White Rock lake | bacrossroads

Fun by the Shore, Mysterious Legend

White Rock lake offers opportnuties for BA Cougars

By RAMON CRUZ, 12

White Rock Lake offers many opportunities for fun and relaxation to the students of BA. The lake is the crown jewel of East Dallas, right in the BA neighborhood. It has been a favorite hangout for Cougars since the school opened in 1957.

Jogging can be done on a trail that stretches over nine miles and for the cycling enthusiast there is a track over eleven miles. Both offer beautiful and scenic views of the lake, park and surrounding neighborhoods.

If you are a dog lover White Rock Lake is the location of the first “Dog Park” in Dallas, established in 2001. The park is right off Mockingbird Lane.

The dog park is free but there are rules such as “no puppies under 4 months of age” and “no more than 3 dogs per owner.” Find out more at whiterockdogpark.org.

If you’re into kayaking or simply want to try something new you can rent a kayak for $14.99 an hour and $7.50 for each additional hour from the White Rock Paddle Co. Remember, if you’re under eighteen you will have to get a signature from one of your parents or guardian.

Along the lake on Garland Road you can find the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Many BA students have probably already visited the Arboretum during field trips while in elementary school. The Arboretum was opened to the public in the year 1984 and gets over 950,000 visitors a year. It continues to be one of the most popular attractions to both tourists and local residents.

“The Twelve Days of Christmas” is a holiday event being held at the Arboretum between November 26 through January 4, 2015. The Arboretum describes the event as a way to:

“Celebrate the holidays like never before with this centerpiece exhibit featuring an elaborate collection of 25-foot Victorian gazebos filled with the charming costumed characters and whimsical animals made famous by the beloved Christmas Carol.”

The cost is $15 for adults ages 13-65. Log in to dallasarboretum.org for lots more information.

The lake even comes with its own urban legend. “The Lady of the Lake” is an urban legend known by residents near the lake. According to the story, years ago a woman drowned in the lake and her ghost reappears every year on the day of the anniversary of her death. She waits on the side of the road for somebody to pick her up. The ghost then asks the driver for a ride to an address. On the way she disappears and leaves nothing but a wet spot on the car seat.

Anfrenee Bee is a BA senior who claims to have experienced the “Lady’. According to Anfernee, he and his friends were cruising around the lake one night a few months ago when he spotted her.

“We over on the Garland Road side and as I looked out toward the lake I saw what appeared to be a woman in a white gown on one of the docks. I know I saw a lady in a white dress and when I looked back she wasn’t there anymore,” he said.

Whether or not the sightings are real, the lady of the lake remains a mysterious and exciting story.

White Rock Lake wasn’t always a city park or ghost site. In the beginning the lake was used as a source of water for the City of Dallas. Residents now receive their water from other sources like Lake Ray Hubbard.

If you are looking for some fun, healthy and inexpensive entertainment don’t forget White Rock Lake. Who knows, you might even see the “Lady.”