It’s scorching hot in Texas, but we are already gearing up for a Fall season full of outstanding recreation programs.
If you like to plan as we do, mark your calendars for Fall Registration:
The change of season will bring about exciting new programs and community-loved classics. Nature lovers rejoice! Our programming at the Bob Jones Nature Center has something for everyone. Athletes can sharpen their skills with brand-new athletic clinics such as Soccer Sparks and Run, Jump, and Throw- Intro to Track and Field! Let’s not forget our Fall Youth Athletics Leagues. Whether it’s a kid’s first season, or they are a seasoned pro, the fall sports leagues are sure to be a slam dunk! There are brand new STEAM programs to look forward to like iCode Tech Club, STEAM LAB, and Pokemania for the creatively curious!
It's not all about the kids, however! Our Fall recreation programming includes something for adults of all ages. If you’ve always wanted to master iconic Bollywood dance skills, then our two new Adult Bollywood Dance classes are for you! Our free Adult Outdoor Education programs at the Nature Center are on the roster again! Let’s not forget our 55 and better community. The Senior Activity Center has some world-class programs coming up in the fall that are sure to fill up fast!
This Fall season will be one for the books! Don’t miss out on your chance to register for these incredible programs. Do you want to get priority registration and a 20% discount on all programs offered at Champions Club? Join Champions Club today to snag your spot and save!
We can’t wait for another season of forming life-long memories with you! Preview our upcoming programs today.
The Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve is Southlake’s hidden gem. With over 20 miles of trails and an award-winning pre-school, there’s no better place to enjoy an early morning stroll.
The Nature Center is not only a paradise for our littlest Dragons, however. Our dedicated Nature Center Staff works hard to make the Bob Jones Nature Center an oasis the entire community can enjoy. This month’s free Adult Outdoor Education class is one you don’t want to miss!
Join local naturalist, Dr. Ray Chancellor, for a morning hike on the Preserve trails! With access to more than 700 acres of natural Cross Timbers habitat, exploring the Preserve is one of the best ways to unplug and connect with nature. Dr. Chancellor will focus on the flora and fauna found throughout the BJNCP trails. Get in a peaceful workout while learning something new at the same time!
Participants should remember to bring a water bottle, dress for the weather, and wear suitable shoes for uneven and possibly muddy terrain. Binoculars are a great way to enhance this class but are not required.
Are you ready to get your nature on? Register today!
Spring is in full swing at the Bob Jones Nature Center, and there’s nothing better than our award-winning Cross Timbers Forest Preschool!
Cross Timbers Forest Preschool is a unique early education opportunity in Southlake. The Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve is not only a fantastic home for wildlife but an immersive outdoor classroom. Inquisitive toddlers spend over 80% of their day outside learning about our local environment through hands-on exploration. Forest Preschoolers are no strangers to hikes, critters, and respecting nature, and that’s largely thanks to our world-class teachers at the Nature Center.
This semester, our fearless Forest Preschool leader is Delaney Garcia! Delaney is the new Lead Teacher at Forest Preschool, and she brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to the job.
“Delaney is incredibly kind, sweet, hardworking, and passionate. I am so grateful for her and love dreaming up program ideas together. She makes me excited about our programs because she is very invested in them. She puts her whole heart into everything she does. She is loved by staff, preschoolers, campers, and families alike!” exclaimed Nature Center Supervisor Hannah Nyquist.
Let’s get to know the Forest Preschool Lead Teacher a little better.
When did you start working for the Community Services Department?
I started working for Southlake in December of 2019 as an Athletic Recreation Attendant.
What are you most looking forward to in Forest Preschool?
I am most looking forward to teaching so many different kids about the importance of a nature preserve and all the diverse animals that call the Nature Center home.
What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I like to go to the zoo as much as I can. When I’m not at the zoo, I like to paint.
What do you wish more people knew about the Nature Center?
I wish people knew more about the history of Bob Jones Nature Center! I learn something new every day, and I encourage everyone who visits the Nature Center to read about Bob Jones.
Cross Timbers Forest Preschool meets Tuesday-Friday mornings from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Keep an eye out for upcoming summer opportunities and fall registration!
It’s no secret that the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve is one of the best places in Southlake. Those who have experienced the world-class programs offered at BJNCP know that Hannah Nyquist is the secret ingredient to the Nature Center’s programming success!
