10 Surprising Things To See Along Getzendaner Trail in Waxahachie, Texas – Hike #4
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A few weeks ago, I went hiking at Getzendaner Memorial Park in Waxahachie, Texas, and these 10 surprising things to see along Getzendaner trail made me smile and wonder.
Getzendaner Memorial Park is a city park with flat, wide concrete paved trail connected the park to Lions Park on the other end. It’s about 3-¾ miles one way with sponsored monuments mark the trail every ¼ mile. Tall trees like pecan tree give shades to people who hike, walk, run, or bike along the trail. It’s really a wonderful place for hiking with your family, friends, or even by yourself like I did.
Next to paved trail is a mountain biking trail and it looks interesting and challenging. I got to see a group of bikers passed by me and I tell you what. Stick walking to the paved trail because these bikers moved really fast!
I started hiking from Getzendaner Memorial Park where they put the start sign stone. Soon these 10 surprising things to see along Getzendaner trail appears to me, one at a time, and I wanted to share it with you. Here they are, in order, from the beginning of trail to Lions Park.
10 Surprising Things To See Along Getzendaner Trail in Waxahachie, Texas – Hike #4
1. Benches
Slightly after the half-mile sign, I saw a bench that I think will make you hard to leave once you sit there. It’s so inviting and strategically located along the trail. I saw another one not too far from there. A good place for people who wants to read or take a nap outside. Seriously!
2. Crossing the cemetery
I wasn’t sure if I was on the right track when I saw a cemetery at the curve. I looked around but that’s the only way to go. Haha… First part is the old cemetery, followed by the new ones. I snapped a couple of pictures of the old ones from the trail. And on the other side of the trail is a house. I mean, a living house with children’s bicycle and tricycle scattered outside. I looked around again, and I noticed the only way for them to leave the house is through the roads on the cemetery complex. Really? As I continued my hike in wonder, I thought about how if the family have an emergency in the middle of the night!
3. Rogers Bridge Street
The paved trail ends before N. Rogers St. and there’s no sign of paved trail across the street. On the right-hand side there was an old bridge. It’s a Historic Rogers Street Bridge. From the information I got, it is perhaps the most unique engineering feature in the historic district. To the left is the square and I could see part of the Courthouse from where I stood. So, I took pictures of the bridge and crossed it.
4. Crossing the street
Right after the bridge I saw the trail mark pointing to the paved trail across the street. So, this is it. Fortunately, the traffic wasn’t bad at all. Again, I had to cross another street like a half-mile from here.
5. Bamboo “Forest”
Then, a bamboo ‘forest’ awaited me on the left side of the trail. Cool! There is a dirt trail that probably part of the bike trail into the bamboos. I took the dirt trail here and snapped pictures again. I sent it to my family in Indonesia and said I’m in Japan. You know, the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Lol. I found these bamboo clusters along the trail all the way to Lions Park.
6. Old train tracks and bridge
A creek separated the trail and the old train depot. So, expect to see the old train tracks and bridge. On my way back from Lions Park I explored a bit here.
7. Dog Park
Yes, you will pass Wags-a-hachie dog park. But there’s only one dog that day. I guess because it was in the 40s. Too cold for the owner to be outside. Haha…
8. Butterfly Garden
Not too far after the dog park, you will find a butterfly garden. It has information and pictures about the life cycle of butterfly and what kind of butterfly that people will see there. I imagine it will be beautiful in the spring time.
9. Copperhead Pass
Maybe it’s only the name, but who knows. I didn’t have a gut to check this dirt trail.
10. Horses
Arrived at the tip of the trail, which is Lions Park, horses were waiting for me. I stopped and tried to talk with them, but I think they weren’t too interested with me that day. So, I said goodbye and turned around, continued my hike back to Getzendaner Memorial Park.
I would say this trail is beautiful and fun. It’s easy and mostly covered by trees, and if you want, you can turn before the bridge and walk to the square. Grab your lunch at one of the restaurants, walk around, then come back to continue with your hike.
Other Surprising Things To See At Getzendaner Memorial Park
Back to my starting point, I walked around a bit. There’s a historic Matthews Street Bridge that for many years was the only access for people who live outside the county to bring and sell their cotton and other crops to nearby gins and First Monday Trade Days in the county.
In the middle of the park, there are at least a couple of covered playgrounds and picnic tables. I also saw Chautauqua Auditorium at the distance. It’s one of the few octagonal auditoriums in America. It is only open during special events and during the Gingerbread Trail.
Before I went back to my car, I saw this big log lies near one of the children’s playground. I decided to take a break and lie down on it. As I was trying to make myself comfortable on it, I realized I had a company on the other side. He was cute and watching at me. I went back to sit and watched him, but he didn’t move at all. So, I jumped to the ground and approached him from the other side. He still didn’t move even when I took pictures of him. Obviously, he’s an extra surprised for my hiking at Getzendaner Memorial Park. Here he is.
Have you been hiking, strolling, jogging, or biking at Getzendaner Memorial Park in Waxahachie? What do you think about it? If you have something to add to the list that I probably missed, leave it in the comment below and I will see if it’s fit to the post. If you haven’t been there, go and hike or bike here. You will have lots of fun. Getzendaner trail is waiting for you!
