Discovering your Town series: Legacy Trail, Plano

 Legacy Trail in Plano is another one of those gorgeous oasis in the middle of the urban jungle. A part of this trail is right next to the very busy Preston Road. As you walk this trail alongside Preston Road to the east and horse ranches to the west, you will pass large grassy areas filled with wildflowers and a variety of birds like scissor tail flycatchers, blue jays, and barn swallows. 

The trail meanders along Whiterock creek where you can watch many kinds of shorebirds like egrets, herons, killdeer, and sandpipers. It is truly a birder's paradise and a must visit during any season. It's a fairly popular trail and is always filled with walker, joggers and birders.

The trail beyond Tennyson Parkway opens up onto a lake and there are several spillways that have beautiful views that transport you to a different place.

The trail has been slowly expanded to 4.4 miles and I am looking forward to the remaining connectors that will complete the trail from McDermott Road upto Spring Creek Road.

Here are some pretty images of the trail: 

Discovering my town series: Goar Park and Williams Park, Dallas

Goar Park is one of many area parks maintained by the City of Dallas. It is located in the Highland Park area which is a rather exclusive residential community in the metroplex. 

I started my walk at the Highland Park Presbyterian Church which is a beautiful Gothic Revival structure built in 1920s. Walking East from the church you will reach Williams Park, a small urban grassy knoll overlooking a pretty pond. 

Williams Park is home to the iconic LOVE sculpture created by political pop artist Robert Indiana. This piece is on loan from Pauline and Austin Neuhoff and the city of Dallas and its residents are fortunate to be able to enjoy this public art installation. 

As you stroll along the pond, south on Williams Parkway, you will pass the beautiful Highland Park City hall and city offices, well manicured lawns and tastefully landscaped grounds. The City Hall grounds are landscaped with a lovely water feature that meanders along to Goar Park.

Goar Park has large, open grassy areas and a pretty gazebo that stands at the center of the park. This is a popular place for photo shoots. At night,the gazebo is beautifully lit and makes you want to linger and enjoy the quiet, evening hours.

Williams Park and Goar parks are two small parks but it's surrounded by beautiful residential homes that back to Turtle Creek. If you're looking for a short walk along a pretty creek with beautiful landscaping and the chance to enjoy some iconic art installation, head to Goar Park and Williams Park.

Highland Park Presbyterian Church

Iconic public art installation by Robert Indiana

The Gazebo at Goar Park

Turtle Creek

Williams Park

Water feature at City Hall

Beautifully lit gazebo at dusk

Discovering your Town: Nasher Sculpture Center

Tom Sachs Tea Ceremony at the Nasher Sculpture Center

In the Inner Garden of this project the artist expects the “world to drop away” . Here you find a water basin for purification and a Bonsai....on closer inspection you notice that the Bonsai is composed of materials “ used to plumb and police one’s own innermost depths”
Can you guess what the Bonsai is made of? See close up in picture below.
A thought provoking , interesting exhibition with some unexpected materials used in the compositions.

The outdoor sculpture garden was a well manicured , serene green space dotted with interesting works of art.


This is the Bronze crowd by Magdalena Abakanowicz. The artist considered crowds as mindless beings that do not think as individuals and tried to convey aspects of passivity, suffering, and fear aggression through her works.

My Curves are Not Mad by Richard Serra

An interesting feeling as you walk through the sculpture, almost like walking towards the light as if to say that everything will be alright - there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Paper Into Scuplture  - Inner Water 2012 by Noriko Ambe

The paper sculpture conveys the feeling of waves maybe even a tsunami. The artist likens these to human emotions and feelings.

Head of a Woman  by Pablo Picaso

Working Model for Three Piece No: 3 Vertebrae by Henry Moore

The calming landscape with a beautiful pond, tall shady trees, well manicured lawns, sculptures that served as seating such as the Settee with two Chairs by Scott Brown - the perfect place to spend your Saturday afternoon soaking up the creativity and mastery of these wonderful artists and many more and a wonderful way to rediscover your city and surrounding neighborhoods,