Hannah is the latest example of our incredible home-grown staff. She joined the Community Services Division as the Outdoor Experience Coordinator in June of 2019. In that role, Hannah spent most of her time at the Bob Jones Nature Center leading hikes, training staff, teaching preschool, being a camp counselor and director, and coordinating all the outdoor programs. Community-favorite events such as Forest Preschool, Nature Camp, the annual Monarch Butterfly Festival, Family Campouts, Community Hikes, and Adult Outdoor Education Classes were all coordinated by Hannah!
Hannah has accomplished major accolades since she arrived in Southlake. Her tenure as Outdoor Experience Coordinator exponentially increased enrollment numbers for Forest Preschool. They often canceled programs due to low enrollment when she first started. Now, registrations are so high they frequently have a waitlist! Hannah's enthusiasm for the environment has cultivated a staff equally as passionate about the Nature Center and its offerings. Her hard work culminated in November when she received the Excellence in Programming Award from TRAPS North Region!
Earlier this month, Hannah stepped into her new role as the Nature Center Supervisor. As such, she will be responsible for managing a growing staff and extending outdoor programing opportunities to our community.
“Hannah has done a fantastic job over the past few years building relationships and outstanding programming opportunities for Southlake in her current role as the Nature Center Coordinator. Her hard work and dedication have helped position the nature center for further growth with this new facility. She will now continue her great work as the new Nature Center Supervisor!” exclaimed Director Chris Tribble.
Nothing makes us happier than watching our world-class staff grow and develop their career. As the new Nature Center Supervisor, Hannah has big plans! Her goals include improving trail system markers and maps, adding more community-based programs, and increasing community awareness of the Nature Center!
Congratulations on your promotion, Hannah! We can’t wait to see what you’ll do next!
February is Black History Month. It’s a time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of African Americans in local communities and throughout the U.S.
If you are looking for a way to celebrate Black History Month this year, then look no further than the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve. The Southlake Historical Society’s Bob & Almeady Chisum Jones: A True Story of Resilience, Courage & Success exhibit is displayed in the nature center lobby. Discover Bob Jones, his family, and their impact on Southlake.
The exhibit does a fabulous job of detailing the life and achievements of the man whose name is on Southlake’s largest park, a road, and the city’s nature center and preserve. Learn more about the Jones family and the legacy they left in Southlake through this exhibit which recently won the American Association for State and Local History's Award of Excellence.
If you don’t have time to make it to the Nature Center this month, fret not! You can experience this exhibit virtually on the Southlake Historical Society’s website.
We hope to see you at the Nature Center!
A few weeks into the Fall Semester, Cross Timbers Forest Preschool won the Texas Recreation & Park Society North Region Excellence in Programming Award!
Cross Timbers Forest Preschool is an explorative, hands-on preschool experience focused on connecting students to nature. Hosted at the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve, the curriculum highlights our local ecosystem and includes hikes, storytime, arts and crafts, imaginative play, and discovery. Forest Preschool allows students to build knowledge of the world around them, develop confidence and self-esteem while inspiring connections with nature. With two 15-week semesters in the fall and spring, students spend more than 80% of their day outside learning through exploration. Cross Timbers Forest Preschool is a community-favorite program that maximizes 700 plus acres of preserve to instill an appreciation for nature and a sense of stewardship in our youngest community members.
Forest Preschool staff is honored to receive this award, especially after working so hard to make Forest Preschool the premier preschool experience in DFW. When we first started operations in 2019, we only held classes three days a week and had about 11 students. Since then, we have added an extra day and have increased our student roster times three! In the last three years, Forest Preschool has become a favorite community recreational program. We often see multiple generations of siblings go through Forest Preschool, and watch our kiddos move to Nature Camp after aging out of preschool. Our classes are consistently full, and the growth we witness in our students fuels us to continue making this the best preschool program around. Our curriculum is unique due to unparalleled access to nature. The skills our students gain prepare them for success in kindergarten and beyond!
“I’m so thrilled about winning this award! My staff and I work hard to make Forest Preschool a world-class program that is safe, fun, and educational. We take a tremendous amount of pride in our work and being recognized for it feels wonderful! We are honored to accept the award and can’t wait to continue growing Forest Preschool!” Hannah Nyquist, Programs Coordinator.
