This practical guide takes readers to the best trails found in the Great Trinity Forest, all within easy reach of Downtown Dallas. Destinations include less traveled, low-traffic areas for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding in the City of Dallas. Joppa Preserve, McCommas Bluff Preserve, Trinity River Wetlands, Texas Horse Park, Dallas Trinity Paddling Trail, Lower White Rock Creek, Sycamore Dixon, Texas Buckeye Trail, Dallas Whitewater Wave, Levee Trails, Rochester Park and more.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Great Trinity Forest Trail, Joppa Preserve
Great Trinity Trail at River Oaks Park
The Trinity River Spine Trail is the longest paved path currently in the Great Trinity Forest. The path can be accessed in three spots:
This trail is inside the Joppa Preserve, part of the Dallas County Open Space Project. Originally this land was part of the Millermore Plantation. Many of the pecan trees in the area were planted by the Miller family when it was a working farm. The original Miller cabin and the later Greek revival Millermore Mansion are now preserved at Old City Park in Dallas. The area later became known as Joppa and Floral Farms. Both were unincorporated freedman's communities for many decades without access to running water and city services.
Miller Cabin
Millermore Mansion
The path itself is the same width as the Katy Trail in Uptown. Currently there are not any public restrooms or working water fountains along the path.
The path roughly follows the shoreline of Little Lemmon Lake and then Lemmon Lake as it winds its way towards Simpson Stuart Road. Phase I of this trail was completed in the summer of 2010. Phase II which will run down the south bank of the Trinity towards McCommas Bluff will be completed some time in 2011.
Great Trinity Forest Trail, Joppa Preserve
Little Lemmon Lake, River Oaks Park
Video of the trail from Simpson Stuart area towards River Oaks Park
Foot bridge spanning creek that separates Little Lemmon Lake and Lemmon Lake. This was the filming location for the Texas Ranger scene in the movie Bonnie and Clyde.
Little Lemmon Lake
Same spot as photo above from Bonnie and Clyde
Great Trinity Trail Bridge between Lemmon Lake and Little Lemmon Lake
Same spot as photo above filmed in 1967
Good fishing in all three lakes. There is also a population of alligators in these lakes and one should be careful walking the shoreline near dawn or dusk. As a result, there are a number of warning signs near the lakes:
This is a fantastic web site. I am a volunteer at the Trinity River Audubon Center, and will share it with the volunteers and staff. There is so much to explore in the Great Trinity Forest, and most Dallasites are not aware of that. This site explains, and motivates, how to get involved. The current updates, including additional historical information, make it a real gem. Great photos,too. Thank you! Charlotte Flowers
There were a number of sites where they filmed in Southern Dallas County including South Dallas, Seagoville and Lancaster. Not sure where the scene you are looking for was filmed. There are many local citizens who worked as extras in the film, they would be able to assist you.
This is a fantastic web site. I am a volunteer at the Trinity River Audubon Center, and will share it with the volunteers and staff. There is so much to explore in the Great Trinity Forest, and most Dallasites are not aware of that. This site explains, and motivates, how to get involved. The current updates, including additional historical information, make it a real gem. Great photos,too. Thank you! Charlotte Flowers
ReplyDeleteCan you please tell me where the shootout scene was in the movie Bonnie and Clyde? The scene where Buck dies ? Thanks tedvthompsonj@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThere were a number of sites where they filmed in Southern Dallas County including South Dallas, Seagoville and Lancaster. Not sure where the scene you are looking for was filmed. There are many local citizens who worked as extras in the film, they would be able to assist you.
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