Trashed up Hiking Trails in Texas

The tower in Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, Plano, one of my favorite places to hike, bicycle, or simply walk amidst nature. I haven't visited this nature preserve in quite sometime... perhaps 6 months or so. Last time I was there I noticed tons of trash around the creek and the hiking trails. I thought I'd post these pictures on my blog to make people aware how much trash is being mindlessly discarded in public spaces. If this trend continues there will be no pristine natural place where one could spend a quiet moment. I wish people would be more careful about the way they discard their trash. There are enough trash cans and recycle bins in the nature preserve, one just needs to have some patience to carry the coke cans, plastic wrappers, and other trash to them.
The picture below is how the nature preserve looks during a fall sunset. Let us ensure that it is kept this way and not full of plastic and other trash that is seen in the pictures above. If you have any feedback or opinions on this do let me know!!!

New sights in Arbor Hills

Last week we had been to Arbor Hills Nature preserve, this is probably the dozenth time we are visiting. But I am not bored of the place, every visit presents new sights, offers new experiences and the park unveils new facets. This time the effect of spring was shown to me in full glory. Everything that was brown, grey and appeared lifeless was green, healthy and full of life now. Numerous bushes and plants had sprouted buds and flowers sporting bright hues.

Massive tract of earth caved in along the creek due to the recent thunder storm

Of course last week's hurricane damage was also obvious for everyone to see. Several trees had been broken by the wind like little twigs. Soil erosion around the creek was vast and it appeared as if the earth had caved in completely. As I walked round the lake, it was obvious that water level had risen by almost one ft. Taking a few pictures we walked towrads the tower.

There were loads of people out there. Apparently the local Boy Scouts had scheduled their graduation ceremony in the tower area. We decided to stay back and watch the ceremony. As it became dark the ceremony started with drum beats and several older boys dressed like native Americans. I was surprised to note that, the Boy Scout movement was started in London and this chapter/ branch is in Texas, US. They have no connection with American Indians, except for the fact that the original Europeans who moved to America fought and killed the native Americans. I wonder why this Boy Scout group dressed up like them and narrated stories related to American Indians and also called themselves a tribe.

People assembled for the Boy Scout Ceremony

Anyway I found all this a farce, because there was not even one American Indian in the entire group of people assembled there. Yet these people were trying to enact an American Indian scene and relate it to the Boy scout movement. I find it so artificial and gross. Anyway it is their customs and traditions, these are only my opinions. Here are some pictures shot in the dark, not very clear, I will try to edit these pictures and post them soon.

Pictures of the Boy Scout Ceremony

Hiking in Arbor Hills

Yesterday we went to Arbor Hills Nature Preserve for a walk. A welcome change after being cooped up indoors through the weekend. The Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is located close to our home... maybe about 2-3 miles. It is a 200-acre open area with concrete walking/ hiking trails and off road mountain bike and hiking trails. The Preserve offers a close-to-nature experience with an abundance of serenity and an escape from the chaos of urban sprawl. Arbor hills hosts several species of plants, trees and animals and with several brooks and creeks flowing through the preserve it is an ideal place to spend a quiet afternoon amidst nature. Speaking about fauna Arbor Hills supports a variety of rats, birds, bats, Rabbits and fish in the creeks. A pond at one extreme of the preserve serves to stock up fish.

There are over 2 miles of concrete trails, unpaved hiking paths and a bike trail. One can spend the whole day hiking, walking and visiting the various spots of the nature preserve. This is just not for hikers and adventurers, for families with children there is a Playground, Paved recreational trail (approx. 4.4 miles), Natural unpaved trails for pedestrians, designated off-road cycling trail (approx. 2 miles), a natural biofilter for cleaning surface run-off from the parking lot before it reenters the ground water tables and an observation tower which offers some fantstic sunset views.

Yesterday was my third visit to the Nature Preserve and this time I had remembered to carry the camera to take some pictures. And yesterday we explored the most in the park, we went to almost every nook and corner of the preserve crossing creeks, walking over rickety wooden bridges, along off road trails, along the railway tracks which forms one border of the preserve, along the fish-filled creek etc. A truly invigorating experiece.

One peculiarity I noticed in the park is the totally brown and leafless trees contiguous to lush green ones. The former has shed leaves due to fall and the latter continues to be green and unaffected by the fall. There are trees which don't have any leaves but are full of colourful fruits, red, yellow, brown, green etc, so the tree in effect looks red and attractive. Felt good watching these and capturing these unique sights in the camera.

Arbor Hills Nature Preserve Pictures


Click here for a map of Arbor Hills