DO LaKE HIGHLanDS LIKE a TOurIST

Appreciating the unique, fun and beautiful things our neighborhood has to offer Our neighborhood — it’s the place where we live out most of our days. Where we — often robotically — run errands, taxi around our children, pick up the dry cleaning, sit in traffic and perform myriad mundane tasks. Sometimes, as it plays host to our busy lives, home can lose its magic. This new year, stop for a moment, take a step back, and have a look at Lake Highlands, and the city that surrounds it, through fresh eyes.

Improve Your Swing At Top Golf

Park Lane and Abrams

Golf was once quiet, stuffy, difficult and borderline boring, but that predated Top Golf. This sprawling playground caters to kids, adults and golfers of all skill levels. From a second-story platform, players take aim at the bulls-eye in a field below. Microchips in the balls keep track of participants’ performance. It’s very high tech. Once you are famished from all that swinging, check out the menu, which features an extensive selection of beverages, brunch, burgers, wraps, desserts and daily specials. topgolf.com

HIKE, BIKE OR PLAY AROUND LAKE HIGHLANDS

Provided it’s not during deep summer, or one of our rare ice, hail or tornado scenarios, our area is a fabulous one to walk, jog or bike.

There are several spots in Lake Highlands from which to access our city’s extensive pavedtrail system. You can hop on the Cottonwood Trail from Forest Lane near TI Boulevard. From there, head south toward the White Rock Creek Trail. This route winds through the historic Hamilton Park area, along the back nine of the Royal Oaks Country Club, through Fair Oaks Park and Tennis Center (a good access point if you plan to park a car) and eventually to White Rock Lake. Or, park and access the White Rock Creek Trail from the Forest Lane DART station or Harry S. Moss Park at 8000 Greenville.

Watercrest Park at Lake Highlands Town Center has been compared, by parks and rec authorities, to the picturesque Lakeside Drive in Highland Park. “This is really a first-class linear greenbelt,” says Willis Winters, who is an authority on the topic as the Dallas Park Department’s assistant director of planning, design and construction. Sprawling behind the outline of the future Town Center at Walnut Hill and Skillman, the paved walking trail at Watercrest flanks a little lake and is adorned with sculptures from local artists.

If you’re seeking outdoor exercise that doesn’t involve running or pedaling, think paddling. Once you make your way to White Rock Lake, check out White Rock Paddle Co. near the Mockingbird bridge at Buckner and Mockingbird. March through November, rent kayaks and stand up paddleboards. Rentals of single and tandem kayaks run from $15 an hour or $55-$65 a day. The company also offers monthly memberships featuring discount rentals and frequent paddler punch cards, as well as lessons. whiterockpaddle.com

Harry Moss Park at 7601 Greenville (try not to confuse it with Harry S. Moss Park, just down the road) offers a 5.46-mile single-track dirt trail. Hikers, trail runners and off-road cyclists choose from several different loops ranging in distance from a quarter mile to a mile and a half. Enter the trail just south of the soccer fields and encounter deep woodsy surroundings complete with pretty flowing creeks and shimmering ponds. Avoid after a storm because rains tend to bring an undue amount of trash and muddy conditions to this trail system. Check the Dallas Off Road Bicycle Association website, dorba.org, for current trail conditions.

Texas doesn’t have the terrain of Colorado or Utah, but that doesn’t mean mountain climbing is totally inaccessible. The Summit Climbing Gym, located at 9201 Forest near Greenville, brings rock climbing (use your imagination) to our flat-as-apancake ‘hood. For $20, acquire an all-day pass and all necessary equipment. Newcomers never fear — the staff will show you the ropes, pro bono. Want more intensive instruction? Classes are also available. If you really dig it, get a membership. Check the website summitrockgym.com for specials such as late night passes, ladies and students nights, and two-for-ones.

*TIP Plan your kayaking, cycling or hiking around a Dallas Arboretum concert. Dallas’ magnificent botanical gardens boast seasonal events and special exhibits year round. The spring/summer and fall/ winter concert series featuring the stylings of rock-and-roll, hip hop and country bands are wildly popular. But if you are not down for the whole pack-a-picnic, navigate-the-crowd and sit-on-the-lawn concert-going experience, paddle your boat up to the north shore, or post up on a park bench outside the arboretum fence. The acoustics are aces — you’ll swear Hard Day’s Night, those talented Beatles imitators, are playing on the pier. Find the concert schedule at dallasarboretum.org/ concerts.

*TIP Bring binoculars or a camera fitted with a powerful lens when you visit White Rock Lake, because there is plenty of opportunity for bird and wildlife watching. Ubiquitously referred to as our “urban oasis,” White Rock Lake is home to more than 210 types of fauna.

CRYSTAL SPONSORS

Herb’s Paint and Body Shop/ Walne Family

Cheri & Eric Luck

Mariano’s Hacienda

James & Sally Nation Foundation

Purnell Morrow Company

EMERALD SPONSORS

Advocate Publishing

Jana & Mike Boswell

Picasso’s Pizza & Grill

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Kathy & Jim Adams

Carol & Steve Baker

Molly & Dan Beebe

Belmont Group, Inc.

Brinker International

Valerie & Brad Briscoe

Senator John Carona

Christy/Norcross/Thomas

Real Estate Group

Paula & Luke Davis

Sarah & Billy DorseyDorsey Construction Roofing

Kelly & Paul Gittemeier

Marsha & Craig Holmes

Debbie & Jim Johnson

Matejek Family Foundation

Gayle & Bryan McCrory

Carolyn & Mark Murray

Laura & Trey Norris

The Honorable Mike Pappas

Meredith & Ray Rothrock

T. Hee Greetings & Gifts

Woodlands American Grill

GOLD SPONSORS

Patti & Jerry Allen

Anonymous

Amonymous

Jo & Mike Baggett

Kathy & Steve Bankhead

Barbara & Bob Baylis

Baylor Health Care System

Linda & Jerry Bryant

Dodie & Rick Buferd

Karan & Joe Callaway

Doctor’s Hospital

Debbie & Robert Douglas

Polly DuPont

Lorelei Garratt

Donna & Fred Halstead

Michelle & Tom Harris

Highland Classic Homes, LLC

Jeffrey V. Jones, DDS

Kennedy Legal Firm PLLC

Charlene & Bob Law

Amy & Ric Moseley

Rebecca & Stacy Obenhaus

Fran & Tom Phillips

PlainsCapital Bank

Liz & Stu Potter

Beverly & Dean Renkes

Republic Title Lakewood

Ann & James Roberts

Rooker Asphalt Co. Inc.

Karen & David Rooker

Royal Highlands Plaza/JAH Realty

Susan & Donald Russell

Sagiss, LLC

Scott Exteriors

Congressman Pete Sessions

Eileen and Bevo Smith

Kathy & Robb Stewart

The Store in Lake Highlands

Linda & Steve Yungblut

Cheryl & Allan Zreet

SILVER SPONSORS

Cathy & Tom Allen

Diane & Joel Allison

Lindy & Brian Austin

Tanna & Al Badger

Janice & Ed Barger

Mary & Chris Barnes

Mindy & Mike Bateman

Carolyn Boll

Mary Jo & Marvin Boswell

Courtney & Lindsay Boswell

Brick & Stone Graphics

Lisa & David Briggs

Ellen & Graham Bryant

Burger House

Cafe Max

Central Market

Donna & Robert A. Chereck

Chick-fil-a @ Abrams & LBJ

Melanie & Pat Cowlishaw

Tina & Tracy Cox

Robin & Kelly Crawford