Volunteers pitch in to restore native prairie at Oakmont Park

A group of Park & Recreation Department (PARD) volunteers recently donned their work clothes and braved the heat to help restore a parcel of Fort Worth’s native prairie.

Armed with loppers, gloves and elbow grease, the group arrived at Oakmont Park in southwest Fort Worth on two Saturdays — May 2 and June 13 — to help thin trees and other invasive species in a remnant prairie overlooking the Clear Fork of the Trinity River. Their efforts helped clear the overgrowth and “daylight” the ground to encourage native prairie species to thrive.

“Fort Worth Prairie is a unique ecosystem that hosts many endemic species (found nowhere else in the world), said Michelle Villafranca, park operations and nature resource planner. “Oakmont Park protects a sliver of this disappearing ecosystem, and we are working to improve the prairie that remains.”

PARD is teaming up with Constellation Energy, the Native Plant Society of Texas and Native Prairies Association of Texas on this joint effort to remediate the 18-acre prairie.

Since May, 10 dedicated volunteers have contributed 33 hours of labor to restore the park’s hilltop pocket prairie.

“The Park & Recreation Department is very excited to work with partners and community volunteers to restore this beautiful hilltop prairie,” Villafranca said.

Interested in lending a hand? Sign up to participate in the next volunteer workday.

About Oakmont Park

Dedicated in 1981, Oakmont Park spans 127 acres and is a gorgeous example of a lovingly conserved naturescape that all residents can enjoy. The unique ecosystem is home to native species like pale yucca, star milkvine, prairie Brazoria and more.

Photo at top: Workers clear the overgrowth and “daylight” the ground to encourage native prairie species to thrive.

Photo: Community volunteers restore the beautiful hilltop prairie at Oakmont Park.

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