08/14/2026
Growing up in Lake Highlands, some of my earliest memories are riding bikes with my dad. I’d ride as far as I could before we’d lock up my bike, I’d climb onto the seat behind him and we’d finish the ride together. We always stopped at what we called the “Roby Secret Tree” — a giant white tree that became our special landmark. Years later, I learned the Dallas Fire Department used it for training, but to me, it will always be our tree.
My name is Daniel Roby, and this is My Dallas Trail Story.
I’m a second-generation Lake Highlands resident, husband, father of four, and CEO of Austin Street Center (Austin Street Center), where we serve neighbors experiencing homelessness. I feel most alive when I’m serving people with the greatest need. It’s deeply meaningful work, but coordinating emergency response and resources during extreme weather can also be incredibly demanding.
The trails are where I reset.
After graduating from Baylor, I commuted by bike every day while living in Portland. When I eventually moved back to Dallas, riding became less about getting from place to place and more about enjoying the journey. Today, I still bike to meetings, connect to DART by trail, run local routes and head out for long weekend rides.
One of my favorite routes starts on the Northaven Trail, crosses the Northaven Bridge, winds through Harry Moss Park and the White Rock Creek Trail, loops around White Rock Lake and continues along the Santa Fe Trail toward downtown. On weekdays I’ll usually ride about 15 miles. On weekends, that might turn into 45 — with a stop at a local coffee shop to catch up with friends along the way.
Some of my favorite memories now are training for triathlons with my sons, creating the same kind of connection my dad created with me all those years ago.
For me, getting outside is my alternative to counseling. Sunshine, movement and time with friends always bring me back with a clearer mind and a better perspective. As my wife likes to say, I always come home in a better mood.
Trails don’t just connect places — they reconnect us to ourselves.
