Here is a resource guide created by families in our neighborhood for families in our neighborhood. This is an evolving list, so if you have any suggestions, feel free to email CommunityLiaisonROC2@gmail.com.
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Here is a printable version of what is listed below.
Hiking trails
Bear Creek Nature Park: 1000 Bear Creek Rd, Lancaster, TX 75146, lancaster-tx.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/Bear-Creek-Nature-Park-14
Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve: 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249, cedarhilltx.com/1700/Cedar-Ridge-Nature-Preserve
Coombs Creek Trail: runs along Kessler Parkway in North Oak Cliff, www.traillink.com/trail/coombs-creek-trail-
Fish Trap Lake Park: Behind LG Pinkston High School, https://www.traillink.com/trail/fish-trap-lake-park-loop-trail/
Goat Island Preserve: 2800 Post Oak Rd, Hutchins, TX 75141, https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/texas/goat-island-preserve
Great Trinity Forest Gateway and Horse Trail: 2161 Dowdy Ferry Road, Dallas, TX 75201, dallasparks.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Great-Trinity-Forest-Gateway-and-Horse-T-511
John C. Phelps Park Trail: Start at Wonderview Park, 2400 Very, Cleaves St, Dallas, TX 75216, https://www.traillink.com/trail/john-c-phelps-trail
Kiest Conservation Area: 2179 W Kiest Blvd, Dallas, TX 75224, friendsofoakcliffparks.org/kiest-park-conservation-a
Kiestwood Trail: Near the corner of Southwood Drive and S. Franklin Street., https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/plandev/trails/maps/kiestwood.php
McCommas Bluff Preserve: There are two entrances to the trail, but the bluff is located at Riverwood Overlook, https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/plandev/openspaces/locations/09-mccommas-bluff.php
Oak Cliff Nature Preserve: dorba.org/trail.php?t=20, 2875 Pierce St, Dallas, TX 75233
Piedmont Ridge Trail: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/texas/piedmont-ridge-trail, 2400 N Jim Miller Rd, Dallas, TX 75227
River Legacy Park: 703 NW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX 76006, https://www.traillink.com/trail-maps/river-legacy-trail
Santa Fe Trestle Trail: 1837 E. 8th St., Dallas, TX 75203, trinityrivercorridor.com/recreation/santa-fe-trestle-trial
Skyline Trail: Southern Segment: Corner of N Cliff St. and Comal St. in The Bottom neighborhood, https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/plandev/trails/maps/skyline.php
Stevens Golf Course: 1005 N Montclair Ave, Dallas, TX 75208, stevensparkgolf.com
Texas Buckeye Trail: Just across the street from Bonton Farms, 6915 Bexar St., Dallas, TX, 75215, https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/texas/texas-buckeye-trail
Trammell Crow Park: Normally accessible via 3700 Sylvan Avenue Dallas, TX 75207, https://trinityrivercorridor.com/recreation/trammell-crow-park
Trinity River Audubon Center: Free admission from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month for individuals and families, otherwise $3-$6. trinityriver.audubon.org, 214-309-5801, 6500 S Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas, TX 75217
Trinity Strand Trail: The trailhead at the end of Hi Line Drive, http://trinitystrand.org
Twelve Hills Nature Trail: 817 Mary Cliff Road, Dallas, TX 75208, twelvehills.org, twelvehillsnaturecenter@gmail.com, 469-249-2817,
White Rock Lake: Large lake with multiple playgrounds and about a 10-mile loop around the lake. dallasparks.org/235/White-Rock-Lake
Windmill Nature Preserve: In Duncanville near Costco, 1410 N Duncanville Rd, Cedar Hill, TX 75104, dorba.org/trail.php?t=30
Parks
Abbott Park: fun animals to climb on, in North Dallas, 4814 Abbott Ave, Dallas, TX 75205
Annie Stevens: Toddler playground, corner of Plymouth Rd and Oak Cliff Blvd, near Annie Stevens Golf Course
Elmwood Parkway Park: Playground, creek, trails to Kiest Park and Wynnewood North, 2200 Rugged Dr, Dallas, TX 75224
Griggs Park: Great paths and a small playground in North Dallas, 2200 Hugo St, Dallas, TX 75204
Kidd Springs: 2 playgrounds, toddler location at 711 W Canty St, Dallas, TX 75208, bigger kids at 1009 Cedar Hill Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
Kiest: Two playgrounds, 3012 S Hampton Rd, Dallas, TX 75201 and Kiest Park Assembly Center
Klyde Warren: Play area for kids, water feature in warmer months; pretty easy to find street parking, or parking garage in Dallas Musuem of Art ($15) or Crowe Museum ($5 on the weekends), 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201
Lake Cliff: One play area, but two playgrounds; one for toddlers, one for bigger kids, 300 E Colorado Blvd, Dallas, TX 75201
