Pratt Nature Preserve at Hickory Creek

Pratt Nature Preserve at Hickory Creek Pratt Nature Preserve is a small parcel (8-9 acres) of land owned by the Town of Hickory Creek and located within Sycamore Bend Park.

The Town leadership has committed to protecting it from development and providing a place to enjoy the natural world. Previously a private residence by Lewisville Lake, the Town of Hickory Creek purchased the land in 2014 and is protecting and enhancing this naturally occurring post oak savannah and prairie restoration area in the endangered Eastern Cross Timbers ecoregion of Texas. Pratt is known

for its abundance of little bluestem. Milkweed grows in the wild, and a variety of native grasses can be found here, including sideoats grama. Development of the Preserve was postponed until completion of the widening project for the Sycamore Bend Road, which leads into the park where the Preserve is located. This was completed in April 2023. While the Preserve is still not accessible to the general public, planning now is underway to open up for a number of educational and recreational activities. Native plants found here include zizotes, viridis, whorled and tuberosa varieties of milkweed, coral berry, gayfeather, late blooming boneset, western horsenettle, buffalo grass, sedges, silver bluestem, white tridens, purpletop tridens, (lots of) little bluestem, big bluestem, side oats grama, post oaks and some smaller cedars. Mammals include deer, armadillos, raccoons, rabbits, coyote and bobcats. Birds include vultures, kingfishers, robins, scissortails, pine siskins, titmice, great horned owls, painted buntings and great blue herons. The Preserve covers approximately nine acres, and benefits from being surrounded on three sides by Corps property. Visit https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/pratt-nature-preserve-at-hickory-creek for documentation of these species as well as an amazing variety of insects.

03/31/2026
01/08/2026

There's SO much going on in Hickory Creek!! Our Amphitheater had its Grand Opening during the Christmas Tree Lighting celebration. We're about to open a new dog park. The town has been working so hard on the recreational area across from the town hall. It's going to be wonderful.

So - the observatory - lots of excitement about that, too. It's going to happen. Lots of careful consideration and planning go into something like this. We want to do it right, but at the same time, there is so much more we're working on.

The very best thing about Pratt is that it's protected from development. It will never be a "city" park. It's a nature park, and always will be. The wild critters are enjoying it right now. There's food, water, and places for them to hide. They can burrow and build their nests and raise their young without fear of interference by humans. There is incredible diversity in all kinds of life there. And eventually we'll be able to share it with the town. In the meantime, it's already what it's supposed to be - preserved..

Send a message to learn more

It's getting there!  Slowly, but the best things take more time.  Observatory is under construction.  We are not yet ope...
03/22/2025

It's getting there! Slowly, but the best things take more time. Observatory is under construction. We are not yet open to the public, but will pass on that information when it is available.

View from the new mezzanine.
11/23/2024

View from the new mezzanine.

This is very close to the Pratt Nature Preserve.  Given the amount of Corps land in the area, it's quite likely that our...
11/08/2024

This is very close to the Pratt Nature Preserve. Given the amount of Corps land in the area, it's quite likely that our new friend will be checking out the neighborhood. Be curious, but be careful!!!

The Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife confirmed and is investigating the rare sightings.

We share a name with a very important business.  Who knew??
10/09/2024

We share a name with a very important business. Who knew??

Improve sustainability and maximize landfill diversion with Pratt Recycling. We collect recyclable materials as we deliver new packaging to our customers.

Address

1350 Sycamore Bend Road
Hickory Creek, TX
75065

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Pratt Nature Preserve at Hickory Creek posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Pratt Nature Preserve at Hickory Creek:

Share