Get Outside in North Dallas
Like many people, I enjoy binge watching a show on the weekend, and I can easily become obsessed with a good TV series. Before I realize it, I have spent most of the weekend indoors and hours, immobile on the sofa. When the show ends, I begin to search for something else to watch. Moving from one show to another is an attempt to escape the boredom that I feel, but I am just prolonging it. I need a change of scenery and my foggy brain needs some clarity.
If you live in (or are visiting) the northern suburbs of Dallas, Texas, there are many options for outdoor activities to re-engage your brain and squash the boredom. I am going to share some of my favorite places to spend time outdoors near Richardson and Plano, and hopefully you will join me as I put the binge watching on pause and get some sunshine. I know there are many other great outdoor spots in Richardson and Plano - share your favorites in the comment section below.
Incredible Nature Centers
-Spring Creek Nature Area (Richardson): The city of Richardson has set aside 100 acres near N. Central Expressway and Renner Rd. for hikers and bicyclists. With multi-use trails, nature areas, hardwood forests, and views of Spring Creek, this area is a respite from city life. Once you take a few steps into the woods, you forget that you are right in an urban center. If you are looking for a shaded spot to sit or paved trails to jog on, this place is worth checking out. The pedestrian bridges are also wonderful for portrait or nature photography. For more information about this nature area, visit the North Texas Trails site.
-Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve (Plano): This is the largest park in Plano with 800 acres to explore. There are 3.5 miles of concrete and boardwalk trails, and 5 miles of unpaved trails. The park contains a large lake with multi-use paths around it. You can view wildlife - turtles as well as ducks, geese, cranes, and other waterfowl. The lake is a perfect spot to catch a beautiful Texas sunset (one of my favorite sunset spots in the area) or you can stand up paddleboard, kayak, or canoe in the lake. There is also a field at the east end of the park that has a grove of oak trees on the edge. These trees are the best place to string up a hammock and rest for an afternoon. For directions and trail maps, visit the City of Plano site.
-Arbor Hills. Nature Preserve (Plano): There is a second, must-visit nature preserve in Plano on the west side of town. Arbor Hills is a 200-acre, hilly park that contains 3 miles of paved hiking trails, 3 miles of unpaved hiking trails, and a 2.8-mile, off-road bike trail. There are also restrooms and a playground. Although smaller than Oak Point, Arbor Hills’ topography makes hiking here so much fun. When I feel adventurous, I enjoy hiking the Outer Loop Trail. This unpaved path that circles the park makes you feel like you are in a rural setting. There is also a tower in the center of the park that provides amazing views at sunset. Arbor Hills is a popular place for family portraits and engagement photos, and you will often see photographers at sunset. Note: The park is closed on Wednesdays for routine maintenance. For more information visit the City of Plano site.
Gorgeous Public Parks
-Crowley Park (Richardson): I stumbled upon this park one evening, and I was astonished at how beautiful it was - especially at sunset. There is a small waterfall flowing into a still, tree-lined pond. This is one of the best places to capture reflection photos at sunset. The dark, calm water is like a mirror for the large trees. I can’t wait to visit the park in different seasons to experience this location at various times of the year. There are also playgrounds, fields for picnics or sports, and benches for relaxing. There are also paved paths for bike riding, walking, or jogging.
-Prairie Creek Park (Richardson): This linear park is one of my favorites because of its waterfall. Located in a neighborhood, this park straddles Prairie Creek. With a beautiful wooden bridge over the creek and the waterfall, this park is a popular place for family photos and engagement pics. My favorite spot is the stone embankment next to the waterfall. It creates the perfect place to sit and listen to the water flow. This area is wort a visit in all seasons, but I particularly love this park in the fall. Most people tend to visit the eastern side of the creek, but I encourage you to walk across the bridge and explore the western trail along the creek as well. It makes you feel like you are in a more remote area and there are many squirrels and birds you can view on this side of the creek.
-Hoblitzelle Park (Plano): Plano has no shortage of beautiful parks, but the one I visit more than any other is Hoblitzelle Park. With 3.7 miles of paved trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds, this is an excellent option for families. The paved trail travels along both the north and south sides of Russell Creek with a beautiful pedestrian bridge connecting the two sides. My favorite spot is under the south side of the pedestrian bridge because you can walk right down to the water. Sitting on a rock and watching the water carry leaves down the stream is a meditative and relaxing way to pass the time. You can also take unpaved trails along the south edge of the creek. These wooded paths become hilly and can be a little more strenuous, but they are fun to explore. If the weather is nice, take a blanket and picnic to enjoy on the open grassy areas that border the woods.
-Bob Woodruff North and South (Plano): This large park is split into two sections by E. Park Boulevard. The northern section is the larger part of the park, and it connects to the southern end of the Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve. This upper part of the park contains a lake for fishing, paved bike and walking paths, a pavilion, restrooms, and playgrounds. The southern section of the park also contains paved walking and bike paths, a pavilion and restrooms, but there are two special features to the lower part of the park: the Bicentennial Bur Oak and the Dog Park at Bob Woodruff. The Bicentennial Bur Oak is Plano’s oldest tree at 200 years of age, and the dog park is a double-gated, fenced in part of Bob Woodruff Park that is approximately 7 acres in size. Visit the City of Plano site for guidelines and information about the dog park. I prefer the Bob Woodruff South because of the forested area - it is a wonderful place to relax in nature.
Awesome Outdoor Trails for Biking
-Duck Creek Linear Trail (Richardson): There are several longer trail systems in Richardson that are great for bike riding, but one of the most enjoyable is the Duck Creek Linear Trail. This path meanders through a neighborhood alongside Duck Creek and it can be extended by connecting to Owens Park, Huffhines Park, and Mark Twain Park. In my opinion, this is one of the prettiest areas in Richardson, and you can explore it all via the trails. To see a trail map for the Duck Creek Trail and other Richardson trails, visit the Richardson Trail System site.
-Chisolm Trail (Plano): If you live near Plano, you are probably. familiar with the Chisolm Trail. It begins at Harrington Park and travels northwest to Legacy Drive through central Plano. The trail follows Spring Creek for approximately 5.2 miles and is ideal for walking, biking, and jobbing. There are several playgrounds along the greenbelt trail and a few lakes that offer beautiful scenery for a respite. For a map of the Chisolm Trail and more information, visit the City of Plano site.
These incredible outdoor places motivate me to get into nature more often. Knowing there are trails to explore, sunsets to watch, and wildlife to view makes it easier to press the off switch on the TV remote and go to a local park or nature preserve. If you live in or visit the north Dallas area, hope you decide to spend time in one of these places - or if you know of a different spot that I need to check out, let me know in the comments. Let’s explore the areas close to home - so much adventure is right outside our front doors.