Main Street Garden Park: Renovated in late 2019, has water feature during warmer months, 1902 Main St, Dallas, TX 75201
Reverchon Park: good playground and trails behind the park, 3505 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
Texas Scottish Rite Playground: accessible for all children including special needs, clean bathrooms and popular location for birthday parties, 3700-3798 Scottish Rite Way, Dallas, TX 75219
Twelve Hills Nature Center: walking trail and occasional toddler walks, 817 Mary Cliff Rd, Dallas, TX 75208
Early childhood schools
Casa de Paz Montessori: Half-day options available, 8:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m., ages 18 months-6, 335 Centre St, Dallas, TX 75208, casadepazmontessori.com, 972-533-5729
Casita del Sol: In-home Montessori, half-day, part-time and full-time options, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., ages 0-3, 1122 Newport Ave, Dallas, TX 75224, casitadesoldallas.com, 214-861-5694
Children’s Genesis: Faith based, ages 0-6, located in Bishop Dunne Catholic School in South Oak Cliff, 3900 Rugged Dr, Dallas, TX 75224, childrensgenesis.org, 469-291-1831
Cliff Temple Child Development Center: Faith based, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., ages 6 weeks-4, located in Cliff Temple Baptist Church, 125 Sunset Ave, Dallas, TX 75208, clifftemple.org/cdc, 214-942-6319 ext. 401
Dallas ISD: Variety of schools offer Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 programs (Arlington, Harllee, Hogg, Reagan, Rosemont), free and tuition-based programs, dallasisd.org/Page/58340, 972-925-6770
The Kessler School: Faith based, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., before and after care, pre-k program starts at age 3, located next to Kessler Park United Methodist Church, 1215 Turner Ave, Dallas, TX 75208, thekesslerschool.com, 214-942-2220
La Esquelita Spanish Immersion Preschool in South Oak Cliff: In-home preschool, full-time and part-time options, 3-5 years, 3619 Blue Ridge Boulevard Dallas, TX, 75233, United States, laescuelitaspanish.org
Mount St. Michael Catholic School: The only accredited Catholic Montessori (3K-5K) and the only accredited Catholic Classical (1st-8th) school in the area, 4500 W. Davis Street, Dallas, TX, 75211, msmcatholic.org, 214-337-0244
Momentous School: Nationally accredited tuition-free private school that focuses on social emotional health and strong academics, grades Pre-K 3-5th, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. with after-school care, 106 E. Tenth St., Dallas, TX 75203, momentousinstitute.org, 214-915-1890.
Seed school: Nature and farm school, part-time options available, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., ages 3-8, Central Christian Church, 4711 Westside Dr., Dallas, TX 75209, seedpreschool.org, 214-546-6214
Spanish World House: Dual language, project-based learning, multiple locations. SWS-Haskell location: 3 months – 5 years, 550 N Haskell Ave., Dallas, TX 75246, 214-826-6350; SWS-Skillman location: 3 months-5 years, 4411 Skillman St., Dallas, TX 75206, 214-826-4410; SWS-Grand location: Pre-K 4–5th grade, 7159 E. Grand Ave, Dallas, TX 75223, 214-826-2323. dallasspanishhouse.com
Springhill Montessori: Half-day options, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., before care (no aftercare), ages newborn-6, 813 N Zang Blvd, Dallas, TX 75208, springhillmontessori.com, 214-946-1799
St. Cecelia: Faith based, Spanish language exposure, weekly theme-based units, Pre-K 3-8th grade saintceciliacatholicschool.org/academics/early-childhood
Wild Earth Preschool at the Dallas Zoo: part-time and full-time options available, year round, 6:40 a.m.-6:20 p.m., ages 3-5 years, 650 S RL Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75203, dallaszoo.com/programs-and-events/youth-programs/wild-earth-preschool, 469-554-7500
Yorktown Spanish School: Dual-language, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., ages 2-5, 309 Yorktown St, Dallas, TX 75208, yorktownspanishschool.com, 214-238-3410
Parent’s Day Out programs
St. Augustine’s: Faith based, outdoor component, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., ages 3 months-4+, located inside St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 1302 W. Kiest Blvd, Dallas, TX 75224, staugustinesoakcliff.org/parents-day-out, 214-371-3441
Kessler PDO: Open Monday-Thursday, families can enroll 1-4 days a week based on availability, 8 a.m.-3:20 p.m., ages 6 months-36+ months, located next to Kessler Park United Methodist Church, 1215 Turner Ave, Dallas,TX. 75208, kpumc.org/parents-day-out, 214-942-0098 ext. 1
Family friendly activities
