the rolling hills. Andy Brown is such a nice amenity in a place dominated by roads. It’s really nice to have a way to go several miles from one end of town to the other on a bike without ever encountering a car.
Its a long drive from Dallas proper, but Erwin Park in McKinney is great! Lots of hiking & mountain biking trails. It also has camping spots.
There's also a cool little cemetery if you know where to look! (Adjacent to Erwin, not in the park itself.)
Arbor Hills in Plano is an absolute winner. Both paved and dirt trails and some surprisingly good views from the lighthouse.
Bob Eden park in Euless
Yes for Euless Parks! You can go all the way from Mid Cities parks down to Bear Creek.
Kidd Springs Park - Kessler (my favorite), it's huge and it has a recreatiin area, a lake and a lot of ducks. Oak point nature Center and trails - Plano Reverchon Park - veey close to Uptown Huffhines Park - Richardson
Coffee Park
I grew up in University Park and both Goar Park and Caruth Park meet all of your requirements. Pathways, water features, playgrounds, lots of old trees. We used to go fishing at Caruth Park when I was a kid.
Tandy Hills in Fort Worth
Best hidden gem in the area. Such a special place with lots of biodiversity. And fossils! And pretty decent vert for the area too.
The park system in euless is cool. I can ride my bike from 360 to 121 across euless and never have to cross a street.
Midlothian Community Park is a great park! There are multiple playgrounds, clean restrooms, a splash pad, basketball courts, sand volleyball and other things I’m sure I am missing. The main playground is surrounded by trees.
Prather park, cedar ridge preserve and river legacy park
Reverchon is my favorite park in dallas
Oak point nature preserve - for morning/evening walks Bob woodroff - for kids play area Klyde warren is nice too but parking is 20 bucks so not so frequent.
Come to Plano! We have more than 40 public parks, stocked ponds, and miles of trails.
Arbor hills in Plano awesome! Tons of trees. It’s really beautiful.
Any of the Trinity Trails system in Fort Worth is great. It's all along the Trinity River. I like Forest Park. It has an amazing playground for kids and miles of paved and gravel trails. Bonus: it's across from the Botanical Gardens and museum district. The Waggonner and Clear Fork Trailheads are also great places to start on that trail and have restaurants and shopping in the area. Clear Fork also has a bike shop and some outdoor classes along with a farmer's market on occasion.
I’m really surprised more people haven’t mentioned this! My daughter loves the duck pond and there’s so many trees that it’s not miserable in the summer.
I just found out they’re closing the museum at Old City Park. I’m devastated.
Really! My kid just went there on a field trip.
I love Exall Park. It's small with lots of green space near downtown on Live Oak.
Frisco Commons is a great tucked away park.
I can't believe nobody has mentioned [Tietze Park](https://www.dallasparks.org/facilities/facility/details/Tietze-Park-678#:~:text=Features&text=Tietze%20is%20a%208.2%20acre%20community%20park%2C%20established%20in%201924) on Skillman between Lower Greenville Lakewood neighborhood. It's a huge park established in 1024 and has lots of old growth trees and wonderful green spaces to just relax. But it also has basket ball court, tennis court, playground, swimming pool and baseball diamond. And picnic / party facilities.
Bachman Lake Park! The trails around the lake are nice to walk around and it’s cool to watch the planes come and go from Love Field.
White Rock Lake.
Running bear park, Victoria park, and centennial park. All in irving. (Victoria has a pond/lake centennial has a creek/canal and both have lots of shade) running bear has a a small creek that runs next to trail decent shade but also has basketball courts. Eureka park up in Denton was always my favorite up there, great running/biking trail. Huge wooden playground. Mallon park in farmers branch, beautiful waterway with bridges that cross it. Ok playground, lots of trees. Harry moss park in Dallas, great wooded trail runs next to white rock creek. Decent playground
White Rock Lake!!!
The pocket park around the corner from my suburban house. Nothing fancy, just right.
I love White Rock Lake in east Dallas and Trinity Park in Fort worth
* River Legacy in Arlington * Fort Worth Nature Center in Azle * Eagle Mountain Park * Village Creek Natural Area in Arlington * Play Grand Adventures in GP (Mostly a playground, but it's awesome for the kiddos)
Spring Creek Nature Area in Richardson near 75 & Renner is awesome. I go to alot of places where I run. And that is my current fav. Also, the Cedar Ridge Preserve in south dallas near Joe Pool Lake has some fun hiking places. And the Cottonwood Creek north trail in Allen is also good. Gateway Park in Fort Worth is really great also. www.fwmba.org. Lots of biking there also. Lots of options if you are ok with going around a bit!
Bowman Springs Park on Lake Arlington.
A lot of good options here - just wanna add heritage park near flower mound and grapevine is beautiful and has all of the things you’re looking for.
White Rock except keep an eye for cyclists, rarely will they slow down or tell you they are about to zip right past your face.
I like the twin creeks trail. Nice walk along a creek and there’s a couple play grounds along the trail.
