StephenH
09-27-07, 08:07 PM
I picked up a little map of local riding trails the other day, and noticed it was out of date for the local trail. So some updated information for anyone in the area.
There has been a paved hiking/biking trail along Duck Creek in Garland for a number of years. Here about two or three years ago, it was extended considerably. This update is for anyone that doesn't realize it was extended.
From Centerville Road and Duck Creek Drive, go southeast on Duck Creek Drive. After about a 1/4 mile, there is a parking lot on the right. The trail starts here, and the first quarter mile along here is a new section. The trail goes along Duck Creek Drive all the way to Oates. It used to end here. But now, you can go under the bridge, and continue past Oates down to Green Belt Parkway. Turn right there, and the trail continues all the way out to I-30 and terminates at the I-30 service road by Walmart.
Retrace your path back down to Oates again, go back under the bridge, and then cross it on the bike path, then down under the bridge and into Audobon Park. Ride all the way through the park, up past the substation, and the trail makes a loop- go around the loop and return to Oates again. Go under the bridge and this time follow the trail back up the other side of the creek. Eventually, you come to some open soccer-type fields and a parking lot. At this point, you can cross the creek to rejoin your original route. But my preference is to go out the parking lot to Obannion, ride it down to Centerville, over to Duck Creek Drive, then back up to the trail start described above. (or cross the creek and do the reverse).
When I follow the route like this, I come up with about 9.5 miles, so it's a pretty good little loop. On the original trail, you'll have a fair number of people out walking in the evenings in nice weather, and some of them are just oblivious to their surroundings. On the newer part going out to I-30, or on Obannion, you can pick up some speed. The trail is generally around 6' wide- it's not just a narrow pedestrian sidewalk.
There are some little rises along the way, but nothing I can't do in high gear on my mountain bike, so it's pretty easy all in all.
Eventually, I think the trail is supposed to be extended more in both directions.
If you haven't been to this trail before, the scenery is nothing special to make it worth driving in from Dallas or anything. But if you live close, it may be the best shot for you to get to.
There has been a paved hiking/biking trail along Duck Creek in Garland for a number of years. Here about two or three years ago, it was extended considerably. This update is for anyone that doesn't realize it was extended.
From Centerville Road and Duck Creek Drive, go southeast on Duck Creek Drive. After about a 1/4 mile, there is a parking lot on the right. The trail starts here, and the first quarter mile along here is a new section. The trail goes along Duck Creek Drive all the way to Oates. It used to end here. But now, you can go under the bridge, and continue past Oates down to Green Belt Parkway. Turn right there, and the trail continues all the way out to I-30 and terminates at the I-30 service road by Walmart.
Retrace your path back down to Oates again, go back under the bridge, and then cross it on the bike path, then down under the bridge and into Audobon Park. Ride all the way through the park, up past the substation, and the trail makes a loop- go around the loop and return to Oates again. Go under the bridge and this time follow the trail back up the other side of the creek. Eventually, you come to some open soccer-type fields and a parking lot. At this point, you can cross the creek to rejoin your original route. But my preference is to go out the parking lot to Obannion, ride it down to Centerville, over to Duck Creek Drive, then back up to the trail start described above. (or cross the creek and do the reverse).
When I follow the route like this, I come up with about 9.5 miles, so it's a pretty good little loop. On the original trail, you'll have a fair number of people out walking in the evenings in nice weather, and some of them are just oblivious to their surroundings. On the newer part going out to I-30, or on Obannion, you can pick up some speed. The trail is generally around 6' wide- it's not just a narrow pedestrian sidewalk.
There are some little rises along the way, but nothing I can't do in high gear on my mountain bike, so it's pretty easy all in all.
Eventually, I think the trail is supposed to be extended more in both directions.
If you haven't been to this trail before, the scenery is nothing special to make it worth driving in from Dallas or anything. But if you live close, it may be the best shot for you to get to.