Watercrest Park Trails

Watercrest Park is a relatively new park that features a lovely half-mile strolling trail along a river. Opened in the Lake Highlands neighborhood in northeast Dallas in 2011, the 20-acre park was designed to provide space for recreation next to new retail and residential developments. For now, it functions mostly as a greenway and is a great place to walk your dog.

In addition to the sights and sounds of the running water, you'll be able to enjoy other visual delights along the trail like public art installations and manicured gardens that burst into bloom in spring and summer. Wildflowers like Mexican hat also grow along the greenway corridor. Migrating birds, wading birds, and waterfowl often alight nearby. More urbane park features include a splash pad where pups and people alike can cool off in the summer, and an amphitheater carved into a hillside where you can attend dog-friendly outdoor concerts.

While the short Watercrest Park walking trail currently serves best for quick walks, plans are underway to extend it. When completed, the trail will connect the Watercrest Park trail to the city's oldest trail, the eight-mile-long White Rock Creek Trail. 

For now, the trail still offers plenty to reward an afternoon's visit. In some places, the space to either side is narrow, while elsewhere, the land expands into lush rolling lawn in both directions, providing your dog with a great place to romp, sniff, and take a potty break. Just remember to follow city leash laws and to clean up after your dog. The park provides a drinking fountain where you can fill a water bowl, and doggie waste stations with waste bags and a trash can. It's never a bad idea to bring your own bags, though, in case the dispenser runs out.

For a pleasant stroll through the park, you can't beat the beautifully designed walking trail at Watercrest Park.