Connemara Meadow

Review: Connemara Meadow is a bit different than the other places reviewed on this site. With over 3 miles of trails, you can wander along a dirt trail next to Rowlett Creek, or explore mowed paths through the 72 acre meadow. This is truly a spot to wander and experience nature. Wildflowers bloom in the spring, while birds circle above. It’s a beautiful spot to explore, whether you are jogging on the mowed pathways, walking your leashed dog, or leisurely enjoying a walk in the outdoors.

Distance: Over 3 miles of trails

Area of Town: Near Legacy and Central Expressway, on the border of Plano and Allen north of Dallas

Facilities: Portable restrooms in the upper meadow. There are a few stumps and logs in the upper meadow for sitting, but no tables or pavilions, to respect the wishes of the founder to prioritize open space

Suitable for: Walking / Jogging / Birding

Type of Trail: Mainly grassland, with a dirt trail along Rowlett Creek on the northern border

Shade: Some shade, but mainly found on the edges and by the creek. Vast majority of the property is full sun.

Where to Park: Rather than try to guide you, here’s instructions from the site itself. The spot I parked at was very limited, so please read this for the best luck

Official Site: Connemara Conservancy

Nearby Trails: Spring Creek Forest Preserve, Herd Museum, Oak Point Preserve, Trail in the Woods

(official map from website)

At the risk of sounding like an old man, I remember coming out to Connemara Meadow when I was in high school, when there was absolutely nothing nearby. We had field trips to see the statues and other art installations that were here, and I also remember playing capture the flag at night, with only the stars to light things up. It’s a wonder we didn’t fall in the creek!

Now Connemara Meadow is surrounded on all sides by city, and provides a quiet oasis for those who visit.

History of Connemara Meadow

The site has a beautiful website, so I encourage you to click on the official link and read this in detail. I’m just going to summarize the story here.

The land that Connemara stands on today was owned by Frances Montgomery Williams, who saw the northward progression of urbanization.  Wanting to ensure that future generations had access to nature, she and her daughter established one of the first land trusts preserving these 72 acres for residents to enjoy and experience.

When to Go / What to Bring

Spring (April and May) is a great time to visit, but this is a beautiful spot year round. In the spring you can experience the wildflowers in bloom, and everything green and vibrant. But any time of year is great to see. The fall will bring all those beautiful colors to the trees surrounding the meadow, and winter has its own beauty, especially with the birds who winter here.

While there are trails, this is a grassland, so come prepared. Water is always important, especially in the warmer months. Bug spray is also a necessity, and I’d recommend long pants if you go near the taller grasses, as chiggers and other biting bugs will be biting. Poison Ivy is a concern, especially near the trees, so be aware or wear poison ivy protectant. Binoculars and a camera are also perfect if you’d like to do some bird watching while visiting.

Exploring The Meadow

The Connemara Conservancy website provides the best instructions for accessing the park.

When I went on a Monday morning, I used Google Maps which took me to an entrance with very limited parking.  Two other vehicles were there, and that was the limit.   Given the limited parking at the trailhead I went to, I’d recommend parking at Suncreek Park (see the linked page), and walking over via the concrete path.

Once I crossed over Rowlett Creek via the Iron Bridge, and through the stand of trees, I was in a large massive meadow, with tall green grasses and wildflowers surrounding me.   I entered with a jogger, but as he ran away on a mowed pathway, I was alone.

If you wander into the trees on the northern edge of the meadow, there is a dirt trail along Rowlett Creek.  This shaded trail gives you views of the sharp banks along the creek, and the trees that desperately cling to what remains of the shores.  One tree in particular had much of its roots exposed, hopefully it continues to win its battle against gravity for many years to come.

The majority of the land is open to the sun, where grasses and wildflowers grow.  There are strands of trees in the meadow, so it’s not one big open grassy spot.  There are paths mowed into the shorter grasses, surrounded by areas where restoration work is progressing.  

Wildflowers, Grasses and Wildlife

I visited in late April, prime time for wildflowers.  Everything was green and growing from the recent spring rains, and so everything was blooming and popping with color.  I didn’t see too much wildlife, aside from a few circling Mississippi Kites, but I did hear the songs of birds and frogs deep in the underbrush.  And the wildflowers really were out, as I saw pinkladies, Texas Paintbrush, desert chicory, vervains, Indian blanket, and poppymallow scattered around the meadow.

Connemara Meadow is not just a wide open space. Starting in 2012, work began to restore native grasses and wildflowers to the meadow.  Master Naturalists and other volunteers have spent hours removing invasive grasses and other plants that were taking over the meadow and replacing them with native grasses.  The ongoing restoration of native grasses at Connemara Meadow is critical because these grasses are vital for creating a resilient and thriving habitat that supports local wildlife and contributes to the overall ecological balance of the region. So as you explore the meadow, you’ll be able to see where their work has been taking place.  

Also of note, you’ll see  brush piles which provide critical protection to animals in the meadow, where they are exposed to hungry predators like hawks, owls, bobcats, or coyotes. That lets smaller birds, rabbits, and other small mammals venture out to find food and then race back to safety as a raptor descends.

Get Involved

The Connamera Conservancy relies on volunteers to do what it does. There are a lot of opportunities to support the mission of Connamera Meadow to ensure that people have access to natural spaces.

Click here for more information on the prairie restoration work, and how you can help if you’d like to support the restoration efforts. Or, you can click here for more general volunteer information.