The new station is situated at the northwest corner of Walnut Hill and White Rock Trail, and is already famous for being DART’s first, and only, infill station.
Those tracks have quite a history too, as they were originally the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, or more familiar to many LH runners, the Katy Trail.
That history has married perfectly to the new Lake Highlands Station on Whistle Stop Place, deep in the heart of what is on its way to becoming the Lake Highlands Town Center.
On this official DART Customer Appreciation Day, riders and visitors were greeting with balloons, big smiles, and steaming cups of hot coffee.
As trains pulled in and out of the station, DART and city officials welcomed all comers to take time checking out the art and elements of the station, designed by Jennifer Sereno, artist and native to Lake Highlands.
Imprints of oak leaves, fossils and plant life, native to the area, are found all along the platform and columns, along with the consummate symbol of Lake Highlands, Wildcat paw prints!
Running on schedule, DART President Gary Thomas stepped to the podium to recognize and thank the many people who worked toward this newest Blue Line station, including former City Council Members Donna Halstead, Bill Blades and Alan Walne, current District 10 Councilman Jerry Allen, and DART representatives William Velasco, Chairman of the Board, and Scott Carlson, DART Board Secretary.
"While you might have heard that we opened this little Green Line this morning, it’s not nearly as spectacular as the Lake Highlands Station!" said Thomas.
"As we look to the west and Town Center, we see all this opportunity right in front of us, and that’s what this is. It’s a great opportunity, as we imagine all the things that are going to happen around this station, interacting and serving this community."
Board Secretary Scott Carlson briefly took the podium to thank the LHHS Wranglers, Cheerleaders and Bell Boys for attending, and to elaborate on the design, saying simply, "these elements are a nod to our area and the Lake Highlands flavor that flows through this station. This station reflects our community."
While the Lake Highlands Station was originally approved by the DART Board as part of the rail extension into Garland, it was deferred because of the economy and ridership concerns. That changed when development began on the Town Center in 2006.
Councilman Allen recognized Prescott Realty for staying their course.
"This 70 acres here is going to change the face of Lake Highlands. It’ll bring a breath of fresh air into Lake Highlands. We’ve now got over 13 cities we can go to, over 12,400 stops."
At that point, the Councilman asked the LHHS Wildcat Mascot to join him at the podium while he drew names and announced the two winners of the Lake Highlands Today gift packages. They were Phil Shelton and Mike Foganty, and both received bags chock full of gift cards from businesses all throughout the Lake Highlands community.
Shivering slightly, the LHHS Wranglers then wowed and warmed up the audience by performing as only they can – with gusto!
The new Lake Highlands DART Station is officially located at 9393 Whistle Stop Place, and is accessible from both Walnut Hill Lane and Skillman Street.
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