Paddling Village Creek and Lake Arlington

How we got started....

 

When our oldest son was 5, my daughter 3 and our youngest not even a thought, Santa gave us a Family Christmas Gift, a canoe.  It was the start of a wonderful hobby/obsession for us as a family.  We joined a local paddling club, and enjoyed attending events with other families,  Now, 7 years later, we still love to get out on the water as a family, although our oldest now has his own kayak, and has even raced a few times.  We are always excited to take on a new paddling trail, creek or river. 

Lake Arlington offers some nice parks for families, good fishing and a couple of nice chances to get out on the water. 

There is a Texas Parks and Wildlife Paddling Trail on the lake.  The trail is 10.9 miles and goes around the edges of the lakes.  This is a nice and easy float, perfect for the family and new paddlers.  You can put in or take out at Richard Simpson Park, and travel around the lake to Bowman Springs.  Richard Simpson park is the home of the Arlington Yacht Club, and on Saturdays you may get a chance to watch the races.  Bowman Springs offers restrooms, as well as a nice little playground for the kids, and a fishing pier.

If what you are looking for is a run instead of a float, then head out Everman Kennedale Rd. to put in on Village Creek.  Lake Arlington receives water from Richland Chambers Reservior in Navarro County.  The water is pumped into Village Creek at a pump station, and it supplies the creek with clear water for a nice paddle, even in summer when most Texas creeks aren't navigable.  Put in under the bridge at the pump station.  If you are lucky enough, they will be pumping water when you put in, giving you a nice ride! 

My husband went out a couple of weeks ago with his brother, Jeremy and a friend.  With all the baseball and soccer games, the kids and I just haven't been able to go with them yet.  Jeremy wore a small camera on his hat, a GoPro Hero, which took pictures every few minutes.  The pics in this post are from that camera.  Thanks, Jerms!

Can you see the water flowing from the pump station?  Yep, that's your drinking water, Arlington! 

 

The ride is mostly smooth......

With a few riffles and rapids mixed in for fun when the water is running!

 

Don't you just love this old train bridge?  You can take out just past I-20, or continue onto Bowman Springs Park.  You can also stop in the lake and get in a little fishing, too.  We really enjoy following The Fishing Librarian on facebook, an Arlington librarian who offers some good fishing tips on the lake and some good reads, too!