Parks Good for Midnight Picnic? (Dallas, Irving: rent, hotel, subdivision)

[moomoo20]

So I was wondering if anyone knew of any parks that would allow/be good for a midnight (maybe very late evening) picnic in Dallas. I'd prefer it to be private (at least the picnic spot, if not the park itself), and somewhere a little out of the city lights would be nice.

I've heard that Whiterock park is nice but I don't know where to narrow the area down to. I've actually never been to Dallas so I have no idea where to start.

Somewhere where I can spread out a blanket on the grass would be great- it's part of a birthday surprise for my boyfriend.

Thank you for any help, I really appreciate it!

[Rakin]

There is a nice little lake in La Villita subdivision of Las Colinas (Irving) with a gazebo that over looks the water. Or any where along the Campion Trail... there are 2 nice small parks on the Trail just north (or under 635).

Anywhere I know of in Dallas, I would carry my concealed Handgun. Probably any park in the whole Metro area after Midnight.

Better yet, get a room at a nice hotel.

[Lakewooder]

Handgun, are you serious? Wow. I should have been killed or robbed a long time ago according to your paranoia.

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by Lakewooder

Handgun, are you serious? Wow. I should have been killed or robbed a long time ago according to your paranoia.

No paranoia, just cautious of being in a park after midnight. If I was a bad guy, I'd be out shopping for an innocent couple in the night.

And there are plenty of bad guys around.

[ETex2]

Originally Posted by Lakewooder

Handgun, are you serious? Wow. I should have been killed or robbed a long time ago according to your paranoia.

Not paranoia at all. There's a story about an old woman who kept a shotgun by the door, a handgun in her bedside table, and a rifle in the closet, all loaded and ready. When her neighbor asked her what she was afraid of, her reply was "absolutely nothing".

It's not "paranoia" to cover your bases. Just smart.

[Considering Coming Back]

There is a small picnic pavilion that over looks White Rock and the skyline just south of Van Dyke on Peavy. That would be my first choice. My second choice would be Ridgewood, a little north of Mockingbird off Fisher. I just really like that park. Churchill off Hillcrest is also quite nice.

[jdallas]

If you go to White Rock, just be prepared to have a patrol car stop by and ask what you are doing. Neighbors around that area can get a bit concerned with cars parking there for extended periods of time in the middle of the night and may phone it in.

[BstYet2Be]

.
You'll need to schedule your picnic a little earlier since all City of Dallas parks are closed from 11 p.m. - 5 a.m. -- see Dallas Parks Curfew Hours on Dallas Park and Recreation web page, bottom right.
.

[Lakewooder]

Yes, there are 'regular' people at White Rock at all hours - and the police will stop by if you are visible to them, but you will probably be o.k. so long as you are not drinking alcohol in the wrong place - if you keep it very discreet you might swing it. You can rent the buildings at White Rock such as the Big Thicket and Winfrey Point but you must leave at midnight.

Now if you are out watching "the submarine races" as we say in East Dallas - you might get in trouble. That's necking/making out in a car for the uninitiated.

I don't know the policies in the downtown parks or arts district, but you might look into that.

Ridgewood by the creek is a good spot (and close to the fire station if you are concerned about safety). Also if you go pretty far down into Lakewood Park on Williamson, probably nobody would see you.

[mSooner]

I don't know that I would feel comfortable in White Rock after dark. We used to go on early morning runs with Run On and it was pretty creepy