Arts Mission Oak Cliff: Refinished church opens its doors to a multitude of creative productions, but also offers classes, camps and is a co-working space, too. artsmissionoc.com, contact@artsmissionoc.com, 410 S. Windomere Dallas, TX 75208
Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park: childrensaquariumfairpark.com, 469-554-7340, 1462 1st Ave, Dallas, TX 75210
Color Me Empowered: A non-profit art studio that offers classes, camps and workshops colormeempowered.org, 214-729-2499, 2101 W. Clarendon, Dallas, TX 75208
Dallas Museum of Art: Arturo’s Nest is a children’s play area. The museum also provides art classes and other periodic family friendly events. General admission is free. dma.org, 214-922-1200, 1717 N Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201
The Dallas Zoo: Stroller Buddies paid class for 18 months-2 year olds on Wednesday or Thursday from 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.; also has great children’s play area. dallaszoo.com, 469-554-7500, 650 S. R. L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, TX 75203
Frontiers is Flight Museum: Great indoor play area for toddlers, tickets $7-$10, flightmuseum.com, 6911 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75209
Hampton-Illinois Branch Library: Storytime for 0-18 months is Mondays from noon-1 p.m. and preschool storytime for 3-6 years old on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. dallaslibrary2.org/branch/hampton.php, 214-670-7646, 2951 South Hampton Road, 75224.
Home Depot: Free project build for children on the first Saturday of the month, homedepot.com/workshops/#store/6816, 214-942-6658, 2610 Fort Worth Ave, Dallas, TX 75211
Kidd Springs Recreation Center: Offers a variety of activities, including karate, dance, sports teams, swim team, swim lessons, fitness center, basketball court and pop-in playtime on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for $2. dallasparks.org, 214-670-7535, 711 W Canty St, Dallas, TX 75208
Kids Empire Wynnewood: An indoor play area with slides and climbing structures. No outside food is allowed, and socks are required for anyone entering. Open Open everyday including holidays! Check site for times. dallaswynnewood.kidsempire.com, 214-945-0125, 930 Wynnewood Drive, Dallas, TX 75224
North Oak Cliff Library: Storytime is Friday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. dallaslibrary2.org/branch/north.php, northoakcliff@dallaslibrary.org, 214-670-7555, 302 West Tenth Street, 75208
Nasher Sculpture Center: Every first Saturday of the month is free, Tuesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., nashersculpturecenter.org, 214-242-5100, 2001 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201
Nova: Offers classes and daytime open gym the first Wednesday of the month 10 a.m.-noon, for $5, for ages one through 13. nova-gymnastics.com, 972-291-6682, 112 W Belt Line Rd #1, Cedar Hill, TX 75104
Oak Cliff Dance: A studio that offers a variety of dance classes as well as gymnastics classes. studiooakcliff.com, 469-677-0125, 1339 Plowman Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75203
Oak Cliff Family Forum: A page on Facebook where anyone can post activities across DFW. facebook.com/groups/1677022169254873
Oak Cliff Bike Synergy: Offers bike riding classes as well as family bike rides. oakcliffbikesynergy.com, 469-456-1136, 1300 S Polk St #178, Dallas, TX 75224
Oil and Cotton: Offers a whole host of creative classes, camps and workshops for all ages, including adults. Their shop sells a colorful spectrum of art-related products and gifts. oilandcotton.com, 214-942-0474, 817 W. Davis St. #110, Dallas, TX 75208
Perot Museum of Nature and Science: Awesome children’s indoor play area, members get earlier access, tickets $13-20, perotmuseum.org, 214-428-5555, 2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201
Soccer Shots: Offers soccer classes at a variety of locations, including Kidd Springs Park, soccershots.org/dfw, dfw@soccershots.org
Texas Discovery Garden: Butterfly garden and outdoor play area at Fair Park, open 10 a.m.–5 p.m., tickets $5-$10 and free 2 and under, txdg.org, 214-428-7476, 3601 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Dallas, TX 75210
Tinkergarten: Outdoor activity-based play classes at Kidd Springs Park. tinkergarten.com/kids-classes/texas/dallas/oak-cliff
Twelve Hills Nature Trail: Hosts occasional Monday toddler walks at 10-11:30. twelvehills.org, twelvehillsnaturecenter@gmail.com, 469-249-2817, 817 Mary Cliff Road, Dallas, TX 75208
Wild Detectives: Bookstore that offers story time Sundays from 11-11:45 a.m. thewilddetectives.com, 214-942-0108, 314 W Eighth St., Dallas, TX, 75208