The preserve is located at 5201 Bowman Springs Road in Arlington, Texas (GPS coordinates 32°39’44.1″N, 97°13’23.4″W). It is easiest to get there from I-20 to the north or from Kennedale Pkwy. to the southwest.
It is open from 5:00am to 10:00pm. Except during planned events, there are no staff or volunteers present, and note that there are no restroom facilities at the preserve. Arlington Parks & Recreation Department rules can be seen in the box shown below – please note that no horses, bicycles, or motorized vehicles are allowed on trails, and dogs must be kept on a leash.
We recommend that visitors wear sturdy shoes and bring water, especially during summer. You might consider binoculars or a camera with zoom lens for birding or to get a good look at the turtles in the ponds. You may get a very close look at wildlife such as lizards or dragonflies, but please remember you cannot capture, pick, or dig up any living things. We hope you will “leave no trace.”
In case of emergency, call 911; if you have a question for Arlington Parks & Recreation Department, call 817-459-5474 or see their website https://www.arlingtontx.gov/city_hall/departments/parks_recreation
Directions
To help locate the preserve and the surrounding area and roads, click HERE to view a map of the area.
Your Safety and Well-Being
The goal of the preserve is to be a place of safety for the wild things that live there and also for the people who walk the trails, go fishing, or sit on a bench and let nature soak in. It is a place where visitors should feel secure either when alone or when passing other folks along the trails. There is little in the nature of the preserve that would cause problems, though there is poison ivy, bull nettle, and places where you should be careful not to trip and fall.
Because everyone’s well-being is extremely important, we have the following suggestions to make your walk a safe and enjoyable one:
- Be aware of your surroundings (also a great way to get the most out of nature). If your attention is grabbed by your phone or your friend, keep noticing what is around you, too. Listen for birds and notice what’s around the trail, and that helps you notice anything safety-related.
- Please stay on the trails. If you are exploring something at the edge of the trail, don’t put your hands or feet where you cannot see. If you are getting a better look at a mushroom or an insect, remember to be careful of poison ivy and do not put your fingers under objects like fallen logs.
- Don’t touch wildlife or approach too close. Most healthy wildlife (think raccoon or squirrel) will not let you get too close, but don’t take chances. And remember, all species at the preserve (even the lizards or katydids) are protected.
- If you are going to be there after dark, go in a group and take flashlights. (The preserve is open until 10pm, so give yourself time to get back to the parking lot and be out by then.)
- If you have a phone, take it with you.
- If a situation does not feel right, then leave. Don’t worry about seeming “silly,” listen to what your intuition tells you. If something concerns you about safety, it’s OK to call 911 (either Arlington or Kennedale police might respond to an emergency at the preserve).
- Let someone know where you are and when to expect you back.
- Go with someone else or in a group. If you know someone who is interested in North Texas nature, bring them along. We also recognize that solitude and quiet can be wonderful, but use good judgment. Children should have a responsible adult with them or nearby on the trails.
- Bring water and dress appropriately. Especially in summer heat, water and a hat or shade are important. With kids and/or dogs/pets, we have to remember that smaller bodies overheat or lose heat more quickly than big bodies. Sturdy shoes help with uneven places on the trail, sun-heated ground, and thorny vines.
- We would love for you to go with us on one of our events. You may do it because you are interested in the nature topic, but it is equally valid to go on a walk with us to get acquainted with the place or because being with a group is safer.
One additional thing: The more we know (like recognizing kinds of plants and animals and knowing the behavior of local wildlife), the safer we will be. And the more rewarding our time in nature will be. That’s not to say that we have to be experts to enjoy nature, but it is good to have some level of “nature literacy.” If we visited another country, it makes sense that being somewhat literate in the culture, language and geography of that country would be an advantage. We need to be able to read a few signs, understand what someone says to us, and know the places where we might run into trouble. In the same way, basic knowledge about wild places will help us know what to expect and how to interact with the lives we will encounter in those places.