This rugged 540-acre park was acquired in the mid-1950s and later designated as a state nature preserve. The nature center's 7+ miles of hiking trails traverse bluff forestland, an open woodland interspersed with hill prairie openings holding uncommon prairie plant species such as bottlebrush grass, pussytoes and golden Alexander. Chipmunks, squirrels and White-tailed Deer are common inhabitants. Over 100 woodland bird species commonly use the park as migrants, winter visitors or year-round residents. The nature center's bird feeding/watering station is always busy with chickadees, titmice, Whitebreasted Nuthatches and Downy Woodpeckers, as well as warblers, vireos and other neotropical species, particularly during migrations. Please contact the nature center for a schedule of its tours and environmental education programs.
|