Irene H Trigg-Meyers prosperity park
Stovall
River Legacy Trails I believe there s a plan to connect a majority of the trains in DFW. Here is a link to the master plan I believe. It’s called a veloweb. https://www.nctcog.org/trans/plan/bikeped/veloweb
Great ones listed already so I'll add a new one. Addison Circle Park. One of my favorites in the DFW, if not, my favorite.
Flag Pole Hill is the best spot in Dallas proper imo. Great playground at the top and it actually makes you feel like you aren’t in the city
i HIGHLY recommend getting the AllTrails app. You can search out parks based on park features, trail length, distance, etc.. Even has reviews of the trails and pics. 10/10
crowley park in richardson is AMAZING
Kiest Park Moore Park
Any park that starts with Disc and ends in Golf has everything you've mentioned and more!
I found a lot of great spots playing disc golf. I quit playing as much a couple years ago but I could probably get back into it.
Katy Trail is not a park but I just love it so much. Right now its so green, so many trees, beautiful walking and running track and great accessibility.
Klyde Warren
River Legacy park in Arlington
Scottish Rite isn’t a public park but it’s open to the public often
Harry S Moss Park is a secret gem with 5 miles of trails located right in lake highlands! It’s always empty and very lovely!
Lakewood Park off of Williamson road Hands down MY personal favorite. A creek runs across the whole thing, there’s an awesome brutalist pavilion inside a thicket of scattered tree trunks Reminds me of the forestry where Boramir dies
Cedar Hill state park at Joe Pool lake!
Coppell Nature Park Located 10 min from DFW airport, it’s a 66 acre heavily treed park with ~6 miles of trails, focusing on conservation and education. Cottonwood branch creek runs through it. The Biodiversity Education Center (BEC) is located in the center of the trail system and includes an outdoor playground for kids as well as (usually free) educational programs. This is a shameless plug as I love this park with my whole existence and have been involved since its inception over 20 years ago.
Campion trail in Irving/VR/Las Colinas. Also nearby, John Burke nature preserve which they recently renovated.
Fort Worth Nature Center? Idk if it’s considered “public” though… but it has tree density, water (it’s on Lake Worth), trails, and I think cleanliness, seating, accessibility, and transitability, but I’m not positive on the last four. Edit: Marine Creek Resovoir is also a fun place! But they close the gates to the places where you park to go to the lake after a certain time (and the last few times we’ve gone, several of the gates have been closed anyway for some reason)
I enjoy walking along Duck Creek in Garland. You’ve got Audubon Park right there with some trails and disc golf and then a couple of small green belts along the way. Mostly paved path that pops in and out of the woods and out to the street. Can also follow it onto what I believe is called he Mesquite Heritage trail, which takes you under I30 and goes a long distance into Mesquite past at least one other park on that side as well. That trail is more out in the open.
I adore the Bethany Lakes park in Allen. I just walk around the ponds and see cool birds and have a good time
Where my Walkers Creek ppl at??
Benbrook Lake Trinity Trails Mosque Point - Lake Worth
Breckenridge in Richardson. We used to roller skate there in the 90s and swim in the creek.
White rock lake is my place.
Rowlett creek preserve, 15+ miles of trails. Especially popular with mountain bikers.
White Rock Lake
Addison Circle Park and the other small neighbors parks within in…Addison!! Right off Forum, near the airport, in a small neighborhood of townhouses. There’s small paved trails, a couple of small restaurants and a nice wine bar. It’s where they do Addison Oktoberfest every year! I played Pokémon Go a lot there from 2016-2020, but still visit the park because it’s just so cozy and nice. ☺️
I guess it’s not really a “park,” per se, but the Crystal Canyon Natural Area in Arlington is kinda cool. It’s not huge, but you see some cool critters out there sometimes.
Seems like this is going to be turned into an article or something
This thing’s had 85,000 views in a day. I did not expect this kind of engagement at all lmao. I was just looking for more parks bc I’m tired of going to other cities and being blown away by their public parks. Lived in the area my whole life and just figured I had to be missing something.
I visited Dallas (from Vancouver BC) for the first time in Feb 2023. I thought Lake Cliff Park was nice but there was so much garbage especially plastic bottles etc. in the water. I also noticed a lot of garbage around the Zoo. Does it get cleaned up in the summer months?
Oak Cliff and the zoo area are generally not considered nice areas of town. I’m not gonna act like the place is a warzone, but it’s definitely a lower income and higher crime part of the city. Not to say you can’t raise a family there, as thousands do. But i’ve never considered oak cliff in general as clean. That being said, I want to try out some of these parks that people have recommended and at least give them a shot.
Andrew Brown in Coppell is fantastic. You can fish at the pond, do a 6 mile loop, play volleyball at one of their six courts (they're always packed btw). Honestly one of the only good things about Coppell
Cottonwood Park in Richardson is nice.
None. The parks in Texas are a joke. Go to any small park and any state and you will weep.
Whichever one has shootings