Elm Grove Pavilion at River Legacy Parks

River Legacy Park is a 1,300 acre oasis on the Trinity River in the heart of north Arlington. The park offers more than eight miles of paved trails winding through thick forest and expansive greenbelts. It's an ideal place for hiking, biking, rollerblading and jogging, or just to spread out a blanket and relax.

Outdoor enthusiasts from birders to botanists flock to the park for a glimpse of its diverse flora and abundant wildlife. It's home to a beautiful, rare fungus called the Devil's Cigar (it's only found in Texas and Japan and makes a hissing sound when it releases spores). Step off the trail and through the trees a bit after a thorough rain to watch the Trinity rushing and full of life. And don't be surprised if you see an armadillo scurrying across the trail in front of you - signs along the trails warn human guests to respect the personal space of the native animals thay may encounter.

In addition to the trails, the park offers all the basics and more:
• Legacy Pavilion
• A meditation area
• River overlooks
• Multipurpose areas
• Water fountains and restrooms
• A playground
• Four miles of paved trails on the north side of the Trinity River (Highway 157 east to Highway 360) that traverse prairie land and forested areas. It's part of the Trinity River Trails program to connect Dallas to Fort Worth.
• A 3.5-mile natural trail for mountain bikes built and maintained by the Dallas Off Road Bicycle Association
• The next-door River Legacy Living Science Center

Action also takes place in the wide-open space that serves as the park's main gathering, meeting and parking area. Billowing, wild forest acts as a towering wall around most of the space, almost rivaling the wooded trails in majestic scenery. The large swath of green space acts a massive, natural courtyard for pick-up soccer or touch football, picnicking, soaking up the sun, birthday parties, family reunions and holiday cookouts. Restrooms and entry points to paved and natural trails are also found here.
- CHRISTY ROBINSON / Staff Writer

Also ...
The park's address is considered the "west" entry. The two others park entrances are:
• Collins Street entry, 3020 N. Collins St.
• River Legacy Park East, 1651 N.E. Green Oaks Boulevard, east of Collins