Comments on: The Renegade’s Guide to Dallas Parks

By: Marie

Marie — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:37:21 +0000

In the late afternoon of the third Saturday of each month, a group of us turn Heights Park in Richardson into circus practice space (jugglers, hoopers, and spinners of flags, staff, and poi). We invite anyone who wants to come play to come try out our toys, and it’s good teaching space.

Why Heights? We used to do this at White Rock, but the windbreak from the trees by the bordering stream makes Heights more hospitable to spinning and flying objects. Heights is big enough that there’s almost always a table available near a tree for some good shade, and plenty of space to spin without getting in the way of the walkers or picnickers - although we often convince some of them to come over and play. It also has easy parking, good bathrooms available at the rec center, and a variety of excellent neighborhood food.

By: Pecos45

Pecos45 — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:21:24 +0000

I have always enjoyed Kiest Park, ever since I first went there as a 10-year-old boy. While I admit it has “changed” since then, I think it is an under-appreciated crown jewel in the OC that just needs a little TLC. It has a nice, llloonnngg hike and bike trail (unlike that wimpy, short .6 mile one on Kessler Parkway….I hesitate to call that a trail, more like a driveway), outstanding softball fields, soccer fields, tons of open space and more facilities (tennis, basketball, rec center) than any other park in the Cliff.
The problem is that the place has become a litter magnet, with folks dropping their fast food wrappers and beer cans on the ground instead of in the trash cans.
But I still get over there once in a while to ride my bicycle around the place and reminisce. If we can keep it clean, then everyone can continue to enjoy it.

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:09:44 +0000

I have lots of photos of White Rock Lake Park. I’ll get them together and email them to you for this project.

By: J R Compton

J R Compton — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:45:43 +0000

I document White Rock Lake’s birds on my Amateur Birder’s Journal almost every day, and just being there relieves the stresses of life and work. It’s got birds and nature and a large enough expanse of water to almost be able to focus on infinity — very good for minds and eyes.

I especially love it on rainy and otherwise inclement weather days — snow, tornadoes, etc. — when there are few to no people. Then it’s magic and its all mine.

But if you are fond of people, there’s all sorts. My favorite bunch is the Bird Squad who sit in comfy lawn chairs at Sunset Bay many nights to while the time and weather away with stories about the birds and varmints and themselves, of course. Lovely bunch.

White Rock Lake is my favorite park, because it’s close, but I won’t move away, because I love it.

By: RenegadeBus » Blog Archive » Dallas Parks: White Rock Lake- Dallas art, film, theater, music, dance, architecture, ideas, stories, culture, life

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:18:28 +0000

[...] is an installment in an ongoing series about Dallas parks. To find out what this is all about click here. To participate, leave a comment, or email your words and photos to editor@renegadebusdallas.com. I [...]

By: Joan

Joan — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:53:28 +0000

If this rain holds off tonight, the DSO is performing at Kidd Springs in North Oak Cliff. Tomorrow they’re at the Arboretum, and on the 10th they hit up Exall Park. Beats sitting in the choral terrace: http://www.dallassymphony.com/Community_Concerts.aspx

By: PeterS

PeterS — Sat, 30 May 2009 14:07:03 +0000

Thanks Eva - Ridgewood/Belcher has a page now. Cheers. Same to L-Streets and Lara.

By: Eva

Eva — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:21:31 +0000

I’d like to recommend the Ridgewood/Belcher Rec Center strictly because of their spray park. As a mother of three very small children that really aren’t old enough to swim in a regular pool, the whole concept of a spray park makes a lot of sense to me right now. I wish there were more spray parks like this one! The other city spray parks I’ve seen have been in the actual pool–which doesn’t help me out a whole lot! There are many other perks to this spray park, even if you don’t have a lot of small children. Since it’s not an actual pool, you don’t ever have to worry about pool maintenance and getting sick from dirty water. Also, we all know how hot it gets here and that as the summer goes on, the pools end up feeling more like a warm bath than anything cool and refreshing. No more swimming in hot water. New for this year is an improved surface –it’s the nice soft rubber padding made from the same rubber on the bottom of tennis shoes (maybe the same stuff on tennis courts?) and it’s not slippery. The spray park at Ridgewood has a very basic playground right next to it and a large covered patio with plenty of picnic tables and plenty of grassy/shady area to spread a blanket. My niece’s birthday party was there last year and it was great. Inside the rec center are drinking fountains, bathrooms, and friendly people (only available when the rec center is open). Also, if you’re the first one to the park, you can turn it on yourself and don’t have to wait for an employee to turn it on for you. Every visit there has been a pleasant experience for us. I think the spray park is open from about mid-May to mid-September (the sign at the park has the exact dates and they might be online too).

By: L-Streets

L-Streets — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:29:45 +0000

I know that it is not necessarily a park, but if you ever have a chance to walk the Santa Fe Trail near the Holllywood Heights neighborhood you will not be disappointed. You can go to Woodrow Wilson High School and park your car at the park off of Glasgow or go over to Lindsley Park off of West Shore to access the trail. Walk the soon to be paved old Santa Fe rail line toward White Rock where someday there will be a new pedestrian bridge to walk uninterrupted over Grand Ave and meet up with White Rock’s Spillway. If you want a more urban feel, you can walk the already paved section of trail away from White Rock that goes all the way to Deep Ellum to grab some lunch or stop off at Murray Street Coffee. Hope you like this suggestion. For a map and info visit http://www.friendsofsantafetrail.org/

By: Lara

Lara — Fri, 22 May 2009 04:35:03 +0000

Our favorite park is the one at the Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital. I have been told it is open to the public, so we go there often. It is fully fenced with nice, clean bathrooms. It has an area for smaller children and one for the bigger kids. It has a green space with a playhouse and lots of trees. On top of all that, the playground equipment is beautiful (for playground equipment), which is important to me. We feel safe there, having the hospital security around and the fence to contain our kids. We love the various types of people we have met there and the long, relaxed days we have spent playing and picnicing on its tranquil grounds.