There’s something downright lovable about being called a River Rat in Dallas. Why? Because it’s associated with the Trinity project. Last Wednesday about 100 of ’em including Follette May (pictured right with future River Rat Monica Lake) gathered at Plaza II at Turtle Creek. Not shabby for rats, huh?
The purpose of the evening was to hear about the Trinity Strand Trail and Groundwork Dallas. Ugh! That sounds pretty highfalutin. But never fear. We have a simple translation. Groundwork is a nonprofit group that works to maintain and improve the Great Trinity Forest and surrounding areas. Boiling it down to language that even MySweetCharity can understand, the event was held to acquaint folks with all the Trinity Trail activity.
Thank heaven, Gail “Mother of the Trinity” Thomas (pictured) was on hand and said they’re getting ready to launch a corporate campaign for the trails, focusing on all the trails in the Trinity project. One 12-mile trail, for example, is planned to go from White Rock Lake south to the Trinity River Audubon Center. This trail is called the Trinity “spine trail.” Gail said that when she and her husband started sailing at White Rock Lake 40 years ago, they couldn’t imagine that anyone would run there around the lake. “Now look at it!” she said. It’s the same with these Trinity trails. “Thousands [of people] will be on them,” she said, once they’re built out.
Also present were Mike Kunter (pictured), past chairman and current board member of the Trinity Strand Trail, and Shelly White (pictured), executive director of the Trinity Strand Trail. Standing by a big map, they talked about the Strand, explaining that the 7.8-mile hike-and-bike commuter trail along the original Trinity River watercourse would eventually be a “connecting trail” from the Katy Trail to the Trinity River Project. It is slated to wind through the commercial areas just northwest of downtown Dallas and provide access to points of interest like the Southwestern Medical District, DART stops and the Design District.
Hello? Can someone provide a timeline? Yup, they shore can! While some limited work has been done, they hope to start construction on the Strand’s $5 million first phase sometime this year.
The evening of spreading the good word about the Trinity Trail was sponsored by Colliers International.