Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Park Vista Road, and follow it around to Parking Lot A. The trailhead is located direc-
tly across the road from the restrooms. GPS: N32 59.812' / W96 37.591'
The Hike
It's hard to believe this pastoral escape is partially built on an old city landfill. Luckily the land was re-
claimed, and now Breckenridge Park serves as a much-needed respite from the daily grind and grid-
lock of the Telecom Corridor, a nickname derived from the high-tech firms that call Richardson and its
neighboring cities home.
The park contains more than twenty-five acres of wildflowers and was the former home of the city's
annual Wildflower! arts and music festival before the festival moved to the more urban Galatyn Park.
Breckenridge Park is still the best viewing spot for the city's annual July 4 fireworks display.
On other days the loudest noises you'll hear are cheers from the dozen or so soccer fields, which
draw area families for weekend games. To get to the trailhead, look for the primitive restroom facilities
located by Parking Lot A. Cross the one-way street to the beginning of the paved trail. From here the
trail heads down a gentle hill and away from the soccer fields.
When the trail splits, go right and cross a bridge over Rowlett Creek. The trail enters an open field
and winds along the creek. Apart from soccer moms and dads, the park's noisiest residents will likely
be found along this part of the trail—the ducks and swans that waddle along the creek's banks.
After passing under Renner Road, the trail dead-ends. Turn around here, making your way back by
the creek and recrossing it.
Veer right at the trail split and then right again onto the trail that heads into the woods along the
rushing waters of Rowlett Creek. Listen for woodpeckers, which frequent the cool, dense forest here.
The trail enters open space again, passing the park's ten-acre lake on the left. The lake is stocked
with bass, catfish, perch, and crappie, but anglers have to adhere to the park's catch-and-release policy.
The trail winds around the lake, passing picnic pavilions and a playground before heading up a
small hill back to the soccer fields and Parking Lot A.