Congratulations to all Cross Timbers Forest Preschool staff for your world-class work! The TRAPS North Region Excellence in Programming Award (Class II) will be presented to the City of Southlake Community Services team on Friday, November 5, 2021, at the TRAPS North Region Conference in Allen.
Park and Recreation Month may officially be over, but it's never too late to celebrate the world-class programming team behind all your favorite community activities.
Let’s get to know them a little better as they share Our Parks and Recreation Story:
Hannah Nyquist, Programs Coordinator
This summer, we hosted our third Cross Timbers Nature Camp at the Bob Jones Nature Center! When I started in 2019, I spent my first day learning the ropes of camp. Two years later and Nature Camp has grown in so many ways. We have a steady following of return campers that we have seen grow over the years and got to know dozens of families. This summer, I was thrilled to have a team of experienced counselors- including our beloved Camp Director, Madeleine Mott. We expanded Nature Camp from a concept to a family, and I am incredibly proud to be a part of that. Together we were able to serve over 200 campers!
Hiking to Grapevine Lake, having weekly presenters teach our campers, and watching staff blossom into remarkable counselors are some of my favorite memories this summer. We also have the pleasure and responsibility to share the importance of stewardship with our campers, along with the Jones Family's remarkable story.
This summer, we added Forest Preschool classes outside of our fall and spring semesters. I served as Lead Teacher for these classes and taught alongside our incredibly gifted and passionate preschool teachers. Our Friday Forest Preschool days meant hours playing outside, hiking, and exploring with almost 100 preschoolers. We focused on different animals who live at BJNCP, the word “habitat,” and how important it is to respect nature.
Gretchen Morgan, Programs Coordinator
I started as a counselor in 2019. Summer Camp Mania changed my life for the greater good in various ways. I learned to be a listener, role model, creator, achiever, and leader. I got to enhance my skills through special events and programs. In 2020, I applied to become a full-time employee. This year, I received the full-time position of Programs Coordinator. I could not be prouder and more honored to step into this role for the City of Southlake.
This summer, Camp Mania was located at Durham Intermediate School. Games, crafts, and activities filled each day. Some days guests would come to share their talents with our campers. These guests were from the City of Southlake Fire Department, Airbrush Tattoos, Kona Ice, and Martial Arts. On Thursdays, we would explore Bicentennial Park and swim in our Aquatics Center at The Marq. We take each moment we have with each camper to impact them positively.
We also manage our Club Metro program located at Legend’s Hall. Club Metro is an adaptive recreation program that welcomes adults with special needs. These participants come twice a week to socialize, eat, and have fun. Some activities we do are scavenger hunts, basketball tournaments, and crafts. We also meet once a month every Saturday for Sports Saturday. This program gives the participants a chance to learn volleyball, basketball, dodgeball while moving their bodies and learning new skills.
Overall, our programs create a place to learn about a sport, play a game, and socialize. They also provide a safe and fun environment for participants to learn, grow, and become their amazing selves.
Madeleine Mott, Camp Director
I love when people ask me what I do for a living because I get to answer in so many unexpected and fun ways. For example, I hike for a living, am a mad scientist, am an entomologist. I mass-produce future tree huggers, make a lasting difference in children's lives, and am a snake charmer. I play games all day, am a medic, a forest preschool teacher, a butterfly whisperer. I am an edible plants taster, a steward, an artist. I am a nature camp director.
Working at the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve, I have the opportunity to wear so many different hats. I love our programs, their participants, and the enthusiastic individuals I get to work with every day. I enjoy how working for the Programs Division allows me to explore this beautiful preserve and teach future generations how to love and take care of it and its inhabitants. At the BJNCP, I truly live out the “Life is Good” motto. "Do what you like, like what you do.”
Emma Blight, Camp Director
The Programs Division creates a space for people of all ages to learn, grow, and connect with our staff and other participants. While working in our programs, I have built relationships and made memories that will last a long time. From programs such as Camp Mania, Club Metro, to Breakfast with Santa, one of my favorite things we do is provide hands-on experiences for everyone involved. Whether that is playing against the Southlake DPS in a game of dodgeball at Camp Mania, or getting to play with a baby kangaroo at Club Metro, the experiences we provide are truly exciting.
