Parks

Traders Oak Park

Dedication

1953

Size

3.28 acres

Additional amenities

Bench
Drinking fountain
Grill
Park lighting
Playground
Shelter
Table
Trash receptacle

Fun facts

History

The Traders Oak tree, a live oak (Quercus fusiformis) stood out as a crossroads of sorts. In 1849, the military fort known as Fort Worth did not allow trading within a mile of its boundary. A pair of business men, Henry Clay Daggett and Archibald Leonard saw the need for a trading post and found this already impressive tree to set up shop. This trading post set the stage for the emerging city of Fort Worth - 'where the west begins'.

On June 16, 1953, the park board approved the proposal of the Tarrant County Historical Society to pay 50% of the cost to acquire the council oak site on North Samuels Avenue. Containing approximately two acres, this land was the site of “Traders Oak,” a large old live oak tree under which the area’s first trading post was located and served as the location for the first election and first court held in Tarrant County. The board agreed that the purchase price was not to exceed $7,500 and the title to the property was to be held by the city. A few days later, the city council agreed to the purchase. On October 6, 1953, the park board agreed to the demolition of a house that was located on the property at 1206 Samuels Avenue. On December 14, 1954, the park board approved the name “Traders Oak Park".

Recreation

The park has a playground and a pavilion with picnic tables and a grill. The main feature of the park is the historic Traders Oak tree.

Geology

This park is located on a terrace of the West Fork of the Trinity River. Terraces are created over thousands of years of the rivers flooding over its banks and depositing sand, silt, clay and gravel to create a upland as the river cuts down through the geology.

Soils

The soil that the Traders Oak grows in is of the Bastsil series. This soil consists of well-drained loamy alluvial sediments.

Ecology

Seemingly far above and away from the floodplain of the West Fork of the Trinity River, this park was once much closer to the water table. The river has cut down through the existing bedrock to create an upland. This area is very urbanized but there are still ecological surprises to be had anytime one is near a large river like the Trinity.

View animal, plant and insect species observed at Traders Oak Park and make some of your own observations through iNaturalist. See link under the "Related information" Section.

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