The Frankford Prairie, the “Miracle” Prairie

Saturday, April 14, 10:00AM – 11:00AM

Frankford Prairie, 17400 Murifield Dr. Dallas

This will be a tour with Rich Jaynes of a wonderful native prairie that was discovered a few years ago when a century-plus historic church and was undergoing renovation.  The prairie forms a third facet of this site with a historic cemetery and chapel that were part of the Frankford settlement in the mid-late 1800s.  After suspicions were raised that a 2.5-acre area on the cemetery property may harbor remnant prairie species, annual mowing of the area (that at the time looked like a soccer field) stopped to see what would happen.  The miracle was the explosion of wildflowers and tall grasses that spontaneously appeared the next growing seasons, beginning with a blanket of the lavender wild hyacinths.  This small remnant has at least 200 species, many of which are indicators of pristine Blackland Prairie, and which are difficult to establish.  Since its discovery, the prairie has been left alone to develop, with the exception of battling the most pernicious invasives that keep trying to move in.

To learn more about the Frankford Prairie, please visit The Frankford Preservation Foundation website.  http://frankfordpreservationfoundation.org/

wbw 3/10/18