University Crossing Trail

The University Crossing Trail is a short, paved trail that helps to form a connection between the Katy Trail (Dallas) and the White Rock Creek Trail (North).

The trail's southern endpoint is at the dead end of Ellsworth Avenue on the northside of Glencoe Park (3700 Glencoe St, Dallas). The park has several sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, a playground, a picnic pavilion with grills, picnic tables, benches, portalets, a drinking fountain, a pet waste station, and parking.

To access the Katy Trail from the southern endpoint, exit the park at the corner of North Central Expressway and Martel Avenue. Follow North Central Expressway south to McCommas Boulevard, where you can safely cross west over the expressway. Continue on McCommas Boulevard for 1 block and turn north on McKinney Avenue. After about 400 feet, the street ends at the Katy Trail. The short section on McKinney Avenue is the only part of this connection that doesn't have wide, concrete sidewalks (the surface of the bridge's pedestrian section is made of level, octangular bricks).

Heading northeast from the park, the trail includes a pedestrian bridge over Mockingbird Lane and passes the SMU/Mockingbird Station and SMU’s East Campus. Just north of Twin Sixties Drive, the trail forks with the shorter branch heading north to end at the SMU Boulevard Trailhead and the slightly longer branch curving east to end at Skillman Street Pedestrian Bridge, where it seamlessly links with the Ridgewood Trail.

Together, the Ridgewood Trail and the University Trail form a 3-mile route through the communities of Northeast Dallas, linking neighborhoods and offering a variety of recreational opportunities. Linking seamlessly, the trails also serve as a vital transportation link for the surrounding communities, providing a safe and efficient route for cyclists and pedestrians to access local businesses, restaurants, schools, community facilities, and other recreational amenities.

Parking and Trail Access

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) provides easy access to the trail via multiple bus stops along the route. Access the trail via the light rail from the SMU/Mockingbird Station (5465 E Mockingbird Ln) near the northern end of the trail.

Parking is available at Glencoe Park (3700 Glencoe St, Dallas) and at 5465 E Mockingbird Lane Parking. It is free and normally has a lot of empty spots.

Visit the TrailLink map for detailed directions.