The planting design for the Katy Trail required low-maintenance, mostly native plants to screen surrounding neighbors and businesses, while remaining open enough for bikers, joggers and walkers to feel safe.
In addition to oaks, bald cypress and other large trees for shade, a mix of smaller ornamental trees and shrubs add color through the seasons. Possumhaws provide color and berries for the birds in winter, followed by the fragrant blooms of Mexican plum in the spring and bright yellow golden raintree blossoms in summer. Tall wax myrtle hedges love the old railroad drainage ditch, and Eastern red cedars and Arizona cypresses create screening on the high-and-dry west side.
Squint your eyes and you could be on a bike trail in Holland or Germany–the Katy Trail is one of Dallas’ most popular parks, even though it’s only about 30 feet wide!
