Kiest Park (Photo by Danny Fulgencio)
Nearly three miles of trails will be built at the Kiest Conservation Area this year through a partnership between local news station WFAA and environmental advocacy group Greenspace Dallas. The project is in celebration of WFAA‘s 75th anniversary
“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,” said WFAA’s Vice President and Station Manager, Carolyn Mungo, in a statement Thursday.
The trail will connect with the current half-mile loop in the public conservation area that is maintained by Friends of Oak Cliff Parks in partnership with the city of Dallas. It is the latest in a series of upgrades to the preserve, which recently had an outdoor classroom installed at the trail entrance.
Jon Papp, a Kiestwood resident and Friends of Oak Cliff Parks member, said he believes work on the trail will start as soon as the ground is dry.
“This grant was initiated by Greenspace Dallas and they followed through with it, we are now just the lucky benefactors,” Papp said.
Greenspace Dallas will construct the trail, and install an educational kiosk, interactive trail markers and trailside benches using a $75,000 community grant given by WFAA through the TEGNA Foundation.
A ribbon cutting ceremony for the trail is expected in September. Once approved by the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, it will be named the WFAA Nature Trail.
