The Loop Dallas

Last week, The Loop Dallas joined fellow thought leaders in Chicago at Rooted, the High Line Network’s 2024 Symposium. With over 200 professionals, we explored innovative ways to connect communities through public spaces, hearing about best practices from cities like Detroit. As we continue shaping Dallas’ future and making green space a part of our city's identity, this experience strengthened our commitment to equitable, inclusive development. For The Loop Dallas, this means deepening our mission of connecting communities through our 50-mile shared public asset, and changing the way people move through neighborhoods - North, South, East and West. Hearing from other infrastructure reuse experts, it was great to gain insight around enhancing green spaces, improving access to public transportation, and boosting economic mobility for underserved areas. With every mile, we’re building a more inclusive, connected Dallas - one that thrives in harmony with the outdoors, and transforms and uplifts the daily lives of all its residents. Photography: Nadir Ali #highlinenetwork @highlinenyc

Executive Director at The Loop Dallas, Philip Hiatt Haigh has been named an Axios Local Power Player and recognized as one of the brightest names in Dallas business! Axios Power Players celebrates local rising leaders — the next generation of founders, executives, influencers and innovators who are creating the future of North Texas. The reception was held yesterday at the Dallas Museum of Art, where Axios Dallas reporters Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi and Tasha Tsiaperas hosted one-on-one conversations with Philip, as well as the CEO & Co-owner of Flipstone Vintage and Thrift, Dancing Iglesias - followed by a segment between Axios publisher Nicholas Johnston and Agency Partner/Dallas Office Lead at Jackson Spalding, Joanna Singleton. Philip’s dedication and leadership in making this transformative, 50-mile shared public asset a reality for our city is so wonderful to see recognized. The Loop Dallas is much more than a trail project - it’s connecting all of the neighborhoods in Dallas to create a green, walkable (and bikeable) city. It’s Connecting Dallas to Dallas. A big congratulations to the incredible group of 2024 recipients honored alongside him: Amber Venz Box - President, LTK Byron Sanders - President, Big Thought Dancing Iglesias - Co-owner, Flipstone Vintage and Thrift Eduardo Zaldivar - Managing partner, Mosaic ETA Elizabeth Wattley - President, Forest Forward Ivy Awino - DJ, Dallas Mavericks Jasmine Crockett - U.S. House member Maricsa Trejo - Owner, La Casita Bakeshop Mattie Parker - Mayor, City of Fort Worth Shahzil Amin - Founder, MySeema Join us in congratulating Philip on this exciting recognition!

Fly on over to the SoPac Pollinator Garden — the Monarch Migration is on its way! Each year, millions of monarch butterflies set out on an incredible journey from their breeding grounds in North America to their winter homes in Mexico. Experts predict they’ll be arriving in the SoPac garden in about a week. This week, two early arrivals were spotted! The garden features two large Frostweed plants in full bloom - essential nourishment for the migrating Monarchs. Friends of the SoPac Trail has reported these sightings to the journeynorth.org website, which tracks Monarch migration—be sure to follow along, and visit the garden next week to experience the beauty of Monarchs in flight. The SoPac Trail Respite Area Garden serves as a connecting point between nearby neighborhoods and the newly constructed SoPac Trail. Acting as a welcoming bridge between the community and the trail, it adds aesthetic appeal to the area where the trail intersects with bustling Mockingbird Lane East. The SoPac Trail is one of the latest additions to The Loop Dallas 50-mile shared public asset, named after the Southern Pacific Railroad that once occupied its path. These former railway lines have been repurposed into beloved recreational spots for pedestrians, joggers, cyclists - and butterflies, too :) Follow our friends @fotstdallas on Instagram for more details and updates!

The Loop Dallas is bridging the gaps on Dallas trails – making green space and connections to people and places a part of the Dallas identity. Speaking of bridging gaps … have you seen all of the different types of bridges (big and small) sprinkled across our trail system? You are looking at the awesome view as we ride across the Northaven Trail Bridge, which connects Northaven Trail on the westside of US-75 directly to the Cottonwood Creek Trail, and the White Rock Creek Trail on the east side. Here is a list of some #BridgesOfTheLoopDallas that you can explore! Mockingbird Pedestrian Bridge - connecting the University Crossing and Katy trails Trinity Forest Spine Trail Bridge - connecting Trinity Forest Spine Trail to the Santa Fe to Samuell Blvd Sante Fe Trestle Trail Bridge - connecting to the Great Trinity Forest, beginning at the Santa Fe Trestle Hike and Bike Trail located across the Dallas Floodway near Corinth Street and Eighth Street. The 1.86 mile trail can be accessed from Riverfront Boulevard or on the west side of the levees at Santa Fe Street Trinity Forest Spine Trail South Bridges - between the Great Trinity Forest and White Rock Lake Continental Avenue Bridge - connecting West Dallas Gateway and Trinity Skyline Trail Bridge over the Trinity River - connecting AT&T Trail and Trinity Forest Trail And last but not least, keep your eyes peeled for a small but mighty Flagpole Hill “bridge” off of White Rock! See photo at end of video :) We hope you enjoy our city's many scenic connections…one bridge at a time!

