Goat Hill connector between Katy Trail and Trinity Strand Trail

[tamtagon]

Beer gardens are an easy concept to launch

I surprised the concept hasn't become popular, especially considering how well received restaurant patios are. The weather is fantastic for a beer garden, and the social aspect is perfect for Dallas. Harwood's tiki bar might be on hold until a Katy Trail adjacent building is underway, just to make sure the tone of the tiki bar matches the Swiss Chalet or Blue Ciel or Harwood Village or whatever might be planned.

[lakewoodhobo]

^There are a handful of Katy-facing bars or restaurants in the works, one at Alexan Skyline (Goat Hill) and one or several near the cluster of buildings going up near Carlisle and Bowen. Should be interesting to see how these change the trail experience overall.

I wonder if the Trinity Strand will have more restaurants and bars facing it because it is less residential? There is a lot more and cheaper land in the Design District too. Sorry if this is way off topic.

[lakewoodhobo]

Now that the Strand Trail is finally under construction, the need for a Katy Trail connection is starting to feel a bit more urgent.

We know the Goat Hill connector is many years away, but does anyone know what the status is on the Hi Line connector?

[cowboyeagle05]

The trinity strand folks seem to be posting pictures pretty regularly of the early construction progress. Just thought I would repost a few here with links for those not following as closely as the rest of us through their facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trini...l/168240892446

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For more updates follow them on their facebook or twitter which usually points to their facebook posts:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trini...l/168240892446

[muncien]

^^^
I like the idea of the Goat Hill connector, but I can't help but feel its another one of these pie in the sky proposals that will never get funded. I mean... is it really practical to spend that much $ on such a small distance? I just hate how we hand-cuff ourselves with these extravagant proposals that never get built instead of going with something more simple/affordable that costs a quarter of this.
Wouldn't it be more realistic to either incorporate the trail into the new goat hill development with an at grade crossing at Houston, or perhaps clean/rework the tunnel from Riverchon park?

[citizen]

Tell me more about the Reverchon Park tunnel - thanks

[muncien]

Tell me more about the Reverchon Park tunnel - thanks

Well, the existing tunnel (for Turtle Creek) was never intended for this purpose, and is in no condition to do this as of now. But, anybody who's walked the canals/trails in valley ranch knows that the flood control passageways under the streets also serve as pedestrian corridors during normal water levels. Clearing the series of tunnels that exist in this location, elevating one of them and installing lighting, could provide a pedestrian corridor to the west side of Harry Hines (where the eventual Goat Hill connector was to come down anyway). At that point, the trail would continue along the creek (under 35E overpass) as originally intended.
But structurally... the tunnels already exist. It would require primarily cleaning and some electrical conduits added for lighting. The trail that drops down from Riverchon is only about 60 yards from the tunnel entrance now. Surely this would be cheaper than the fancy twirling bridge... that oh, by the way... isn't the most convenient when cycling. Just my two cents. I've proposed similar underpasses with the parks & rec folks here in Irving.

EDIT: I'll try to grab some pics this weekend. Hopefully, the hobos won't get too riled up.