New Nature Trail Opens in South Denton
A 3.6 mile temporary nature trail has opened in Southwest Park (map) on S Bonnie Brae Street, according to the Denton Friday Staff Report on July 29. The soft-surface grass trail loops around the perimeter of Southwest Park and features an east-west cut-through trail to allow for shorter loops.
Trail users may access the trailhead on the western end of Taylor Park Boulevard. There are no restrooms and no water or lighting along the trail.
Trail map from the July 29 Denton Friday Staff Report (p. 4).
Currently undeveloped, Southwest Park is 190 acres of land located on the west side of Bonnie Brae Street between Taylor Park Boulevard and Allred Road. The City of Denton purchased the property in 2006 for a future park. In 2020 and 2021, the Denton Parks and Recreation Department developed a master plan for Southwest Park with the help of a focus group.
The Southwest Park Master Plan was approved by the Denton City Council in January 2022. At some point in the future, Denton residents may see a bond election to approve funding to implement the $144 million in proposed features outlined in the master plan.
Because it could be a decade or more before Southwest Park is developed, focus group members asked whether the property could be made usable to the public in the meantime by creating simple temporary trails. Denton Parks and Recreation staff agreed and created the new temporary nature trail.
Images from the Nature Trail
If visiting, bring water. There is little shade. Watch for snakes and small bits of honey locust branches on the trail, which have sturdy thorns up to three inches long that can easily pierce through a shoe, foot or bicycle tire.
Parking at the end of Taylor Park Boulevard.
Trail is subject to the same rules as other Denton parks. Hours are 6 AM to 10 PM.
Watch for honey locust branches on the trail. Thorns are long and strong.
