El Franco Lee Park

Located across from Dobie High School and near Beltway 8 you will find the El Franco Lee Park. The Park has many of the features that other parks have with soccer fields, volleyball courts and a sports complex. What makes this park unique is the very long hiking trail trail through a man made wetlands. The trail is a little over 2 miles long and is mostly paved. There are multiple parking lots that will get you to the trail. The trail circles a large pond that you can fish in if you want to. There are quite a few things to see as you walk the trail. There is a Alligator watching wood dock that goes over the water at the beginning of one of the trailheads. As you walk further you see the wetlands and forest and you will see a wooden bird blind that overlooks the pond. There is also a nearby observation tower that give you a great view of the pond and wetlands. Throughout the trail there are interpretative signs that explain wetlands life and give great information about the park itself. Its a very peaceful walk and in general you will not encounter too many people. I enjoy seeing the birds and being able to be in a forest and wetland so close to the city. You will feel at times as you are out on a hike far away. There is a long boardwalk that goes over some of the wetlands and near there a second observation tower. Along the trail you can also visit a nice butterfly garden. I have seen pretty butterflies in the garden but I’ve only visited it in the Fall and Winter so I look forward to seeing it in the Spring time. The trail is easy with no elevation changes and is in general well paved. The park is free so its a nice place to get into nature and not travel too far from the busy city of Houston!