John F. Burke Nature Preserve — Attraction in Farmers Branch

It's not a bad place but keep in mind some of this area is prone to flooding when rains are heavy, and the entrance is a steep hill thay can be a pain. Ther3 can and will be wild animals. And depending on the time of day or night those animals can vary..so keep that in mind durring early or later hours for aniamls such as bobcats, coyotes and hogs even at times. Them last 2 are the ones to be sort of weary for. That are wild animals. not a bad place to bird watch...and as many have said highway noise can be a bit of a pain. But get a litte bit away from the highway and put some trees in between you and the road and the noise should dull down some or mostly..not a too bad place to maybe access the trinity river by foot and do some sight seeing some. And to those, such as val hicks, who say it's sketchy cause someone who is homeless decides to hunker down in an area like this, that's rude and disrespectful to call someone sketchy for tryin to SURVIVE. One can say you or anyone else homeless or not can be sketchy...so watch your karma. One may have chosen to hunker in that area cause its SAFER, and then to dehumanize one for that choice is wrong. The struggle is real people, remember we all make up this thing called humanity, so don't be the one to take that dignity from an individual...if anything try to reach out and be interactive and helpful if one can. Be friendly. It will make a big difference....and for anyone who is dealing with the struggles as a tip pack in pack out if one has to make that kind of choice. Pick a spot further pffbthe regular path have some common courtesy to not be a eye sore. I have been in the struggle before and it still is a struggle, but we are all humans let's not drop below that.

And Google should have a dislike button for review comments as well...it's not really a accurate system to allow likes but no dislikes to the a review...just a thought google.... Now algorithms activate..lol...stay...

I've probably driven over this area numerous times, as it's just beneath a highway, crossing over the 'Elm Fork' branch of the Trinity river system, where you can spot alligator gar (a fish that can resemble alligator and grow to be as big.) This is a very similar--small--trail to the Elm Fork Nature Preserve which is adjacent to baseball fields, only this area seems a bit more wet and difficult to walk across without getting muddy if it has rained recently, so parts of the trail system are flooded, during these times.

I also spotted what looked like some kind of hooved foot prints, though I don't believe any hogs were in this area, at least they are more common south of here. What are shown on the signs are beaver that are in the pond and river system which I didn't see, and I suspect are nutria (very similar to beaver) have been spotted in places like the Carrollton public library; the one next to a retirement community on Josey, not the one off Hebron pkwy,) which I have photographed devouring the cattail plants. The red tail hawk shows up here and I saw it at the Elm Fork Nature Preserve. Both areas are great, though this one is great, if not a bit obscure with the steep drive down (and I just happened across the sign and was looking for a place to start photographing.)

One thing to mention is you can walk the entire trail and not encounter anyone. It also helps to download a Google Lens app whenever you spot anything interesting. If you are closer to downtown Dallas, Joppa Preserve is a great place to go to, and it's far more accessible and has a park atmosphere with cement walking paths. The Google directions seemed to point towards an entrance way further down from the actual entrance, so it might be easy to overlook. . . I just edited the google maps location to the correct address, of 1199...

This nature preserve contains a small wetlands and wilderness area nestled between freeway overpasses. It's interesting to experience a small preserve nestled so close to urban space. It's surprisingly peaceful and secluded, although the rush of traffic is very clearly heard throughout the preserve. The well groomed pathways are deceivingly short because the preserve feels a lot bigger than it actually is. The wetlands are host to a variety of easily found animals like songbirds, butterflies, frogs, and turtles. I didn't see any mammals but I'm sure they're in there somewhere. It seems like a fantastic place to bring young kids to do some early development exploring. They are boardwalks and picnic tables and plenty of shade. Restrooms can be found at the entrance and there is a small parking lot under the overpass. There is no fee to enter...