Dallas City Park is a historic park and a living museum. Originally called City Park in 1876, the park now houses a collection of historic buildings including an antebellum plantation house, a general store, a saloon, and more.
The park is also home to a disc golf course, play areas for kids, and walking trails that follow Rickreall Creek. You’ll be glad you read this!
Disc Golf Course
The Dallas City Park is a large park spread out over several blocks. It has something for everyone. It’s got a pretty sized frisbee golf course, play areas for kids of all ages, miles of walking and running trails, a cute little Japanese-style garden, and even a stream (Rickreall Creek) that runs right through the center.
The course in Founders Park has lots of elevation changes and a variety of tree-lined holes that can challenge the novice disc golfer and provide opportunities for trick shots for the more experienced player. The course is located at 1378 N Zang Blvd within Founders Park.
The Lawnview Park consists of 18 holes with multiple pins and a practice basket. It is a mixed-use park so there is a chance of other park users interfering with the game play so please throw it with caution. The course is located in the Brandvold section of the park which can be accessed via the entrance located at 401 Southwest Levens Street and heading west on Brandvold Drive.
Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden at Dallas City Park is a must-see attraction for any visitor to the park. The garden features traditional plants, rock arrangements, and water gardens. The garden is the perfect place to relax after a long day.
Most major American cities have Japanese gardens. But Dallas hasn’t forgotten about the one it had, thanks to local artist Cynthia Mulcahy and a concerted community effort.
After spending a month in Japan learning about architecture and sculpture, Mulcahy became curious about the specifics of what was found at Kidd Springs Park. She started digging into public records, interviewing people who lived near the park ages ago, and tracking down landscaping contracts.
She learned that Ethel Buell, an oil heiress from Muskogee, began collecting Japanese art in the 1920s and built a ten-acre Japanese garden. She offered the collection to Tulsa’s Philbrook Museum of Art in the 1950s, but they declined due to anti-Japanese-American discrimination at the time. Learn more about McMinnville here.
Playgrounds
Dallas isn’t usually hailed for its ties to nature, but this glittering city on the plains has a wealth of parks and greenways, including some perfect for families.
A paved trail called the TRACK passes through the park and connects many of its recreational features, from the disc golf course to the playgrounds and the historic Japanese garden. The path also runs alongside Rickreall Creek and offers scenic views of the City Park gazebo and other structures.
Before 2022, Downtown Dallas was all business, says Amy Meadows, president of Parks for Downtown Dallas, the nonprofit that oversees Klyde Warren Park and four other downtown parks. Then families moved in and the parks had to be expanded. Three of the new parks — Pacific Plaza, West End Square, and Carpenter Park — were formerly parking lots, and the fourth (Old City Park) is a historic collection of buildings. The landmark commission voted to begin the process of designating Old City Park on Oct. 2, but it could take years for the designation to come into effect.
Walking Trails
Dallas isn’t often hailed for its connection to nature (aside from the grass on the Cowboys’ home field), but this city on the plains has a wide variety of parks and urban trails that are perfect for walking, hiking, or jogging.
Take a hike at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center to witness the park’s famous dogwood blossoms in early spring, or visit year-round for great views of the wetlands and wildlife. The trail system also includes a paved walking path, making it easy for hikers of all ages to enjoy the outdoors.
Scenic and rich in wildlife, Cedar Ridge Preserve gives you a taste of Texas Hill Country right here in the metro area. You can hike its eight separate trails, or grab a picnic lunch and a book on the Grassy Knoll and relax with your favorite outdoor activity. Kids will love the Animales Atletas/Animal Athletes adventure, a bilingual brochure that challenges them to exercise with animals like lizard pushups and bird hand-swings. Continue reading the next article.
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