NatNews

Regardless of how much many of them wish it weren’t the case, runners must share roads, paths, and trails with drivers, cyclists, other runners, walkers, skaters, and individuals taking part in a variety of additional activities.

For some runners, adhering to proper running etiquette is a matter of common courtesy and respect. For White Rock Running Co-op admin Julie Lanaux, however, it has much more to do with safety for oneself and others. This is especially important in regard to where an individual should run on a road on which vehicles travel.

“Runners should absolutely follow rules relating to what side of the road to run on,” Lanaux said. “For trails not open to vehicles, runners follow the standard road rules and stick to the right side to ensure a smooth flow of traffic. But when on a road with cars, run opposite vehicular traffic. It lets you see when cars are coming toward you and gives you a chance to move, if need be, particularly for a driver not paying attention.”

At White Rock Lake, however, there is often confusion among runners who opt to run on the road rather than on the pedestrian trail.

“At the lake, it is probably more of an issue with the runners versus cyclists,” White Rock Running Co-op admin Kevin Roberts said. “I have reached out to the City of Dallas asking for directional arrows at White Rock, as many of the runners don’t know what side of the road to run. So far, I have not heard back.”

That lack of explicit direction is a point of frustration for many local runners.

“I wish the lake had more signage on the east side of the lake regarding pedestrian traffic,” Lanaux said. “[On Sunday], I finished a loop, and there were more runners running on the same side as the cars in their direction than runners running correctly. It puts them at risk of an accident but also me, as well, as I have to navigate around both oncoming cars and runners.”

And, as Roberts believes, looking out for the safety of other runners is a critical component of respectful running etiquette.

“We share the road, paths, and trails,” Roberts said. “It’s not our personal Olympic training ground. Be mindful of others. It makes the whole running experience more enjoyable.”

A jiffy is an actual unit of time. It’s 1/100th of a second.

Opening almost 10 years ago in October 2012, Klyde Warren Park has become a sought-after source of entertainment in the Dallas metroplex, attracting more than one million visitors each year and earning national acclaim.

With popular events—including an annual tree lighting, movie nights, live musical and theatrical performances, trick-or-treating, and a number of additional celebrations throughout the year—the park offers residents and visitors plenty of opportunities for unique experiences.

Last week, the park opened its new Nancy Best Fountain, an interactive water feature that includes a 5,000-square-foot splash pad. Located between Olive and Pearl Streets, the fountain is free and open to the public each day from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. But it’s more than a mere play area for children—each night after sunset, the fountain puts on a show for 30–45 minutes with dancing water and a choreographed lights and music display that changes every month.

“Don’t expect anything like the Bellagio in Las Vegas,” Dallas resident Jack Finn said. “But I didn’t see a single kid who wasn’t having a great time—not sure about the parents.”

Individuals who visit Klyde Warren are also able to choose from a variety of food and beverage options. In addition to numerous food trucks—including those offering pizza, Greek cuisine, ice cream, corn dogs, and BBQ—park goers can also enjoy upscale Tex-Mex from Mi Cocina, a beloved staple of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

The park will celebrate its 10th birthday on Saturday, October 22, from 2–5 p.m. Attendees can enjoy music from Emerald City Band, play games on the lawn, and take part in plenty of activities and features that make Klyde Warren an entertaining place for families and individuals alike.

Additional information regarding upcoming events and everyday activities can be found on the park’s website.

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

The Nancy Best Fountain at Klyde Warren Park puts on a show every night at sunset