Arlington to Dedicate Clete McAlister Trail at Veterans Park
Published on June 23, 2026
The paved trail at Veterans Park will soon be named for lifelong Arlington resident Clete McAlister.
Arlington Parks, Recreation & Culture will hold a dedication ceremony on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 9 a.m. to officially name the trail loop at Veterans Park the Clete McAlister Trail, honoring one of Arlington's most dedicated and distinguished community servants.
The ceremony will take place at Veterans Park, located at 3600 W. Arkansas Lane, Arlington, TX 76016. Speakers will include Mayor Jim Ross, Council Member Nikkie Hunter, and Clete McAlister himself.
McAlister is a lifelong Arlington resident, Arlington High School graduate, United States Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, and University of Texas at Arlington alumnus. As president of the Arlington Veterans Park Foundation, he has been instrumental in shaping Veterans Park into a place of remembrance, education, and community pride, strengthening the partnership between the City of Arlington and UTA through the Memorial to the Fallen and its online database powered by UTA student research.
His commitment to honoring service extends across Arlington's most meaningful veteran observances. McAlister organized the annual Arlington Field of Honor, displaying hundreds of American flags to commemorate the September 11 attacks, and served as race director of the Arlington Heroes Run benefiting police and fire veterans.
Beyond his veteran advocacy, McAlister built a distinguished career in local government following his military service, holding multiple leadership roles with Tarrant County, including director of planning, operations manager for the district courts, and the County's first criminal courts administrator overseeing twenty misdemeanor and felony courts. He also helped establish the 911 emergency network in Tarrant County, a system that continues to protect residents today.
In retirement, McAlister has continued to give back through service on the City of Arlington's Planning and Zoning Commission and Parks Board, the Arlington ISD Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, Theatre Arlington's Board of Directors and the Rotary Club of Arlington.
<p "="">The event is open to the public.