White Rock Lake. (Photo by Danny Fulgencio)
The Dallas City Council has approved two agenda items that will improve and increase pedestrian access to the White Rock Lake Trail, a councilman said.
The council authorized Wednesday a design contract with Halff Associates for trail improvements between the Bath House and Winfrey Point. The consulting firm will also develop new sidewalks on Garland Road in front of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, District 9 councilman Mark Clayton said.
Construction will begin in 2020 and will last through 2021, said Oscar Carmona, assistant director for Park Maintenance Services. The work will take place between the 500 and 1000 blocks of East Lawther Drive.
Improvements will be paid for through 2017 bond funds and are not to exceed $360,595, according to the meeting agenda.
“The White Rock Lake Trail is used by so many people,” Clayton said. “To have trails all the way around the lake that are in great shape says a lot about the people and groups who championed this cause.”
The project, which is part of a $3.5 million effort to refurbish the lake’s trail system, will replace old asphalt along that section of trail. Once completed, the entire loop around White Rock Lake will have been renovated.
The sidewalks in front of the Arboretum will also achieve the goals outlined in the Garland Road Vision. The plan seeks to improve the walkability and bikeability along Garland Road so residents can access shops and the trail system.
“To have connectivity around the neighborhood is one of the community’s big goals,” Clayton said. “It’s nice to be able to check off boxes for things the community said it wanted.”
