While walking on the Katy Trail I was reflecting on my dating life – thinking about how we had lost the art of meeting in person and how everyone relied so heavily on the dating apps. This thought led me to looking around and realizing that there were so many people doing the exact same thing that I was, but none of us were talking to one another.
That’s when the idea hit me. We need to find a way to connect singles by doing something we are all already doing: walking the trail. So in June 2025, The Date-Y Trail was born.
My name is Abbey Hagan, I’m the founder of The Datey and this is My Dallas Trail Story.
I posted the idea on my social media and to my surprise, it went completely viral and a couple of weeks later, we had our first event! At 6 o’clock people started coming to the trail to grab their red wristband and head on their walk. The goal was very simple: walk the trail, spot a fellow red wristband and begin mingling.
The hope was that having this event would take the stress out of approaching someone since everyone was there for the same reason. It was a low-pressure, safe and fun environment! A chance to meet someone off the apps, an unheard of “meet cute” in 2025.
Datey was the happiest accident I’ve ever had. No marketing experience, no event-planning experience, it started with a pure intention and that is how it still operates today. I always say that Datey is a way to find a crush, meet new friends and step out of your comfort zone!
I beam with pride every single event knowing that these people purchased a ticket and are putting themselves out there because they want to meet someone too.
None of this would have happened without that solo walk I took in June. Since that first event, we have now rebranded to simply, Datey. However, the trail is still very much a part of the history of the company. It is what people still know us for and I can’t help but feel that every single time I’m walking on the trail.
Dallas’ trail system does more than connect parks and neighborhoods, it connects people. For me, the trail gave me the idea of Datey, something that has completely changed my life.
