The Dallas Park and Recreation Department receives several calls concerning the mowing of wildflowers throughout the parks system. There are several factors that attribute to the maintenance of wildflowers this season.
Wildflower areas in parks are identified by signage that also prohibits mowing until late Spring or early Summer. These areas are seeded, maintained and monitored by Park and Recreation staff.
The signage is an identifier that designates areas that are not to be routinely mowed by internal maintenance crews or contractors. These areas are on a semi-annual mowing cycle and are assessed by management and/or the Dallas Park and Recreation Department Urban Biologist, Brett Johnson prior to mowing. Once mowed, the area is mowed on the same schedule as the surrounding areas.
This mowing is dictated primarily by the wildflower seed dropping. For summer wildflowers, this drop typically occurs well before July in this part of Texas and our mowing usually occurs before the 4thof July holiday.
“The usage by pollinators is largely driven by color. As the flowers mature, less diversity of color is seen and usage begins to decline by the pollinators”, added Brett Johnson.
Park and Recreation Department Assistant Director, Oscar Carmona and Area Manager, David Lopez at Kiest Park discussing this season’s wildflower display. The Dallas Park and Recreation Department has over 272 acres of wildflowers and natural areas throughout its parks and trails system.
For more information, contact The Park Maintenance and Operations Division headquarters at (214) 670-1923 or visit dallasparks.org
