Dallas Park & Recreation creates visiting guidelines for Katy Trail

To manage the increasing number of Katy Trail users and encourage physical distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak, Dallas Park and Recreation will implement a trail management strategy that gives visitors access to the trail on specific days according to their last names.

The general public will have regular access to the Katy Trail on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

Starting Thursday, April 23, access to the Katy Trail on Thursday to Sunday depends on your last name.
Visitors with last names starting with A through L are asked to use the Katy Trail only on Thursday and Saturday. Visitors with last names starting with M through Z are encouraged to use the trail on Friday and Sunday.

The Dallas Park and Recreation Department worked with the Friends of Katy Trail to create this approach to lessen congestion and encourage physical distancing. Mayor Eric Johnson’s office and Park and Recreation also consulted with Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Dr. Philip Huang regarding the guidelines.

If users comply with the guidelines, the City expects a significant reduction of congestion on the trail, which will lessen the risks of the spread of COVID-19.

“We know that getting outdoors is another way for families to cope with stay-at-home regulations. Overcrowding and congestion on the Katy Trail make it nearly impossible for users to practice adequate physical distancing. Our communities’ safety remains our key concern. We are working together to reduce the spread on this pandemic,” said Dallas Park and Recreation Director John D. Jenkins. “We want our outdoor spaces to be accessible and we want visitors to do their part to protect themselves and others.”

If families want to get out during the day, Jenkins and Mayor Johnson also suggested they go to parks within walking distances of their homes. Neighborhood parks may be considerably less crowded than larger, well-known ones. With more than 397 parks and 160 miles of urban trails, some sites are well-known, while others are not.

Dallas Park and Recreation staff have selected some of their favorite parks and trails for people to explore. Check out Dallas’ Best Kept Secret Parks on the department’s website at DallasParks.org.

And for more information on COVID-19, visit dallascityhall.com/covid19.