As we move further into the holiday season, I’m looking at our accomplishments across Dallas and feeling a sense of gratitude. It’s a great honor that The Loop Dallas was provided an opportunity to bring something truly incredible to our city.
This year The Dallas Morning News wrote, “It’s hard to get big things done in Dallas lately. But it’s not impossible. If anyone is proving that now, it’s the folks behind The Loop trail project.”
Connecting Dallas with a trail system has not been fast or easy. Thinking about what it takes to have a truly successful public-private partnership, I’ve come up with the term “inspirational persistence.” The three projects below highlight instances where The Loop Dallas and our partners have persevered through challenges, in order to realize the incredible finished product.
I’m grateful to my Board, our supporters, and public partners for their persistence, bringing us to a place of inspiration for our city.
Prioritizing the Safety of Trail Users: The Hi Line Connector’s Mid-Intersection Crossing
The most complicated component of this one mile connection between the Katy Trail and Trinity Strand Trail was the design and construction of the city’s first mid-intersection crossing at Oak Lawn Avenue and Hi Line Drive.
The crossing is one of our standout achievements and a pioneering feature in urban design. This innovative crossing enhances pedestrian safety and accessibility, allowing for seamless transitions across busy intersections. By prioritizing the safety of walkers and bike riders, The Loop Dallas sets a new standard for urban mobility and encourages a more vibrant, active community.
Passing Under the Railroad Bridge: The Trinity Forest Spine Trail
Right next to our bridge over White Rock Creek, the Trinity Forest Spine Trail passes under a Kansas City Southern railroad trestle. This part of the trail allows users to pass under an active rail line, a first in North Texas and a major milestone for Dallas Park and Recreation Department and the region. Both Kansas City Southern and The Loop Dallas put trail user safety first and invested considerable time and resources to ensure a safe, sustainable passage under this trestle.
A Beautiful Mural Welcoming Trail Users Under an Overpass: Setting a Creative Precedent
Art plays a vital role in community identity, and in August, we were thrilled to work with a talented group of diverse local artists to create a one of a kind mural on the DART overpass next to I-35. This vibrant artwork beautifies the landscape and sets a precedent for future public art in Dallas.
The mural reflects our collective creativity and serves as a canvas for storytelling, activating this space and inviting residents and visitors to engage with the cultural richness of our city. This is the first DART bridge facade to be painted (the portion above the roadway). We hope you’ve been able to check it out and see how the space has transformed.
Looking Ahead
We are grateful to celebrate these accomplishments that embody tenacity, vision and partnership. Together, we are setting the stage for a brighter future in our city, one that prioritizes community engagement, inclusivity and Connecting Dallas to Dallas.
Thank you for being a part of The Loop Dallas journey. As always, we sincerely appreciate your support.
See you on the trails,
Philip Hiatt Haigh
Executive Director
The Loop Dallas
