Get to know your parks
JOHNSON NATURE PRESERVE:
Montgomery's best kept secret
Johnson Nature Preserve is one of the least known, but most unique in the Montgomery park system. Encompassing seven acres of natural woodlands, it is located at 10840 Deerfield Road, just east of I-71. Unlike the other parks, the Preserve has very few man-made amenities, with the focus being on enjoying the scenic and natural aspects of the area.
The preserve was originally part of a 25-acre farm owned by the Stewart family, who sold the land to Dr. and Mrs. Frank L. Johnson. Dr. Johnson donated the land to the city in 1974 for “use as a nature preserve to be enjoyed by its citizens.” In 1988, the trail system was developed by two local teens working on their Eagle Scout service projects. The current preserve consists of a gravel walking trail that winds through woods and marsh, following the natural flow of the creeks. There are also benches stationed along the trail. Many different types of wildflowers and plants bring variety to the landscape, as well as diverse color during the spring and fall.
On April 9, 1999, the tornado that passed through northern Montgomery also caused extensive damage to the Nature Preserve. Most of its mature trees were destroyed, drastically altering the landscape. At the time, the City decided to allow the Preserve to recover naturally, and avoided bringing in large logging equipment that might further damage the fragile ecosystem. The recovery of the Preserve has been documented in two photographic tours, one dated from 2001 and the other from 2006, showing the changes that have occurred during this natural reforestation. Both tours can be accessed through the city’s website.
In addition to improvements planned as part of the memorial project at the Preserve, expansion of the current trail system has been proposed.