The Loop Dallas is teaming up with Better Block and trail users to activate the Cottonwood Creek Trail, aiming to make the space more inviting, inclusive, and user friendly for all. This project is specifically addressing the section of the trail South of Forest Lane up to its connection to the Northaven and White Rock Creek Trails. The project includes physical changes to the space as well as programming and community events, read below for opportunities to get involved!
Through this short-term activation we’ll test out new ideas for the space that reflect the needs of the community, gather feedback, and use insights from this project to inform a long-term plan.
Current Opportunities:
Cottonwood Run Club: Weekly running on Sunday’s starting at 8:30 from the Hamilton Park Pavillion (12225 Willowdell Dr, Dallas, TX 752443). Join Johnny and Rachel for a 1-2 mile run along the trail, all run levels welcome!
Community Clean Up: Saturday December 6th 9am-12pm hosted by Greenspace Dallas. Sign up here, walk ups welcome.
Guided Bird Walk: Sunday December 14th 9am-10:30am led by the Trinity River Audubon Center, limited spaces – registration required here.
Group Bike Ride: Sunday, December 21st riding from The Bike Shop (1002 N Central Expy, Richardson, TX 75080) at 9:30am with Richardson Bike Coalition. Event and route details here.
Project Timeline:
August 15th – September 1st: Online Community Survey and in person Community Trail Audit
October – November: Weekly meetings with our core team of volunteers including neighborhood leaders, cyclists, and runners: Emily Skees, Christy Lopez, Daniel Roby, Sonja Gold, Gina Riley, Jonathan Wise, Oren Mandelbaum, Garrett Pennell.
November 1st and 2nd: Guided Bird Walks with the Trinity River Audubon Center
November 8th: Community Clean Up hosted by Greenspace Dallas, 36 volunteers picked up 1,045.86 pounds of trash in just three hours! Dallas Bicycle Coalition’s Monthly Social ride also included a stop at the Cottonwood Creek Trail!
November 19th-21st: Community workshops hosted by Better Block to paint, build, and install new trail amenities including lighting, trashcans, signage, a mural, and more!
November 22nd 10am-2pm: A community event to see the new trail improvements, connect with neighbors, and gather feedback! Event programming included Pop-up booths by The Loop Dallas and Greenspace Dallas, a Bike Repair Station by Sun and Ski, refreshments from Kaffeine Shop, music by Kane Vinson and Thom Brownlee Jr., and a community run.
December-January: Ongoing Programming (see above)
January 23rd: Pilot complete. New elements will be removed from the trail, and information gathered throughout the pilot will be compiled into a report.
If you are interested in being involved, have any questions or programming ideas, or have a group that would be interested in volunteering please reach out to Meredith Jones at meredith@betterblock.org.
