DFW Trail Highlight - John F. Burke Nature Preserve
By: Jeremy Magee
A partnership between the City of Farmers Branch, the Valwood Improvement Authority & the North Texas Tollway Authority, the preserve is located just off Valley View Lane in Farmers Branch and is a rare mix of upland forests and wetlands bordering the Elm Fork of the Trinity River.
Named for longtime and avid city employee John F. Burke (whose work led to the creation of the Farmers Branch park system), there are three trails totaling 2.08 miles (River Trail Loop: .66 mi., Pond Trail Loop: .68 mi. and Thicket Trail Loop: .74 mi.). The difficulty level is easy (as the trail is flat with no hills), and both hikers and bikers are allowed.
There are numerous displays along the various trails about plants and animals in the area and, in addition to native birds, there are a number of migratory species present (for you bird lovers out there 😊).
After turning off Valley View there will be a short (but steep) road leading to a gravel parking lot under an overpass (yes, I know, a rather interesting location for a trail 😊). A kiosk at the eastern edge of the parking lot marks the start of the trail (click on the link below for a map of the preserve-there is another (smaller) kiosk at the trailhead with a map as well):
https://discoverfarmersbranch.com/john-f-burke-nature-preserve/ (link to map can be found at bottom of page)
Lastly, as the area contains natural wetlands the preserve may have limited accessibility during rainy periods
Visit a local trail and enjoy scenic forest and lakeside views-get out there and ExploreMore!
*preserve is open from dawn to dusk*
