L.B. HOUSTON NATURE TRAIL

Greenspace Dallas is developing L.B. Houston Nature Trail, an almost 300-acre conservancy park established in 1962. Located in northwest Dallas, this park has been closed for several years due to construction of a major sewer line. The trail system is overgrown, and invasive species have made trails completely inaccessible. Within the L.B Houston Greenbelt and the Elm Fork Greenbelt in Northwest Dallas near the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, it includes a 10-mile mountain bike trail.

The park is being redesigned into a multi-recreational green space for bicycle riders, walkers, hikers, joggers, bird watchers, fishermen, canoers, and kayakers. Once litter, debris and invasive plants are removed, Greenspace Dallas will create new and safer multi-use trails, picnic areas, riverside viewing overlooks, and a deck with a dock that overlooks the beautiful L. B. Houston Lake.

This park is being redesigned in 3 phases over next 3 years.

• Phase 1 will restore 105 acres of unusable park land. This includes removing invasive species, raising the tree canopy, and reestablishing the natural surface trail system. A picnic area will be developed by leveling the ground surface and planting grass. Custom picnic tables, benches, and barbecue grills (designed to withstand flood events) will be installed. At water’s edge, a deck will be built along with a canoe and kayak launch area, including a launch for those with disabilities. A butterfly and pollinator garden will be established, raised tread surfaces will be erected, a mountain bike skills area will be constructed, and kiosks will be installed.
• Phase 2 will develop 65 acres near the Elm Fork River and within the tree line. This phase will also include installation of custom picnic tables, benches, and barbecue grills. Greenspace Dallas will redesign the natural surface trail systems and make the new connection into the City of Irving’s Campion Trail.
• Phase 3 specifications will be determined once Phases 1 and 2 are complete but will include restoring 122 acres, the redesign of additional natural surface trail systems and the construction of more raised tread surfaces.