On Friday, January 13, 2025, the Dallas Cultural Trail received a significant boost with a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Grant Program. The grant will fund community engagement efforts, as well as design and engineering work to prepare the trail for construction. The RCP program aims to reconnect communities negatively impacted by past transportation decisions through community-supported planning and construction projects.
Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson expressed excitement about the project, stating, “Expanding Dallas’ parks and trails is one of my top priorities, and I am thrilled to see the Dallas Cultural Trail move forward. This trail will strengthen the bonds between our communities, expand access to arts and culture, and make Dallas an even more vibrant and connected city.”
The grant award is part of a broader initiative that distributed over $544 million to 81 projects across the country. The collaborative effort behind the Dallas Cultural Trail involved key organizations, including the City of Dallas, Deep Ellum Foundation, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Dallas Arts District, Fair Park First, and others. The City of Dallas also leveraged 2024 Bond Dollars to support the application for this federal grant.
City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert added, “The Dallas Cultural Trail represents our commitment to building bridges in our community. This trail will help ensure that all residents and visitors have opportunities to experience arts and culture throughout the city.”
This project aligns with ongoing efforts to improve multi-modal access and connectivity in Dallas, including the CBD Fair Park Links project, Dallas Bike Plan, and other transportation improvements led by the City of Dallas, NCTCOG, DART, and TxDOT.
“We are so thankful to the City of Dallas, TxDOT, and USDOT for their investment, leadership, and support of this community-led initiative,” said Stephanie Keller Hudiburg, Executive Director of the Deep Ellum Foundation.
The Dallas Cultural Trail will enhance the city’s already extensive network of 180 miles of urban hike and bike trails, further connecting communities and promoting alternative transportation. The project will highlight the city's diverse arts, culture, and history, benefiting both residents and visitors.
