Category: Field Trips

— by Cindy Chrisler

Eleven NPSOT-Wilco members and a guest congregated on October 26, 2025 at Berry Springs Park & Preserve, just north of Georgetown, to explore the newly opened Milkweed Trail. This trail is a three quarters of a mile loop along the outline of a 30 acre meadow and adjoining riparian habitat on the southeast side of CR 152, the road that leads to the entrance of the park. Just opened in August, the trail is accessed by taking a paved trail from the donkey compound down to the treeline by Berry Creek. The paved trail now extends under the bridge where CR 152 crosses Berry Creek, and leads to the mulched/mowed meadow trail. 

Thanks to a lucky cool front, the afternoon hike was pleasant as most of the trail was shaded. On the way to the creek/bridge undercross we encountered woody species such as Box Elder, Black Willow, mature (cultivated) and young (naturally germinated) Pecan trees, Bur and Live Oaks, Bois d’Arc, and the ever present and persistent Poison Ivy. Most shrubs and herbs were long past the flowering stage but could still be identified, including Rosinweed, Bear’s Foot, Southern Dewberry, Williamson County Winecup, and White Heath Aster. 

Once on the actual trail, we visited the site where the NPSOT-Wilco Chapter planted saplings in 2018. The saplings, planted near CR 152 and across the wooded area to prevent unauthorized hiking, consisted of Texas Ash, Beautyberry, Trifoliate Sumac, Cottonwood, Mexican Plum, and Elderberry. They were protected with mesh fences and provided with deep watering via PVC pipes for several years. Further on the trail were large stands of Frostweed just past bloom, and a stand of Turk’s Cap.

The trail meanders through the tip of the park’s historic pecan grove edged with Western Soapberry, then follows the perimeter of a large meadow. The meadow was once home to Chinaberry and Honey Mesquite, which were eliminated in the early 2020s by the efforts of chapter member Charles Newsom. Now the meadow features Silver Bluestem, Liatris, several species of milkweed, Eryngo, and other wildflowers.

The scrub brush between the meadow and Berry Creek and Dry Berry Creek is composed of Possumhaw, Cedar Elms, Elbowbush, Mexican Buckeye, and other shrubs. This area is home to flying squirrels, swamp rabbits, and the occasional river otter family and beavers, as documented by Good Water Master Naturalists with trail cams. The portion of the trail alongside Dry Berry Creek was recently seeded with Antelope-horn Milkweed courtesy of the Monarch Sanctuary Project.

The group ended the hike by visiting the pollinator gardens at the park entrance and the turnaround near the campground entrance. Both sites have numerous species of nectar plants for bees and butterflies. 

The Milkweed Trail is open to the public during normal park hours and may be enjoyed year round.