The Santa Fe Plaza and Market Trail Recognized as a Great Place in Texas

The Santa Fe Plaza and Market Trail were recognized as a Great Place in Texas by the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association.

The Great Places in Texas program recognizes unique and exemplary streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces – three essential components of all communities – and celebrates how planning has played a vital role where we live, work, and play. The program promotes and recognizes great places while celebrating stories of exemplary planning that have resulted in stronger and healthier communities.

The recently completed Santa Fe Plaza and Market Trail were the product of innovative City and Community leaders identifying a vision for the Downtown Temple Strategic Plan in 2013. As a result of the planning and collaboration, the new multi-functional plaza and trail are at the center of downtown Temple’s continuing transformation.

The Santa Fe Plaza and Market Trail were designated as a Great Public Space. Great Public Spaces help promote social interaction and create a sense of community.

The Santa Fe Plaza is a public space with functional design elements that also pays tribute to the most significant symbol of Temple’s railroad heritage, the Santa Fe Depot. The Santa Fe Depot is the backdrop to the Plaza which is flanked by the Santa Fe Business Center and the Temple ISD Administrative building.

The Plaza’s design allows for booth space for events, and the food truck park alongside the Plaza provides space for entrepreneurs to promote their businesses. The design also recognizes the value of nature with a water feature and green space.

The Santa Fe Market Trail is a pedestrian path that connects Whistle Stop Park to the east via improvements under the 3rd Street Bridge to the new MLK Festival Fields. The MLK Festival fields are located between Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and South Fourth Street and are the home of festivals and events to enhance the quality of life in Temple.
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Learn more about the Great Places in Texas at texas.planning.org/community-outreach/great-places-texas/explore-great-places-texas.