Arbor Hills
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Trail Steward
Ryan Hamm
Assistant Trail Steward
Nate Goodell
Nearest City
Plano
Directions
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is located in the 6700 block of Parker Rd. in west Plano. To get there take Parker Rd. west past the Dallas North Tollway. The entrance is a few blocks west of Midway on the north side of Parker. The trailhead is on the west side of the park. Take the paved trail past the pavilion complex and playground. The trailhead is marked with a large white sign. detailing the IMBA rules or the trail. Be a pal and follow the rules, we all win that way.
Type
Single Track – Single Loop
Distance
2.2 miles
Description
This is a two mile clockwise loop for bikes counter clock wise for foot traffic that winds around 25 acres of the park. It's fairly twisty and has numerous off camber ups and downs. The lap ends with two sustained climbs back to the trailhead. The trail is suitable for all skill levels. It is not a technical trail but can be an aerobic challenge. A large white sign at the trailhead details the IMBA rules or the trail. Be a pal and follow the rules, we all win that way. Facilities include a beautiful pavilion complex with picnic table land BBQ grills as well as restrooms. There is also the first phase of concrete trails which totals approx. 1.25 miles. Several years ago an additional Phase two of concrete tails and an overlook on the north side of the park were added. Combined, the concrete trail now totals about two miles which makes for some great riding in addition to the DORBA trail. At present, work days are on an as needed basis. If you would like to be a "friend of the trail" or DORBA "super dude" please feel free to contact the trail steward by clicking on his username above.
Land Manager
Plano Parks and Recreation Department
For trail conditions call: 972-941-7788
Hours
5AM - 11PM
Facilities
• Drinking Water
• Flush Toilets
• Paved Parking Lot
• Gazebos and Picnic areas with grills
• 1.25 mile paved jogging/biking/rollerblade trail
• Playground
• Hospital @ Parker & the Dallas North Tollway
Wed, 09/01/2010 - 9:48pm
#2
Wacky Wednesdays are on Tuesday nights after dark
With light rentals? 
Wed, 09/01/2010 - 3:30pm
#3
Wacky Wednesdays are on Tuesday nights after dark
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 10:13am
#4
Its amazing what a little rain and a day under 100 degrees can do! Friday 8/27 I ran an 11:15 lap. That is only 2 seconds better than my best but that 11:17 was set late spring when the trail was packed and fast. That 11:15 also represents a jump from my recent best averages which where only around 11:40. It was NOT and easy lap, the trail is still pretty loose. I had to really get up on it and nearly went down twice. 1) caught a pedal on the down hill after the bench 2) front wheel washed 1" for every foot forward on the first right turn after marker 1.9
Thu, 08/26/2010 - 4:01pm
#5
Thanks hammr!
-Loc
Thu, 08/26/2010 - 3:57pm
#6
Like Loc said, they don't update those all that often. I have the webpage listed if you click the link under the land manager. I just put the phone number below it. The trail is probably fine right now.
Thu, 08/26/2010 - 3:42pm
#7
They used to list the number on their site:
http://www.plano.gov/Departments/parksandrecreation/Parks/Pages/arbor_hi...
The number is now gone.
This spring when we had a lot of rain, they were not updating the voice message very often at all. They also just left the status line as closed most of the time on the site itself.
Right now, the page says open. But it said open while it was raining, so I doubt it was ever altered.
-Loc
Thu, 08/26/2010 - 3:38pm
#8
Can somebody add the phone number posted at the trail for checking conditions to the information section of the trail description above? Might alleviate multiple posts on conditions page asking about dryness. I always forget to write the number down when I am there. Was curious myself as to how much rain they got out there. I would think it was open, but you never know.
Thu, 08/26/2010 - 2:02pm
#9
Is the trail good to go after the rain the other day? Didn't have much sun yesterday, so was not sure if things dried out yet or not.
Thanks!
-Loc
Thu, 08/26/2010 - 9:38am
#10
On another note I would love to see "WACKY WEDNESDAYS" where we mark and ride the trail counter-clockwise (any chance at all Hammr?)
While it's certainly nice to change things up that's not going to happen. Way too many people would just assume the trail is going the same direction it always does. I can just imagine someone assuming the trail is still going the way it always does and running into someone on the climb/downhill before/after the bench. I'd be really surprised if the city would go for that.
If you want to ride it backwards do it after dark when you there's about a 90% chance you won't see anyone else out there and if you do their light sticks out like a sore thumb so you know they're coming.
How much rain did we get out here yesterday/today?