> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.tx.co/llms.txt
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# DeSoto
- URL: https://www.tx.co/areas/desoto/
- Published: 2026-10-11T10:49:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-11T22:54:44.000Z
- Description: DeSoto's public recreation network includes community parks, neighborhood parks, and natural-area trails.
- Author: LC
- Tags: #area, Dallas County

DeSoto's public recreation network includes community parks, neighborhood parks, and natural-area trails. Roy Orr Trail connects several local activity areas, with Ernie Roberts Park serving as a trailhead in its central section. Paul S. Dryer Preserve at Windmill Hill provides a different outdoor setting with heavily vegetated land and soft-surface paths. These destinations are useful reference points for comparing specific streets.

A soft-surface preserve route is different from a developed community park or a paved recreation path. The city's directory identifies each type separately, including places such as Moseley Park and Grimes Park. For a particular property, check the nearest usable entrance, crossings, and surface type. For Roy Orr Trail, locate a public trailhead with the parking and facilities you need rather than assuming access from every adjoining street.

### Places to know

**Roy Orr Trail.** A public trail corridor connecting local recreation destinations.

**Ernie Roberts Park.** A community park that serves as a central Roy Orr Trail access point.

**Paul S. Dryer Preserve at Windmill Hill.** A wooded nature preserve with soft-surface trails.

### Check at the address, not the town name

- Check whether the intended nearby route is paved or soft-surface before planning regular walking or cycling.
- Use Ernie Roberts Park and other official trailheads to compare actual Roy Orr Trail access from the property.
- School attendance zones, flood risk, HOA obligations, utilities and property taxes follow the exact address. Use current records: [TEA school district locator](https://tea.texas.gov/families-and-students/school-district-locator/school-district-locator?ref=tx.co), [FEMA flood maps](https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home?ref=tx.co), [county appraisal districts](https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/county-directory/?ref=tx.co).

### Sources

- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), Aug 2026; typical value, Desoto citywide.
- Mortgage rate: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, 10-08-2026.
- [City of DeSoto: park and trail directory](https://www.desototexas.gov/684/DeSoto-Parks-Trails?ref=tx.co)
- [City of DeSoto: Ernie Roberts Park and trail access](https://www.desototexas.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Ernie-Roberts-Park-10?ref=tx.co)
- [NCTCOG regional city and community reference](https://geospatial.nctcog.org/map/rest/services/Boundaries/Boundaries/MapServer/6?ref=tx.co)
- [NCTCOG January 1, 2026 population estimates](https://rdc.dfwmaps.com/pdfs/2026%20NCTCOG%20Population%20Estimates%20Publication.pdf?ref=tx.co)