Kayakers and canoe enthusiasts can have double-the-fun in Arlington following the May 11th dedication of the new River Legacy Parks Paddling Trail. In addition to paddling the Trinity River inside River Legacy Parks, there’s also Lake Arlington which provides a taste of nature inside our urban center.
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- River Legacy Parks Paddling Trail sign near access point.
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- Kayaking the Trinity River in North Arlington.
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- Access point for River Legacy Parks Paddling Trail is under this bridge.
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- Lake Arlington’s Paddling Trail has 3 access points.
River Legacy Parks Paddling Trail & Lake Arlington Paddling Trail
River Legacy Parks: 3020 N. Collins St.
Lake Arlington: (3 entry points, see addresses below)
http://www.arlingtontx.gov/parks/simple/lake_paddling.html
The new River Legacy Parks Paddling Trail is 2 to 8 miles total (1-6 hour float time, depending on water level, flow rate & wind speed). Paddlers will start at the River Legacy Parks access site and paddle as far up the trail as you wish before heading back where you started.
The first set of riffles that require a portage going upstream are about 1 mile from the access site. You can turn back at that point, or keep going upstream as long as you want before turning back downstream to return to the launch. Future access sites are being planned
The water quality is suitable for kayaking and canoeing, but not for swimming.
The access point is located within River Legacy Parks, under a pedestrian bridge.
To enter River Legacy Parks (3020 N. Collins Street) in far north Arlington, take Collins Street one block north of Green Oaks Blvd. Turn west. Click here for map/directions: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/paddlingtrails/inland/arlington_riverlegacyparks/index.phtml#getthere
The put-in/put-out is under the walking bridge. When you turn into the park entrance, drive ahead; you will see the bridge on your left as well as the sign for the paddling trail. The road will dead-end in the parking lot; park there to access the put-in/put-out.
For more information about River Legacy Parks Paddling Trail, click here: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/paddlingtrails/inland/arlington_riverlegacyparks/index.phtml#getthere
The Lake Arlington Paddling Trail is the first paddling trail in the DFW metroplex as well a the first flat-water paddling trail in the entire state of Texas! The trail is 10.9 miles total (4 miles from Richard Simpson Park to Eugene McCray Park; 7 miles from Bowman Springs Park to Eugene McCray Park; no connection between Richard Simpson Park and Bowman Springs park on eastern side of lake).
There are 3 put-in/take-out areas along the Lake Arlington Paddling Trail. Here are 3, including addresses (all in Arlington; the lake is on the far west border of the city):
*Richard Simpson Park – 6300 W. Arkansas Lane. Click here for map/directions: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7TSND_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=richard+simpson+park+arlington+tx&fb=1&gl=us&hq=richard+simpson+park+arlington+tx&hnear=richard+simpson+park+arlington+tx&cid=9033877749010079282
*Eugene McCray Park – 3449 Quail Road (click here for map/directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=3449+quail+rd+arlington+tx&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7TSND_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x864e7b2030aad30b:0xd6b64a28d35f5281,3449+Quail+Rd,+Fort+Worth,+TX+76119&gl=us&ei=qnvQTeL3A8jj0gH_2fSXDg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBYQ8gEwAA
*Bowman Springs Park – 7003 Poly Webb Road (two blocks west of Shorewood Dr.)
Click here for map/directions to Bowman Springs Park: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7TSND_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=bowman+springs+park+arlington+tx&fb=1&gl=us&hq=bowman+springs+park+arlington+tx&hnear=bowman+springs+park+arlington+tx&cid=7191840755147988066
Lake Arlington Paddling Trail is open dawn-to-dusk. Daily lake passes are $5. Save money with an annual lake pass for $25 (annual pass for senior citizens only $12).
Simpson Park on the eastern edge of the lake
Click here to link to a map of the Lake Arlington Paddling Trail: http://www.arlingtontx.gov/parks/PDF/Lake/paddlingtrail_map.pdf
For more information about Lake Arlington, call the Lake Office between 8am-5pm at (817) 451-6860.
You don’t have to own a kayak or canoe to enjoy the river or Lake Arlington. Here are local Arlington businesses which rent/sell kayaks and equipment:
*Arlington Paddle & Outdoor Rentals – 1922 Glenhaven St; (817) 301-5646.
*Flatwater Kayaks – 5300 Falcon Wood Court; (817) 451-9230; www.flatwaterkayak.com
*Mountain Sports – 2025 W. Pioneer Pkwy; (817) 461-4503; www.mountainsports.com
Arlington Insider 