Address: 400 S. Grand Ave., Waxahachie, TX 75165. About 50 minutes from Ft. Worth to the southeast and 35 minutes from Dallas to the east.
As always, I would be happy if you help me share this post to your social media channels or pin it for the future. Thank you very much! Have fun spending time outdoor!
I had never heard of Getzendaner Memorial Park in Waxahachie but I quite liked this hike from your experience. This looks quite engaging with so many interesting things to get surprised with. I love bridges, benches, bamboo forest, old tracks, garden and if you get them all on a hike, what more one can ask for. The copperhead pass trail looked thrilling.
One of the best for city parks.
I have never heard of this Getsendaner trail before but it’s so amazing. The benches the cemetry , the bridge street – they all make a phenomenal trip to take. Would like to keep an eye for this.
What a unique place to hike!! I love the bridge and old train trestle!!
That’s what I found in my own back yard and I’m glad to be able to share it with others.
I love bridges so this would be a great trail for me! It’s nice when trails cover more area than just a park, I’d love to get out and do some hiking in my own town.
I’ve been to several city parks lately, and I’m glad all of them just used the park (playground in the park) as a starting point.
I haven’t visited this part of the USA but after reading your article, I would love to do it someday and see these beautiful parks. Sounds like a you had a great day out exploring the Getzendaner Memorial Park. It was also very
interesting to learn bit of history about the Matthews Street Bridge and how people used to sell cotton and other crops here and your pictures look amazing!
Thank you, Daniel! I like how they built the trails along historic places. That’s the added value for this trail.
Looks like such a beautiful and peaceful place to wander and explore!
The bridges and train tracks seems pretty neat!
They do. Old constructions always attract me.
Been searching for more to do in the states this year since we finished off the whole northeast. Thanks for this!
You are welcome! I hope you will find your way here.
I have not done this part of the USA and would love to visit and see these beautiful parks. Getzendaner Memorial Park in Waxahachie, Texas, surely ticks my box as I visit similar parks in my area with the kids and is a great day out for kids and adults. Like the lovely bench in the park which is so peaceful and you can just watch nature at its best here . Some great walks through the wilderness and the visuals compliment your post. thanks for sharing a great place to enjoy nature .
Thank you, Amar! This place is really great for family. Parents and children will like it a lot.
Love your free flowing writing style. Lovely train and love the wooden sculpture of the Squirrel. It reminds me of one such hiking trail in Lausanne, Switzerland. There is a wooden statue of a cow sitting on a bench.
Thank you, Chirasree! I would like sitting next to the cow. 🙂
More urban parks can be so interesting! This one seems to have so many different features, you could spend an entire day exploring the whole area.
I think that’s how it supposed to be especially in Texas where most state parks are far from the cities.
Right of the bat, the swinging bench got me. Interesting little place. Will definitely include it in my trip when going to the great state of Texas.
Hope you make it here!
The greatest destinations and most overlooked are the ones closest to home. Its good to see that you are actively exploring your surroundings. And what a wonderful place that is. Your post motivates me now to look closer at the places in my immediate vicinity.
Sometimes we need to remind others and even ourselves that destinations don’t always have to be far. There are good, beautiful, adventurous places near where we live.
Great post! Our family are avid hikers. Saving this for our upcoming Texas trip. And we’ll check out your other hike ideas.
Great! Thank you!
wow I’ve never heard of Getzendaner Trail, but there are so many things to do! I mean, a butterfly pavilion? I’m in!
O, wow! It’s so cool to see a bamboo forest. I would have been surprised to see that too. I also love old bridges. There is something about the architecture of historical bridges that are so beautiful to me 🙂
Right? Bamboo in Texas! And I’m with you with historical bridges. The history behind it made them beautiful even more.
Wow this park has so many diverse things in it, from a cemetery to a butterfly garden to horses!! I don’t think any parks in my area has anything similar! Great post – thanks for sharing!
That’s why it surprised me when I hiked here.
This looks like a great day trip and lots of interesting places. I loved the bamboo forest, this would be a highlight for me. The path looks interesting, going through the cemetery is a bit of a history and heritage at the same time, while the path crosses through stunning nature as well. Would love to visit there.
I hope more people who live around the area know about this park. It’s good to be out!
This looks so nice. I love the diversity of vegetation that you featured. Who knew there was a “bamboo forest” there.!
And it’s not too far from DFW!
Squeeee! I love that squirrel! I mean, it’s always nice to see a friendly squirrel on a trail, but it’s not often one can stay as still as that! 😉
I also love the look of the first bench. I do enjoy a good walk, but that seems like it would be a perfect spot to curl up with a book, or to watch the world go by!
Lovely post.
Maybe that’s the reason behind the location of the benches.
There is so many things to see and do on this particular trail. The bridges were interesting. I enjoyed your photos of the trail. Thank you for sharing.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.
Sounds like a great day out exploring Getzendaner Memorial Park in Waxahachie, Texas. Good to know that for the most part it’s paved path and then it’s unpaved. But with bridges to cross over, cemeteries to walk by, benches to stop and sit on, there’s quite a bit to keep you busy on your day out here. An interesting bit of history to learn about the Matthews Street Bridge with people historically selling cotton and other crops here.
I was surprised to se all these things on my first hike there. Never thought it would be this fun.