Greener Parks

Tree City USA

The city of Grand Prairie has received the Tree City USA designation for 25 years. To qualify for Tree City USA, a town or city must meet four standards established by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters, which ensures that every qualifying community has a viable tree management plan and program. Grand Prairie is the second oldest Tree City USA in the State of Texas, and we are proud of this designation. In addition, we have received the coveted Growth Award for nine of the 25 years.

Let’s Get Growing on GPTV

Susan Henson, City Horticulturist, hosts a television program that airs on GPTV cable channel 16 that features information on environmental and water conservation, organic gardening alternatives and use of native and adaptive plant material. The show also features "how to" segments that teach the average person how to repot or transplant seedling and cuttings to reduce landscape costs. The program shows sites throughout the city that are examples of native and adaptive landscapes at public buildings and yards or individual landscapes that have received a yard of the month designation. To view episodes, go to www.gptx.org/gptv

Horticulture Classes

Learn the basics and not-so-basics of gardening during a free educational series with classes such as Spring into Gardening, Let's Talk Dirt, Landscape Pop Guns, Blueprint for Landscape Success, Smartie Plants and Container Gardening. The classes are hosted at Charley Taylor Recreation Center, 601 Grand Prairie Road. Classes are held in the spring and fall, and graduates can become part of the Grand Gardeners group that is trained to give back to the community through public gardening. Classes are fun, informative and always culminate in a plant exchange. The plant exchange can help save you money and time by utilizing material that is grown in our area and information provided by the Gardener that knows how to grow in our soils. Visit our Community Garden Program page for more gardening recourses.

Urban Forestry Grand Prairie

Grand Prairie is proud of its Urban Forestry Program! While there is no forestry crew, the Horticulturist is also a Certified Arborist and sits on several urban forestry boards and commissions. Recently with urban forestry grants, the 2nd largest tree inventory in North Texas was completed. This information is valuable not only to reveal the value of our public trees but also the environmental benefits. Most people do not realize that trees can raise the value of your home by 10 percent or more. Tree benefits are endless. Click here to find out how trees can help you save money and increase property values.