Dallas, October 21, 2025
News Summary
The Advisory Group behind the Dallas Cultural Trail announces public sessions to outline plans for a new walking and cycling pathway linking the city’s Cultural Districts. Supported by a $2 million grant, the envisioned five-mile trail will incorporate art installations and historical markers. Three sessions are scheduled for residents to provide feedback and learn about project funding and next steps. The initiative aims to enhance cultural tourism and community engagement while improving accessibility in the city.
Dallas — The Advisory Group leading the Dallas Cultural Trail is hosting a three-part series of public information sessions to present plans for a proposed walking and cycling pathway that would link the city’s three state-recognized Cultural Districts. A $2 million grant from the Department of Transportation has been awarded to support the proposed walking trail, which is expected to cost around $40 million in total and is anticipated to be a five-mile pathway designed for pedestrians and cyclists featuring art installations and historical markers.
Key details and immediate actions
The three public information sessions will explain how Dallas residents and cultural institutions can get involved, provide updates on project funding and next steps, and outline the planned sequence from digital testing to physical construction. The sessions are open to all ages and include arts and cultural institutions interested in becoming official trail sites.
Public session schedule
- October 21, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Skyline Terrace, 4th floor, Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201
- October 23, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Deep Ellum Community Center, 2528 Elm Street, Suite A, Dallas, TX 75226
- October 30, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the South Dallas Cultural Center, 3400 South Fitzhugh Ave, Dallas, TX 75210
Funding, scope and timeline
A $2 million grant from the Department of Transportation has been awarded to support the proposed walking trail. The expected total cost for the Dallas Cultural Trail is around $40 million. The trail is anticipated to be a five-mile pathway designed for pedestrians and cyclists featuring art installations and historical markers. Initial phases include a digital experience of the trail as a test before physical construction begins. Construction is anticipated to start within the next five years.
Project planning and design will use the $2 million grant for community events and initiatives and to support outreach that gathers local feedback. Community engagement will be a critical component of the project to gather local feedback. Community members will have a submission process to propose sites to be included along the trail.
Goals and expected benefits
The initiative aims to connect the city’s three state-recognized Cultural Districts: the Arts District, Deep Ellum, and Fair Park. The trail is intended to make local history, arts, and architecture more accessible through digital and physical trail experiences, enhance cultural tourism, improve accessibility across major highways that have historically divided neighborhoods, and support economic development and infrastructure improvement.
Leadership and partners
The project is being led by a coalition of community organizations dedicated to improving urban infrastructure. Key participants in the public sessions include:
- Hon. Jesse Moreno, City of Dallas Mayor Pro Tem D2
- Hon. Paul Ridley, City of Dallas Council Member D14
- Lily Weiss, Executive Director of the Dallas Arts District
- Hector Garcia, Director of Strategic Services at the AT&T Performing Arts Center
- Stephanie Hudiburg, Executive Director of the Deep Ellum Foundation
- Martine Elyse Philippe, Director of the Office of Arts and Culture
- Samuel Mortimer, President of Friends of Santa Fe Trail
Origins and future outlook
The initiative has roots dating back to 2018, with collaboration from local nonprofits like Fair Park First, Friends of Santa Fe Trail, and Dallas Arts District. The Cultural Trail is part of a larger effort to enhance Dallas’ infrastructure and connectivity. Future expansions of the trail into other parts of Dallas are being envisioned.
Project organizers emphasize that the trail will be developed in phases, beginning with a digital pilot to test routes and interpretive content before committing to physical construction. The process will include site proposals from community members, selection of official trail sites, and design work funded in part by the awarded grant.
How the sessions will be used
The public information sessions will provide details on participation, explain the community submission process for proposing sites, and offer updates on next steps for design, outreach, and funding. The events are scheduled to share specific information about how the $2 million grant will support community engagement and project planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main purpose of the public information sessions?
The Advisory Group leading the Dallas Cultural Trail is hosting a three-part series of public information sessions.
Which Cultural Districts will the trail connect?
The initiative aims to connect the city’s three state-recognized Cultural Districts: the Arts District, Deep Ellum, and Fair Park.
Who can attend the sessions?
The public information sessions are open to all ages and include arts and cultural institutions interested in becoming official trail sites.
What funding has been secured so far?
A $2 million grant from the Department of Transportation has been awarded to support the proposed walking trail.
What is the expected total cost of the project?
The expected total cost for the Dallas Cultural Trail is around $40 million.
How long will the trail be and what will it feature?
The trail is anticipated to be a five-mile pathway designed for pedestrians and cyclists featuring art installations and historical markers.
When will construction begin?
Construction is anticipated to start within the next five years.
Will there be a digital component?
Initial phases include a digital experience of the trail as a test before physical construction begins.
What is the history of the initiative?
The initiative has roots dating back to 2018, with collaboration from local nonprofits like Fair Park First, Friends of Santa Fe Trail, and Dallas Arts District.
Who is leading the project?
The project is being led by a coalition of community organizations dedicated to improving urban infrastructure.
When and where are the public sessions?
October 21, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Skyline Terrace, 4th floor, Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201
October 23, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Deep Ellum Community Center, 2528 Elm Street, Suite A, Dallas, TX 75226
October 30, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the South Dallas Cultural Center, 3400 South Fitzhugh Ave, Dallas, TX 75210
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant | A $2 million grant from the Department of Transportation has been awarded to support the proposed walking trail. |
| Estimated Cost | The expected total cost for the Dallas Cultural Trail is around $40 million. |
| Length & Design | The trail is anticipated to be a five-mile pathway designed for pedestrians and cyclists featuring art installations and historical markers. |
| Timeline | Initial phases include a digital experience of the trail as a test before physical construction begins. Construction is anticipated to start within the next five years. |
| Public Sessions | Three sessions to share plans and gather community feedback: October 21, 2023; October 23, 2023; October 30, 2023 (full locations and times listed above). |
| Origins | The initiative has roots dating back to 2018, with collaboration from local nonprofits like Fair Park First, Friends of Santa Fe Trail, and Dallas Arts District. |
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Additional Resources
- WFAA: Plans for the Dallas Cultural Trail Move Forward
- Dallas News: Event Details
- Dallas Express: Downtown Dallas Trail Secures $2M Federal Grant
- Dallas News: Could Downtown Dallas Get Its Own Katy Trail?
- Dallas News: Dallas Cultural Trail Gets a Welcome Boost
- Wikipedia: Dallas
- Google Search: Dallas Cultural Trail
- Google Scholar: Dallas Cultural Trail
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dallas
- Google News: Dallas Cultural Trail
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