Tucked away behind a 2004-built primary school and tree-lined neighborhood streets in north Oak Cliff, a more-than-100-year-old south Dallas community, Twelve Hills Nature Center is home to acres of wildflowers and native plants, dozens of bird and butterfly species, and trails with exceptional learning opportunities. The notion of such a valuable, naturalistic tool for education and recreation in this setting seemed unfathomable a decade ago. When the land that previously housed rundown apartments was finally demolished by the city in 1992, this area was more urban blight than anything resembling an urban prairie.

A welcoming space greets visitors upon entry past stone walls; carefully placed boulders and seat walls afford convenient seating in this space often used by nearby school groups.

Neighborhood Groups Sought To Restore the Prairie

Now complete and an undeniable community asset, Twelve Hills speaks to the great efficacy of dedicated grassroots efforts. The idea for this inner-city environmental educational and recreational facility grew from a 2000 townhall meeting concerned with the future use of the re-naturalized 20-acre site, which had been seized for nonpayment of taxes. Neighborhood groups sought to restore the land to its native state as a prime example of Texas blackland prairie. Ultimately, 10 acres were used to build a second campus for Rosemont Primary School, Twelve Hills Nature Center bought more than five acres and a private developer purchased the remainder for upscale residences.

By 2002, neighbors were facilitating cleanup events, arranging nature walks and obtaining 501(c) 3 status for an organization that could negotiate for the land.

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