Santa Fe Trail Corridor

The Santa Fe Trail is a 12-foot wide concrete path that currently connects the south end of White Rock Lake Park to the DART station in Deep Ellum. Although functional, the trail lacks amenities and enhancements. The Friends of Santa Fe Trail organization aims to develop a comprehensive corridor land use plan, a master plan, and design guidelines to preserve the environmental quality of the corridor, ensure consistent and efficient decision-making during phased development, and enhance the trail over time.

Key objectives of the project include recommending redevelopment opportunities and land use transformations within the trail corridor, proposing linkages and extensions to connect the trail to additional key destinations, and attracting financial resources for the project. The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) recognized the potential of this project, and with assistance from GFF Planning, a grant was secured to design amenities and gateway features for the trail.

In late 2012, GFF prepared a master plan for an approximately 1.5-mile segment of the Santa Fe Trail, serving as a prototype for future development along the entire trail. The plan includes potential enhancements such as improved connectivity, additional green spaces, public art installations, and better integration with surrounding neighborhoods and cultural landmarks. The goal is to transform the Santa Fe Trail into a vibrant, multi-use corridor that supports recreational activities, promotes environmental stewardship, and fosters community engagement​