2024 City Bond Projects Campaign
Overview
Friends of the Katy Trail (“FKT”) is pleased to embark on two important capital projects to improve the Katy Trail for the benefit of our community. Usage of the Katy Trail has exploded in recent years. The Trail reached an astounding 4 million visits in 2024, a dramatic jump from 2 million visits in 2022. Demand for the Trail will only grow when The Loop Dallas project connects a 50 mile-path of trails around Dallas.
A busy December 30, 2024, on the Katy Trail
The total anticipated cost of the projects to enhance Trail safety, equitable access, and natural beauty is $3 million. Through the 2024 Bond, the City of Dallas has pledged to match $1 million to the $2 million to be raised privately by FKT.
The timeline for the Katy Trail Bond projects is fundraising in 2024 and 2025, design in 2025, and construction in 2026.
Bond Project #1: Knox to Harvard (North End) Trail Improvements
The Friends of the Katy Trail 2017 Master Plan envisioned an improved stretch of Trail between Knox and Harvard, which would feature native grasses, wildflowers, and additional trees. The Trail has gradually been improved in many areas to the south during the 2018-2020 Complete the Trail Campaign and in subsequent years. FKT increasingly receives inquiries about focusing efforts on this stretch of the Trail.
Currently, the Knox to Harvard area is mostly mowed grass/weeds and rocks. Many of the cedar trees are dying and need to be replaced with more sensible varieties. This area also has erosion issues, and silt builds up on the soft-surface patch, which is slippery and creates fall hazards for Trail users. The expansion of native plantings along the Trail in southern areas has been a tremendous success, and we will continue those efforts in this north area.
Estimated Cost: $2,400,000
Knox to Harvard stretch: dead cedar trees and silt issues
Envisioned North End native plantings and irrigation improvements
Bond Project #2: Fairmount Entrance
The areas along the Katy Trail between Maple Avenue and Fairmount Street have continued to increase in population density. The most often requested new entrance is an official Katy Trail entrance at Fairmount. Currently, there is a heavily used, rocky “goat” path up the side of a steep hill. The path is often muddy and slippery, and the area experiences runoff and changing conditions. There are also frequent, temporary homeless encampments along the areas where Trailgoers enter the non-official entrance.
The Friends of the Katy Trail Master Plan included a Fairmount staircase and entrance. FKT envisions a softly curving staircase from Fairmount up to the Katy Trail, as well as new pathways and plantings.
Estimated Cost: $600,000
Current condition of Fairmount goat path entrance
Beginning vision of Fairmount entrance
Fundraising Progress
In recognition of the importance of these Katy Trail improvements and the significance of the Trail to our city, Lyda Hill Philanthropies committed a first grant toward the Bond fundraising. And, as of January 2025, FKT has received $1.1 million in donations and pledges for the Bond projects, including from The Perot Family, Steven Rayl and Scot Presley, The Budd Family Foundation, and Uptown Dallas, Inc.
We invite you to support the Katy Trail Bond Projects Campaign as FKT works to raise a total of $2 million to meet the City of Dallas match of $1 million.
Donations may be made online, by check or ACH bank deposit, or with stock, and gifts at any level will be recognized on this campaign page.
For more information, including opportunities for on-the-Trail recognition as a campaign donor, please contact Ann Whitley Wood, ann@katytraildallas.org.
Katy Trail Bond Projects Campaign Donors to Date
Friends of the Katy Trail Bond Campaign Donors to Date by Friends of the Katy Trail
Katy Trail Bond Projects Campaign Pledge Form
2025 Naming Donor Opportunities