Walk the Prairie Loop at Richardson Nature Center

Begin your hike behind the Visitor's Center and follow the path to the left towards the Prairie Loop Trail. The path quickly breaks out of the woods into an open prairie, looping through the tall grasses and burr oaks. The pond with its boardwalk is a great place to see Canada Geese, Tundra Swans, and different ducks - ask at the visitor's center and they may give you seeds to feed the birds. The forested perimeter and tall grasses give the impression of remoteness, despite the park's location in the middle of a busy suburb. And don't forget to stop at the Bee Tree! This solitary oak hosts a hive in its hollow trunk and is very picturesque.

When you get back to the trailhead, make sure to stop in to the Visitor's Center. There are a ton of great activities for kids including live snakes, turtles, and other animals, a play place, and a flock of turkeys that hang out in the back. This is also the place to rent snowshoes if you visit in the winter.