Tucker's Picks

One lucky dog's list of the best parks and backyards in Dallas

My owner, Dave Perry-Miller, and me.

Photo courtesy of Dave Perry-Miller & Associates

When it comes to Dallas’ parks, greenbelts and backyards, it’s a dog’s life — I should know! Our pup-friendly city has more than 100 miles of trails for hiking, biking, skating and, most important, dog walking.

For those looking for more laid-back activities, Dallas also boasts loads of parks made for playing, lounging, ball throwing and snacking. And if your family is looking for a new home sweet home, the backyard is an important part of the real estate equation.

As a pooch that relishes his time outdoors (not to mention car rides with the windows down!), I’ve been to most of the grassy areas around town and have sniffed out the very best. Whether you’re up for meeting cool new canines or prefer to splash around in a fountain, here’s my list of some of the very best green spaces in the city.

Best Trail

The Katy Trail is a 3.5-mile course through Uptown. The trail is so popular, you’ll find joggers, cyclists, skaters, bladers and walkers from morning to night. It’s one of my favorite places to catch up with my other four-legged friends and get “tuckered-out.” The paved trail is flanked by trees, brush and flora.
Best reason to visit: exercise with friends

Best Parks

Klyde Warren Park, which opened in Dallas in 2013, is a 5.2-acre deck park built over the Woodall Rogers Freeway in downtown Dallas. Here, you’ll find playgrounds, walking trails, food trucks and restaurants, and putting green, as well as areas for concerts, films showings and performance broadcasts.
Best reason to visit: A dog park, complete with fountains, is the perfect place to cool off during those hot summer afternoons.

Lakeside Park, located in Highland Park, is the place to go for 14 acres of lushly landscaped paths bordering Turtle Creek. There are also playground areas and a collection of concrete Teddy Bear statues.
Best reason to visit: plenty of open space for bunny runs, playing fetch and friendly strolls

Lake Cliff Park is 44.5 acres of green space located in heart Oak Cliff, near the Bishop Arts District. A tranquil retreat, this park features fountains, gardens and a lake area. It’s a great place to walk, run and relax.
Best reason to visit: a paw-fect natural setting for quiet time and pup naps

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is not only one of the very best outdoor areas in the city, but it’s also one of the best in the nation. With 66 acres of expertly manicured grounds, patrons enjoy gardens, water structures, leisure areas and dining. Last fall, the Arboretum opened its latest phase, the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden, an 8-acre indoor and outdoor nature experience for children.
Best reason to visit: Beauty — human companions will love the incredible variety of plants and flowers.

See a complete list of Dallas’ dog parks .

Best Backyards You can Own

There are three backyards you have to see to believe. The first one is located at 4346 Park Ln. The Preston Hollow home is beautifully set back on 1.1 acres, and the backyard has major play potential.
Best reason to visit: This home has a resort-style pool (great for practicing the doggy paddle) and an outdoor entertainment area.

In Old Preston Hollow, the backyard at 5433 Falls Rd. is worth a million barks. An oasis for humans and hounds alike, there’s a huge covered outdoor area (great for naptime or alone time), as well as a pool and spa.
Best reason to visit:The expansive lawn and towering trees provide serene shade for bird watching.

In University Park, 7800 Amherst Ave. is another home with a beautiful backyard I could roll around in for days. It’s on a corner lot, which means there’s heaps of greenspace.
Best reason to visit: The covered patio is the perfect hangout in the dog days of summer.

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Dave Perry Miller & Associates is a premiere residential real estate firm with five locations that specialize in marketing the key areas of the Park Cities, Preston Hollow, Uptown, Lakewood, East Dallas and Kessler Park. Dave Perry-Miller & Associates is a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and Luxury Portfolio International. For more information on luxury living, please contact Dave Perry Miller & Associates at 214-369-6000. Also visit daveperrymiller.com/blog for the latest news in Dallas real estate.

My owner, Dave Perry-Miller, and me.

Photo courtesy of Dave Perry-Miller & Associates

My owner, Dave Perry-Miller, and me.

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RIP Pete

Dallas businessman and former Schepps Dairy owner Pete Schenkel dies

Courtesy photo

Pete Schenkel

Dallas businessman Pete Schenkel, a philanthropist and former owner of Dallas-based Schepps Dairy, passed away at his Highland Park home on November 27 while in hospice care.

Born and raised in South Dallas where he worked on his father's dairy farm, Schenkel worked his way up from a Schepps Dairy deliverer to become an owner of the company in 1987. He went on to serve as President and owner of Southern Foods, which later sold to Suiza Foods and became Dean Foods, for which he also served as president and board member.

A statement from the city of Dallas says that Schenkel "leaves a legacy where he will be remembered for sharing his success with others and for his steadfast commitment to serve with pride and humility. Pete was unwavering in his dedication to making Dallas one of the safest large cities in the United States and was instrumental in promoting our economic growth and social vibrancy. We will strive to carry on his legacy by continuing to make Dallas a better place for all."

Founded by Harmon "Hymie" Schepps in 1942, Schepps Dairy traded hands and emerged from a bankruptcy under the primary ownership of Schenkel, who was Schepps' business partner. In 2000, the company was acquired by Suiza Foods Co., which then merged with Dallas-based Dean Foods the following year.

Schenkel was also involved in Dallas politics from the '80s to the '00s, both with sought-after endorsements as well as working on campaigns for mayoral candidates such as Jack Evans and Ron Natinsky.

In 2017, he was honored with an award from the NFF Gridiron Club for his role in helping bring football back to the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day. He fought to keep the annual Texas-Oklahoma rivalry game at Cotton Bowl Stadium and has been the key negotiator in keeping the game there ever since.

Schenkel served on many influential boards that helped shape Dallas and North Texas, including chairing the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Board of Directors and the Methodist Health Care Foundation. After retiringm he remained active in nonprofit circles, helping direct a charitable fund with his wife, the Pat and Pete Schenkel Charitable Trust. He also served on the board of the Dallas Blue Foundation, which provides financial assistance to families of Dallas police officers killed or wounded in action.

His multiple awards and commendations including receiving the 82nd annual Linz Award for civic service in Dallas in 2011, as well as a Russell H. Perry Award from Dallas Baptist University, which lauded Schenkel for adhering to the highest ethical standards and being loyal to and respectful of friends and customers, as well as his modesty, shying away from the spotlight and shining it on others instead.

He's survived by his wife Pat, three children and seven grandchildren.

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