Last week, representatives from federal and state lawmaker offices joined us on a tour of The Loop Dallas! We visited the completed Hi Line Connector trail, Trinity Forest Spine Trail-phase one, and the under construction Trinity Forest Spine Trail-phase two, to see all of the progress and discuss the critical impact that The Loop is making by connecting Dallas to Dallas. As a 50-mile shared public amenity, The Loop Dallas is making green space a part of our city’s identity, uniting long-divided neighborhoods and creating a healthier, more inclusive city by connecting communities and changing how people move through them.

My dog Annie has always been an active girl! It is very important to me to keep her happy and healthy, and I really rely on Dallas parks and trails to do so. My name is Ashley Rossini and I am the newest member of The Loop Dallas. When I hit the trails, I hate to leave my pup behind! This is My (very dog-friendly) Dallas Trail Story. I like to park near the Boy Scout Hill Pavilion off of Mockingbird. There is a beautiful view of the White Rock Lake, plenty of park area, and lots of trash cans to help clean up after Annie. After we park, we walk over the lake to the dog park. This is where Annie can run around off leash to play with other dogs! You can see just how much my little nugget loves to run around. She can play with other dogs, enjoy the shade, and sometimes even take a dip in the lake. After Annie has her zoomies out, we go back on leash for a walk on White Rock Trail. It is about a 30-minute walk until we get to North West Highway. There, we can get off the trail and head over to The Lake House Grill’s dog friendly patio for some food or a drink! Annie is my best friend. She is the best dog I could ever ask for and she deserves the world. Resources like a clean dog park where I can take Annie off leash, and a safe, shaded trail where I can walk her are invaluable for us! . . . Click here to see how you can take Ashley's route: https://lnkd.in/gTuz7YDz

The Loop Dallas was in Austin, Texas last week, presenting at The Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference (TTAT)! The conference brings together those involved with bicycle, pedestrian, and other active transportation and recreation modes from around Texas and the world. Presenters share current information and examples from the active transportation field, and spark inspiration to continue striving to make things better in our communities. The conference focuses on issues of economic development, health, safety, and many other topics relevant to advancing active transportation and trails. Executive Director at The Loop Dallas, Philip Hiatt Haigh, described how for the first time in its history - Dallas will connect north, south, east, and west with a shared trail system, providing equitable access to green space and an urban forest previously inaccessible to the public. He spoke about how in partnership with the City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department, The Loop Dallas has leveraged the original $10M investment from private donors almost 8:1, securing a total $80M in public funds for hard costs. Details were shared about the Hi Line Connector, Trinity Forest Spine Trail, Discovery Gateway, The Loop Plaza, and excitingly - how all projects needed to complete The Loop Dallas are in delivery, with 9 of the 11 miles open or under construction by the end of 2024!

Dirt is officially moving on the next phase of Trinity Forest Spine Trail! This drone footage captures the new piers for the one-mile bridge parallel to US-175 with Downtown in the distance. With TxDOT leading construction, this portion of the trail is a one-mile elevated bridge, ensuring a safe and flood-proof trail experience for Pleasant Grove residents. Combined with a new Lake June Road bridge featuring bike lanes and wide sidewalks, neighbors can look forward to heightened connectivity and safety within the community. The Trinity Forest Spine Trail is projected to be completed by Spring of 2026 - we look forward to keeping you updated on all of the exciting progress!

Construction was just awarded for our Discovery Gateway project, passing unanimously at Dallas City Council last Wednesday! This photo shows the view of Trammell Crow Park and Downtown Dallas from the top of the Sylvan Ave bridge. Discovery Gateway is forging the connection between the Trinity Strand and Skyline Trails, and will set a precedent for safer streets. The design will replace a car lane in each direction of the Sylvan Avenue bridge with a protected trail for pedestrians and bike riders to travel between West Dallas, the Design District, and the Trinity River - including the Fort Worth to Dallas Discovery Trail. Passing through five cities, this 76 mile trail will connect into Dallas proper at the Discovery Gateway. The safety of people, both on the trails and in cars, is our top priority and we are excited about once again expanding best design practices in Dallas. We look forward to keeping you updated on all of the progress and groundbreaking news!

PART 5 of our Mural Update Series! The work has wrapped on our mural along the Hi Line Connector...and we couldn’t be more in awe of the completed result! We’re so excited to be activating Dallas trails with public art and to bring this one-of-a-kind mural to our city. The artwork incorporates Dallas architecture, figures, landmarks, native plants and animals…and tells the story of our city’s diversity by connecting communities and showcasing the people who move through them. This final section is on the DART overpass next to I-35. A big, heartfelt thank you to DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) for working with us on this project - more on this partnership to come! We are thrilled to be bringing more color, beauty and trail connection to Dallas. You can now move seamlessly from the Katy Trail, to the Hi Line Connector, to the Trinity Strand Trail...and soak in some amazing artwork on your way! No matter how you use the trails, we love knowing that your route has become that much brighter. Next up - we'll be sharing a six-part series allowing you to get to know each of the incredible artists and their insight on this project…stay tuned! Video by @exploredinary Project management: @muchpresents Artists: @mariellguzman @marpohl @wheron @youcancallmealec @thesamlao @hatziel #activatingspaces #publicart #trails #trailconnections #communityart #natureandcreativity #HiLineMural #ConnectingDallastoDallas