After four years I have finally finished up my bachelor's degree. I graduated this past Friday from the University of Texas at Tyler with a degree in Mass Communication and I even managed to graduate Cum Laude. It was a day I have always dreamed about and was not sure if it would actually ever come, but it finally did.

I am thankful for everyone who supported me through this journey- financially, spiritually, and physically. I had some really fun times through the process and made great friends who have big futures ahead of them.

I am a pretty devout about writing things down and journaling. There is something powerful about writing things down so that you can build altars of God's goodness and see exactly what He has done for you and in you. My dad has always said if you write things down it will make them happen, and I believe it. I always have a running to-do list laying around and love the feeling of being able to cross things off of it - college has been a really fun thing to cross off the list.

Here is just a bit of what I was feeling when I first started. It is so much fun looking back at this and think about all the good things and provision that has happened in my life since then. It is a great reminder to trust, it really is so sweet to trust in Him. I think I may be having some of these same feelings this week after graduating about what's next, but I have nothing to worry about because He provides in abundance. I am excited to see what's next.

“It’s just the perfect way to spend my Saturdays,” Amber Hutchinson, an elementary education major at The University of Texas at Arlington, said talking about the Klyde Warren Park. When the weather is nice, Amber tries to spend all of her Saturdays at the park with her golden retriever, Max.

The Klyde Warren Park is one of the most unique parks in Dallas, Texas. It is located on the edge of the Dallas arts district, above the Woodall Rodgers Freeway and links uptown and downtown Dallas together. “It’s like a little haven in the midst of the big city and it’s even better that it is above the freeway,” Hutchinson said.

The park offers a wide variety of activities each day. From reading a variety of newspapers sponsored by the Dallas Morning News, practicing your golf skills on the putting green, or playing a game of chess you can do it all at the Klyde Warren Park. There is something for everyone at the park. The park also offers different events throughout the week; some popular ones are the free zumba, yoga and boot camp classes held on site.

One of the most popular features of the park is the specialized area for dogs, the My Best Friend Park. While dogs are welcome in all parts of the park this area is made just for them to roam leash free and even has a fountain for them to cool off and play in. “Even when I don’t bring my dog I still love checking out the dog park to see everyone else’s cute puppies playing in the fountain. It’s just really neat,” Hutchison said.

The park also has a specialized area for children, a performance pavilion, walking trails, and a game area and offers free Wi-Fi on location.

The park’s location is ideal for spending the day in the city. It is in walking distance to the Dallas arts district, which includes the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Dallas Museum of Art. The new Perot Museum is located just down the street. The Nasher Sculpture Center offers free admission on the first Saturday of each month making it the perfect time to plan your day.

Different food trucks offering a wide variety of foods such as sushi, snow cones, and grilled cheese sandwiches set up at the park each day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can grab something from one of the many food trucks or they also have a restaurant on location. “I really love all the food trucks. It has a really cool Austin vibe that I love,” Hutchinson said.

Construction of the park began in 2009 and the park opened in 2012. The office of James Burnett designed the park. The park is named after—local businessman and billionaire—Kelcy Warren’s son Klyde.

The park boasts 5.2 acres for the public to enjoy at no cost. It is funded by a private foundation and donations, so park visitors must follow the foundation’s rules and operating hours—6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

There are future plans to hopefully connect the park to the Katy Trail.

The Klyde Warren Park is located at 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway Dallas, Texas 75201. For more information about the Klyde Warren Park and the upcoming schedule of events visit their website www.KlydeWarrenPark.org or contact them at info@theparkdallas.org. You can also follow the Klyde Warren Park on Facebook.

Here is a interactive map I created that includes attractions, lodging, and dining in the Dallas Arts District to help plan your visit.

Blog.