DFW Discovery Trail


Cyclist riding near River Legacy Park

Photo Courtesy of City of Arlington


Regional Trail Branding and Wayfinding Initiative

The regional Trail Branding and Wayfinding Initiative was completed in January 2023. Through this initiative, the five cities of Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving, and Dallas collaborated with NCTCOG to develop the following:

  • A unified name, logos, and branding for the 60+ mile trail connecting downtown Fort Worth and downtown Dallas
  • Wayfinding and signage best practices and implementation guidance
  • Recommendations for:
    • Events: Local, regional, and national
    • Safety: 911 signage and trail lighting
    • Messaging: electronic message boards and counters
    • M&O: ongoing trail maintenance and operations, and marketing


Through a public and stakeholder engagement process, consensus was built for the trail corridor branding and logos:

Images of the new DFW discovery trail

Each jurisdictional logo reflects a wildlife species that may be found along DFW Discovery Trail. 

The DFW Discovery Trail Branding and Wayfinding  - Final Report and Recommendations outlines the project background, public engagement, trail branding, and wayfinding system design as well as trail infrastructure and programming recommendations.

The DFW Discovery Trail Wayfinding Best Practices highlights the trail's wayfinding and branding elements and principles, signage selection and programming, and signage placement guidance. This review is intended to guide implementation of signage and branding on the DFW Discovery Trail. 

Public Outreach

  • Virtual Open House:  Closed December 8, 2021

The virtual Open House introduced the Fort Worth to Dallas Regional Trail Branding and Wayfinding Project and gathered participants' input about how and where they use the trail, as well as design concept preferences. 


Public Feedback Forum: Closed June 20, 2022
The Public Feedback Forum allowed participants to vote on their favorite name and logo pairing for the Fort Worth to Dallas Regional trail and gathered participants' input about important destinations along the trail as well as how and where they use the trail.

Media Coverage:

 

DFW Discovery Trail Overview

Riders on Trail on Bikes


In 2013, NCTCOG convened the mayors of the five core cities of the Dallas-Fort Worth Region - Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving, and Dallas -  to discuss the idea of a continuous regional trail from Downtown Fort Worth to Downtown Dallas. The trail alignment would be approximately 66 miles once completed.

The trail was highlighted as a resource and asset to their communities from an economic development perspective and tourism aspect, as well as the benefits to health and reduction of congestion that alternative transportation routes can offer.

Regional Trail History & Resources

DFW Discovery Trail Connection Map (updated March 2023)
DFW Discovery Trail Location Map  (updated March 2023)
Trail Funded and Planned Sections  (Local Contact Information)

History:
In November 2013, a meeting coordinated by NCTCOG brought together the Mayors from the five core cities of the Dallas-Fort Worth region to discuss the idea of a Regional Trail from Downtown Fort Worth to Downtown Dallas.

On October 11, 2018, the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) funded an additional 3.1-mile trail section for construction that will complete a continuous 53-mile southern alignment connecting the five cities.

On April 11, 2019, the Mayors met again at NCTCOG to express continued support and collaboration to implement the trail through each of the cities. Engineering and construction of various sections of the trail continue to advance, with construction of most of the trail alignment expected to be completed in 2024. 

Presentation to Mayors on April 11, 2019
Presentation to RTC on October 11, 2018
Presentation at Mayors' Luncheon on November 8, 2013

Clay Jenkins Ground Breaking

Photo Courtesy of the City of Irving


Previous Media Coverage:


Staff Contact:  Shawn Conrad