Discovering your Town Series: Dayspring Nature Preserve, Allen

If you are looking for a wooded greenbelt and trees that evoke images of the East coast, you should explore Dayspring Nature Preserve in Allen. This is a 26 acre wooded preserve along Watters Creek. The City of Allen has done a superb job of building neat bridges, lookout points and well placed seating spaces to sit and enjoy the greenery, the sounds of the creek and the majestic trees. 

The entire route is not wooded - parts of the trails pass through local parks, along backyards, and along a quiet road for a short stretch.  The stretch of the trail that runs behind Boon Elementary is, hands down, the prettiest part of the trail. 

In Fall this stretch has gorgeous fall colors and evokes memories of  the north east with its towering trees, boardwalks, and thickly wooded areas.

This is a lovely trail that everyone's sure to enjoy!

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 my town series: Cottonwood Creek Trail, Allen

The city of Allen has some of the most beautiful trails in Collin County.
Cottonwood Creek Trail is a 7.5 mile trail that runs through wooded areas, parks, and residential neighborhoods.  Heading out from the northern end of the trail from Hwy 121, the trail takes you through towering trees lining Cottonwood Creek that evokes an East coast feel. It continues across busy Stacy Road and the terrain changes to the familiar Texas prairie landscape as it approaches the US-75 underpass.

Past US 75, the trail traverses through a small tract of wooded land before reaching an old unused railroad. This is a high point of the trail, especially for the photo buffs who will enjoy the vibrant graffiti backdrop on the posts and structure supporting the railroad. If you are athletically inclined, you can also climb up to the railway track for some cute albeit cliched pictures.

Cottonwood Creek trail continues from the abandoned railroad to take you to the Allen Stone Dam - a landmark site and a tribute to Allen's early history and growth. The Allen Stone Dam was constructed in 1874 by the Houston and Texas Central Railway Company to provide water supply to steam locomotives. Subsequently a larger dam was constructed near what is now Exchange Parkway to service more rail traffic and the old dam was submerged and forgotten. Flood waters eventually breached the higher dam and lowered the water level which revealed the old stone structure. The Dam is designated as a Texas State Archaeological landmark and listed on the National Register of historic places.

From Allen Station the trail takes on an urban path along soft ball fields, a skateboard park, and eventually ends at the Allen Heritage Village.

So, next time, when you have guests and are wondering how to entertain them don't forget that you can provide them with a a glimpse into our very own bit of local history and culture right here in Allen.

I used to be disappointed that there was not much to explore in the DFW area other than the Sixth Floor Museum and the Reunion Center.  But ever since I started scouting my city and the neighboring towns for nature trails, I began to discover a wealth of natural beauty, woodlands, pristine lakes and a whole new way to observe and experience the local history.

Graffiti at the railroad on Cottonwood Creek Trail

Abandoned railroad  - Cottonwood Creek trail

Old Stone Dam - Allen Water Station

Beautiful bridges across Cottonwood Creek

Discovering my Town Series: Bethany Lakes Park, Allen

The city of Allen has a network of gorgeous trails and parks and Bethany Lakes is one of those gems - an oasis  in the middle of a busy town.
This is a 40 acre park with all the facilities like sports and picnic sites. But what I love about this place are the picturesque ponds, trails, the board walk, and the variety of birds that the foliage and the water body attracts.

A serene pond at sunset

The resident Great Blue heron

Snow Goose

Seagulls

Norther Shoveler

Ring Necked Duck

Widgeon

One of the best times to visit is during sunset. The beauty of the amazing Texas sunsets are magnified in this picturesque park. The trails are rather short but if you are looking to enjoy the great weather, the wildlife and take in the sunset then this is the perfect spot for you.

Discovering Your Town Series: Caddo Trail, Frisco

Entrance to the Trail at J CGrant Park

Caddo Trail  is a lovely urban trail that mostly meanders behind beautiful homes in west  Frisco. I loved walking this trails because the topography was so different. The trail starts out near Grant Park off of Wade Blvd. It takes you into a beautiful, rocky wooded area that forms the backyard for rows of gorgeous homes in that neighborhood. You can admire the lovely landscaping and gorgeous backyards if you wish.

After about 3/4 mile, the trail opens up slightly and continues along the limestone banks of Stewart Creek. As you cross a bridge over the creek, the trail goes further into the wooded parts of the area, and it becomes quieter, more meditative until it finally opens up near a new housing development.

Hopefully the City will complete the trail so that it forms a loop back to Grant Park. The trail is not very long, just about a mile one way. If you want a change of scenery and are looking for some new areas to explore, this trail is perfect for that. The pictures were taken during winter and I loved the trail even with the bare trees.

The bridge across Stewart Creek

Discovering your Town: Nature Trails

It's interesting that it took me only   20 years to find out that there was an abundance of beautiful trails within miles of where we lived. I could chalk that down to the hectic lives that we lead especially with two young children or maybe the lack of interest in spending time outdoors. Either way, I'm glad that I have the opportunity, time, and inclination now to discover, explore and enjoy these bounteous offerings of nature.

The topography of North Texas does not lend itself to those gorgeous East Coast rolling hills vistas but it has its own charm. There are several pockets of land in the North Texas area that are dottted with woods and teeming with wildlife.

One such trail is the Taychas trail in Frisco which is found alongside the West Rowlett Creek corridor. The well paved and shaded 2 mile trail is flanked by, mostly, tall, stately deciduous trees. You can catch glimpses of the limestone bed of the West Rowlett Creek as you take a stroll. Parts of the trail open up to grassy knolls and a children's park before converging again into the woods. There is a Limestone Quarry Park towards the southern part of the trail close to SH 121 which is prettied up with a small pond, fountain, and a scattering of benches to rest.

The trail ends at SH 121 but I caught sight of some construction work recently and I hope that means that the trail is being extended to connect to the Rowlett Creek Trail south of 121.

There's plenty of flora and fauna for all nature lovers and there are some off-the-road short trails that you could take if you are looking for more adventure. I caught a glimpse of a great blue heron on one of my walks. You never know what you will find unless you are out there looking. So go forth and explore and don't discount those urban nature trails - they provide a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of life.
Photos are from the trail during Fall and winter. The trail looks completely different in Spring and Summer with all the lush greenery and  the soothing sounds of the creek. That will be another post for another day.

The beautiful winding trail in winter

Taychas Trail, Frisco

Limestone banks of the West Rowlett Creek