Courtney Duplechin, Programs Supervisor
This team never ceases to amaze me. I am so proud of each person who has contributed to the success of the Programs Team! My favorite part of Programs is that each team member is so incredibly passionate about what we do. Whether they are playing games with kids or planning the next big event, this talented team thinks through every detail and how it connects people to nature, friends, family, new hobbies, the community, creativity, and more! Everyone is willing to go the extra mile to give our participants a special moment to remember.
I started working for Southlake Parks and Recreation in 2015 as a Camp Mania counselor. A favorite part of my job is seeing kids who were once campers or volunteers in my group grow up to volunteer or work for the Programs team. It is so special, even though it confirms I'm getting old, to know that we are making an impact in a child's life and that years later, they want to join the team to do the same for others.
We love what we do, give our all to providing exciting and educational programs, and care deeply for the people we serve.
Thank you to the Programs Team for being so committed to creating life-long memories for the Southlake community!
Embrace the change of season and recharge your fitness goals with the Outdoor Fitness Spring Series!
Champions Club is all about bringing the best fitness to the Southlake community, and the Outdoor Fitness Spring Series is no exception. Back by popular demand, the Outdoor Fitness Series is open to all community members for free. Registration is not required! Change up your fitness routine while enjoying time in our beautiful parks!
April 19 at 6:00 pm
Start your Monday off on the right foot with High Fitness at the Aria Amphitheater. This hardcore class focuses on interval training through popular music and accessible choreography.
April 28 at 6:00 pm
Join us at Outdoor Turf 2 in Bicentennial Park for Rise ‘N’ Grind! Bring your A-game and prepare to mix strength training with cardio for a workout that is sure to burn some major calories.
May 3 at 6:00 pm
Train like a champion through high-intensity interval training during Strength HIIT at the Outdoor Turf 2 in Bicentennial Park. Push yourself to the limit with this fun yet challenging workout.
May 8 at 9:00 am
Start the weekend off right with a relaxing yoga class at Bob Jones Nature Center! Connect with your soul and nature as you stretch and practice breathing.
May 12 at 6:00 pm
Get ready to dance to the beat at the Aria Amphitheater with Zumba! Explore Latin rhythms and moves as your get your heart rate up with this party-like exercise.
May 15 at 9 am
End the series with a mindful session of Yoga at North Park. Take a moment to be grateful for the chance to exercise outdoors.
Whether you are a Champions Club member or not, there is an outdoor class for you! Don’t miss your chance to find your new workout frenzy and win a door prize at the end of each class! You will be entered into a random drawing at every session. There is also a grand prize for two lucky winners at the end of the series. Those who attend four or more classes could win either a 5-pack of Personal Training sessions or a 3-pack with our Registered Dietician. Drawing winners will be announced on May 17.
See you at the parks!
While you’re out for your hike, incorporating an activity during your journey can add some fun to getting some exercise.
Here are three engaging, educational and fun activities include in your hike:
For more information about hiking and all things mobility in Southlake, visit ConnectSouthlake.com, the Southlake Mobility Facebook page or sign up for the mobility e-newsletter.
What better way to enjoy the great outdoors than to go for a hike at the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve.
It's a great place for nature lovers to unplug and take in the environment while getting in a good work out.
The park has three different trails, the Walnut Grove National Recreation Trail, the Bluebird Trail and the Grapevine Lake Trail which can be accessed from the Bluebird Trail.
Are you a first-time hiker? No worries! BJNCP offers fun programs, activities and classes for those who would like to learn more.
On November 14, BJNCP is offering a class for young hikers as part of the Bowmen Day Hike Series. This introductory course will cover eco-responsible hiking traditions such as “leave no trace,” trail etiquette, safety measures and other important outdoor skills.
If you prefer to hike solo or consider yourself an expert, the Bluebird Trail is great place to start. The trail features interpretive and interactive signage with information about birds and other local wildlife so you can have fun and learn something new while you’re getting in your steps. So, grab a bottle of water, strap up your boots and head out to BJNCP for a hike!
A downloadable trail map can be found on our website.
For more information about programs and courses at the BJNCP, visit www.ExperienceSouthlake.com.
