City of Southlake

Located on 70+ acres of City of Southlake park land, the Nature Center will be a model for preservation in the heart of the Metroplex.  Tucked next to Lake Grapevine and U.S. Army Corps of Engineer land, Bob Jones Park and the Nature Center are next to an older residential area.  The park includes a girls' softball complex, a recreational soccer complex, equestrian trail heads and trails, fishing pavilion, and a dog park.

The property currently designated for the Nature Center had a home and barn that were used until 2005.  The home has been remodeled for the Nature Center headquarters and the barn is still a work in progress with plans for additional teaching and learning areas.
The land from the house slopes down towards the lake and still bears the imprint of farming and ranching.  There is access to the Corps of Engineer land, much of which is leased by the City of Southlake.  Huge post oaks, blackjack oaks, hickories, and walnut trees are strewn throughout the acres.  A stock pond has become home for water-loving plants and animals.  Birds fly from tree to tree, soar above, dash in and out of ground cover.  Raccoon and deer prints can be found in the stream beds.  A beaver attempts to block up one of the creeks that feed into the lake.  Prairie plants such as little bluestem grass, Indian grass, and cone flowers are found in a mosaic of patches throughout the Corps property and other undeveloped areas of the park.

With the assistance of early visionaries, volunteer leadership, and the City of Southlake, the Nature Center has been identified as a critical conservation and preservation area and as an integral part of the City's and the region's parks and recreation plans.

LINKS:

• Schedule of Events: Celebrate the Grand Opening of the Nature Center the entire month of April!
• Location & directions
• Bob Jones Nature Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, proud supporter of the Nature Center Facility