DALLAS — Before fall arrives, Dallas residents will have a new nature-filled walking trail to enjoy alongside other recreational activities the city offers.
The Kiest Conservation Area is part of the 263-acre Kiest Park and is arguably one of the most scenic places in the Dallas community. That's why WFAA and Greenspace Dallas are partnering to bring a nearly three-mile trail in the nature preserve a reality.
It will be an extension of the existing half-mile trail featuring wildflowers and native prairie grass fields. The project is a key community initiative in celebration of WFAA’s 75th anniversary of its debut as a local television broadcaster on September 17, 1949.
“WFAA’s legacy is rooted in our commitment to our community,” said WFAA’s Vice President and Station Manager, Carolyn Mungo. “What better way to celebrate that legacy than by partnering with Greenspace Dallas to create this living symbol of our dedication to make North Texas a better place to live,” Mungo said.
The name of the said trail still needs to be approved by the City of Dallas Park and Recreation Board, but "The WFAA Nature Trail" has a nice ring to it.
The project will be funded by the TEGNA Foundation, WFAA's parent company. The TEGNA Foundation is giving Greenspace Dallas a $75,000 grant to construct the trail, install an educational kiosk, interactive trail markers, and trailside benches.
Greenspace Dallas’s trail staff has built more than 12 trails in the Dallas area and currently maintains three green spaces.
“Greenspace Dallas is very excited to partner with such prestigious and community-oriented organizations as WFAA and the TEGNA Foundation,” said Richard Buckley, CEO of Greenspace Dallas. “We are grateful to be supported in the project by the Friends of Oak Cliff, which currently advocates for park improvements throughout the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, “ Buckley said.
This collaboration is a direct reflection of enhancing the quality of life for North Texans giving them the chance to explore the city's cultural heritage and iconic landscapes.
The WFAA Nature Trail is anticipated to open with a trailhead ribbon-cutting ceremony in September 2024.