Sunlight glints off the sidewalk as the hum of activity brings the neighborhood to life. On any given afternoon, Coppellians can now spot kids, runners and cyclists flocking to Magnolia Park.
The Magnolia Park Trail Connection Project is complete, establishing a new link to Coppell’s expanded trail network. The 900-foot trail section creates a connection for bikers and hikers, extending to the City of Coppell’s 23-mile-long trail system, as well as providing a better connection to parks and neighborhoods.
The project originated during the city’s 2017 Master Plan. While developing the ideas for the Master Plan, both residents and city staff determined there was a need for increased access and connectivity between housing areas to the existing trail systems.
The community experiences department coordinated the design of the project with Halff Associates, while the construction was led by Public Works. Total time from concept to completion spanned approximately eight years.
“This is a major win for our community and has generated a lot of excitement,” assistant director of community experiences Adam Richter said. “My own enthusiasm comes from seeing how many residents, especially those who participated during the Master Plan process, are excited about this improvement.”
One feature distinguishing Magnolia Park from others in Coppell is its location. Though the park is owned and managed by the city, it sits within the Magnolia Homeowners Association (HOA), requiring the city staff and the HOA to work closely throughout the design phase to make sure resident concerns were addressed.
Trail conditions near Denton Creek mean that closures may occasionally occur after major storms. Maintenance crews may need several days to remove debris and restore the path to safe conditions. The city advises residents to check community experiences social media accounts for updates whenever heavy rainfall happens.
Since Magnolia Park opened, residents have incorporated the new trail into their daily lives.
Resident Gaby Crockett regularly visits nearby parks between Town Center Elementary School and her children’s gymnastics classes. The addition of the Magnolia Park trail gives her another option during that short window of free time.
“It’s a newer playscape and the whole trail around the park is really nice,” Crockett said. “It seems very kid-friendly, and I think my kids would enjoy going to it too.”
Runners have also welcomed the change.
“It’s very efficient for running,” said runner Malachi Eubank, who teaches fifth grade at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School. “If you run the whole loop, it’s about six miles, so it’s nice to have this access.”
The pea gravel path adjacent to the sidewalk will help reduce the stress on runner’s joints and provides an alternative surface for runners.
“I’m always a fan of adding space for people to be out,” Eubank said. “I love the fact that pea gravel is alongside the sidewalk, so I don’t have to run concrete the entire town.”
With the new connection now open, Magnolia Park invites families, runners and neighborhood visitors to explore and make the trail a part of their daily lives.
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