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Hey everyone! Welcome back to another blog post, and today I am sharing a literal Denton gem with you! Did you know Denton has a 19 mile trail running through it that you can run, walk, bike, and SKATE on?! The Denton County Transportation Authority’s (DCTA) A-train Rail Trail is going to be the perfect summer stroll that you didn’t know you and your friends needed to end your summer with!
In today’s post, I will be sharing all about DCTA A-train Rail Trail facts, amenities, where to hop on and off the trail, and of course, safety tips to keep you and your family safe while using the trail! Let’s hop into it!
What is the A-train Rail Trail?
The A-train Rail Trail is a 19-mile long trail that starts at the Downtown Denton Transit Center (DDTC) station and ends at the Hebron station in Lewisville and runs along DCTA’s A-train commuter rail. The 19-mile rail trail is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to provide safe, customer-focused and efficient mobility solutions to Denton County. With safe walking connections to and from Denton, Lewisville and Highland Village, plus a few surrounding areas, it’s a great rail trail to practice long distance running, bike, or what the DFW Skate Group and I did, SKATE! The trail was smooth and great for beginners and pros alike, and it was a great way to end a Saturday just skating our way downtown!
DID YOU KNOW? The A-train Rail Trail is equipped with something called Z crossing fencing for the safety of cyclists, riders and all those who use the rail trail. These types of fences that were installed are to get cyclists to dismount, look both ways and walk their bikes across the rail tracks. This is a recommended safety feature by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Making the rail trail one of the safer biking trails in the DFW area!
Where can I get on and off the rail trail?
The A-train Rail Trail has five locations that you can hop on and off the trail at. Each location offers ample parking, so you can hop on and off with ease! Here are the locations from north to south:
- Downtown Denton Transit Center (604 E. Hickory St. Denton)
- MedPark station (3220 MedPark Dr., Denton)
- Highland Village/Lewisville Lake station (2998 N. Stemmons Freeway, Lewisville)
- Old Town station (617 E. Main St., Lewisville)
- Hebron station (952 Lakeside Circle, Lewisville)
The rail trail is popular among bikers, although I see a bright future for the DFW Skate Crew to do fun long distance skating sessions on the trail! For more information on the do’s and don’ts plus additional biker safety information, check out DCTA’s Bikes and Transit page.
What does the A-train Rail Trail offer?
The A-trail Rail Trail amenities are truly spectacular when you think about the length of the rail trail! The rail trail features multiple rest areas with benches and trash cans to keep the trail looking clean and tidy! We all know the saying to leave no trace when we are outdoors, and the rail trail makes it easier than ever to do so! For my gardners and plant enthusiasts out there, DCTA received community enhancements for landscaping and benches in the Denton portion of the A-train Rail Trail.
Want to have the rail trail in your pocket? Click here to download DCTA’s A-train Rail Trail pocket guide for easy access to trail information and amenities!
A-train Rail Trail Safety Tips:
We all know that when we go outside on trails, there are always ways to make the experience safe, while still having fun! Here are some great trail safety tips that you can follow to make your trail experience a great one this summer!
- Use the trail with a “buddy” when at all possible.
- Avoid venturing off the beaten path. Staying on the trail will keep you safe!
- Stay hydrated and bring drinking water. Always bring water with you, especially in the summertime!
- Know where you are going ahead of time. Use the A-Train Rail Trail Pocket Guide for information and rest stops!
- Bring sunscreen if you are going out in the heat of the day.
Staying safe this summer on the trail is easy and fun! Following these guidelines will not only make your experience enjoyable, but will help keep you and others safe on the trail! For more A-train Rail Trail safety tips, check out DCTA’s Hop on Board blog to learn more.
Will we see you on the rail trail?
This summer I have had a blast cruising and getting to know my fellow skaters in the area. Let me just say we worked up a sweat and had fun doing it while on DCTA’s A-train Rail Trail! Don’t believe me? Catch us on the trail in this fun video where we skated from MedPark station to Downtown Denton, catching some great iconic Denton views along the way!
