Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Finding the trailhead:
From the intersection of I-10 and I-610 South, take I-610
South to Memorial Drive/Woodway Drive (exit 10). Turn left at Woodway Drive and
into the parking area at 4501 Woodway Dr. Parking is along the central driveway at the
visitor center. The trailhead is at the rear of the nature center. DeLorme: Texas Atlas &
Gazetteer: Page 129 K11. GPS: N29 45.904' / W95 22.127'
The Hike
After picking up a trail map, start this hike behind the nature center at the Alice Brown trailhead. This
portion of the hike is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Benches are placed strategically and are gen-
erally in the shade. Much of the hike is in the woods and well shaded. In spring and early fall, mosqui-
toes can be pesky, so be prepared.
Portions of the Alice Brown, Arrow Wood, R. A. Vines, and Inner Loop Trails will be explored. All
the trails are well marked, so it is easy to alter the hike as you go. The swamp area, reached on the R.
A. Vines Trail, teems with wildlife. The trail is named in honor of Robert A. Vines, a local ecologist
who during the 1950s advocated using a section of a Memorial Park as a nature sanctuary.
Enjoy the sounds of the swamp, including the deep “jug-o-rum” of the bullfrog, the largest frog in
North America. Red-eared slider turtles may be basking on logs and will quickly slide into the water
when they sense vibrations from walkers.
Watch for dragonflies as they hover in one spot while hunting for mosquitoes. Ribbon snakes, which
may reach 2 feet in length, like to be near the water's edge. These nonvenomous, fast-moving snakes
feast on salamanders, frogs, and insects. Nonvenomous broad-banded water snakes, often mistaken for
venomous water moccasins, swim in the water. The park staff removes any water moccasins they find
from the trails to the area around the bayou. The swamp cyrilla thrives in the wet conditions. The
shrub stays green most of the year and produces little white flowers that have a lot of nectar to attract
bees.
On the Inner Loop Trail listen for the drumming of woodpeckers. Watch for the six species of these
colorful birds found in the park, ranging from the size of a small fist to the size of a crow. There are
167 species of birds in the park.
This trail presents a good sampling of the more than one hundred species of trees and shrubs grow-
ing in the park. Oaks are common. Twelve species are represented, including evergreen, live, southern
red, and post oaks. Make a game out of trying to identify the acorns. Pass loblolly pines, dogwoods,
ashes, magnolias, and sycamores. Add another dimension to the hike by taking along your favorite
field guide.
