Newest Texas Paddling Trail to open on Lake Arlington

by PegNews wire

Lake Arlington (so named even though it is not an actual lake, but in fact an impoundment/reservoir like all the other big landlocked bodies of water in the state - except for this one - sort of) will be the site of Texas Parks and Wildlife's first "lake"-based Texas Paddling Trail.

Don't look now, but this woman appears to be preparing to paddle her children. (The very idea!!)

The City of Arlington is playing up this recreational coup by hosting a gala grand opening for the watery byway. At 6 p.m. on Thurs., Aug. 14 at Richard W. Simpson Park, Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. Commissioner Ralph Duggins will take the podium along with Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, Arlington City Councilperson Kathryn Wilemon and Fort Worth City Councilchap Frank Moss (how'd he get invited?) to dedicate the trail.

Some and/or all of these folks can then be expected to actually board a kayak and paddle around for a spell, though whether any of them will make the full 10.9 mile shore-hugging circuit is debatable. (As is so much else in the world of politics.)

Featured along the shores of Lake Arlington and Village Creek is a diversity of plant and animal life. Birds of note include great blue heron, American white pelican, osprey, belted kingfisher, double-crested cormorant and ring-billed gull. (All of which taste like chicken, as it turns out.) Mammals that might be encountered - though probably not in the actual water - include fox squirrels and raccoons. These can also be found in my back yard at almost any hour of the day, if anyone's interested (and willing to pay me an exorbitant entry fee).

Speaking of fees: the Lake Arlington Paddling Trail will be open from dawn 'til dusk (in counterpoint to this venue), with a lake pass costing $5/day or $25/year ($12/year for seniors, but they have to use shorter paddles. JUST KIDDING!). NOTE that this fee covers only access to the lake itself and does not include kayak and paddle rentals, which can be arranged through one of these fine vendors.

Put-in and take-out points are Eugene McCray Park (on the west shore) and Bowman Springs Park (on the east shore), along with the aforementioned Richard Simpson Park (also located on the sunrise side of the impoundment). According to TPWD estimates, it should take somewhere between three and six hours to negotiate the circuit.

Hey, at least this trail won't be dusty - unless the current drought continues for longer than expected.

posted by JM; info from City of Arlington