About Greenbelt Park: By strolling the Greenbelt, you can enjoy the woods, meadows, and ponds along Furneaux Creek as it flows through Carrollton to the Elm Fork of the Trinity River.

Address: 1600-1602 Crooked Creek Dr, Carrollton, TX 75007

Wildlife: Along the way, you can discover wildflowers such as daises, bluebonnets, thistle, cone flowers and Indian blankets, trees surrounding the greenbelt such as Chinese elm, mesquite trees, and cottonwoods. The area is a haven for diverse wildlife, including migratory waterfowl, raptors, and more. You may encounter Mallard ducks, Great Egrets, Herons, Eastern Bluebirds, Red-eared Sliders, Cooper's Hawks, and Red-tailed Hawks.

Plants: As you explore, you'll encounter a vibrant display of wildflowers, including daisies, bluebonnets, thistles, cone flowers, and Indian blankets. The greenbelt is adorned with trees such as Chinese elm, mesquite, and cottonwoods. 

Before You Visit: For your comfort and safety, we advise wearing long pants and closed-toe shoes while exploring the nature trail. Please dress according to the weather and consider bringing snacks for the journey.

About the Dimension Tract: The Dimension Tract is a secluded 38-acre parcel along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, featuring a 14-acre pond, 3.5 acres of wetlands, 9 acres of river bottom timber, and native vegetation. It also includes a canoe and kayak launch on the Trinity River. Despite past issues like illegal dumping and damage from four-wheelers, City and regional support, along with community involvement, are transforming it into a haven for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts. 

Address: 1199 Elm Park Drive

Wildlife: With its expansive wetlands and acres of land, hosts a variety of wildlife, including the Great Blue Heron, Red-Tailed Hawk, Northern Cardinal, Coyote, Great Egret, and bobcats. Its proximity to the Elm Fork of the Trinity River means it shares habitat with many similar species found in the surrounding area. 

Plants: The Dimension Tract showcases a variety of native vegetation, including Sugar Hackberry trees, Red Mulberry trees, button bushes, and cattails. 

*Bobcat photo by Randy Moody.

About Elm Fork Nature Preserve: Elm Fork Nature Preserve, a densely wooded 40-acre area once part of the Trinity River bottoms, was originally purchased as a wood right by the Bramblitt family in 1861. It was later generously donated to the City of Carrollton in 1986. To learn more about the Bramblitt family and history of Carrollton visit here. Now owned by Dallas County and maintained by the City of Carrollton, the preserve welcomes visitors every day of the year. Its trails wind through diverse plant and animal habitats, where young plants offer vital food and shelter, and mature trees provide fruits, nuts, seeds, and nesting spots.

Before You Visit: For your comfort and safety, it is recommended to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes when visiting the preserve. 

Visit the Elm Fork Nature Preserve page.

Photo by Randy Moody.

About Josey Ranch Pocket Prairie: Living in an urban area, creating a small prairie garden is an excellent way to bring the beauty of the prairie into your own backyard while providing essential habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. Thanks to a partnership between the Denton County Master Gardeners and the City of Carrollton, this pocket prairie has been restored with a diverse array of flowering plants and grasses that thrive in our Blackland Prairie ecosystem. These native plants not only enhance the beauty of our environment but also provide critical food and shelter for a variety of wildlife species. 

Address: 1700 Keller Springs Rd, Carrollton TX 75006

Wildlife: Native plants in a prairie enhance our environment's beauty and provide essential food and shelter for wildlife, including Buckeye, Painted Lady, and Red Admiral butterflies, honeybees, wasps, carpenter bees, cottontail rabbits, coyotes, squirrels, and mice. Supporting these plants helps sustain the diverse wildlife that depends on them. 

Plants: Various wildflowers and shrubs, including native plants such as Mountain Laurel, Pride of Barbados, Purple Aster, Milkweed, and Standing Cypress, enhance the beauty of our prairie and provide essential food and shelter for wildlife. 

Before You Visit: Remember to take only photos and leave only footprints.  

About Furneaux Creek Nature Trail: The Furneaux Creek Nature Trail initiative started in 2015 with tree plantings along Furneaux Creek by residents and Cub Scouts. These initial efforts garnered interest from neighbors along the Furneaux Creek/Carrollton Blue Trail, leading to the formation of a nonprofit organization in partnership with the City of Carrollton called Friends of Furneaux Creek. The goal is to enhance the Carrollton Blue Trail with natural enhancements by creating a parallel nature trail within the green belt along Furneaux Creek.

Address: 4100 Arbor Creek Dr, Carrollton, TX 75007

Wildlife: The area boasts diverse wildlife, including the Eastern Bluebird, Monarch butterflies, Blue Jay, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Screech Owl, and even sightings of bobcats.

Plants: The landscape features a variety of native flora, such as Switchgrass, Musk Thistle, Blue Sage, Common Sunflower, Honey Mesquite, Rough leaf Dogwood, Mexican Buckeye, and Indian Blanket. 

Before You Visit: For your comfort and safety, we recommend wearing long pants and closed-toe shoes when visiting the nature trail.  

About Wildflower Locations: Carrollton has so many places to see wildflowers in bloom. Enjoy the colorful flowers outside and snap some pictures at the photo stations. Use the Carrollton Wildflower Map to find all six locations.

Visit the Wildflower Watch page.