The Wetland
The wetland was created in the spring of 2001 to provide more diversity of habitat for local plants and animals. It's a small, permanent pool that provides calm water habitat for aquatic plants, insects, marsh birds, reptiles, amphibians and other wildlife.
Wetlands
are permanently or seasonally waterlogged areas that provide unique and
specialized habitat for a great variety of species that can't live
anywhere else. Wetland ponds that are not accessible to fish are used as
critical breeding, rearing and adult habitat for many species,
particularly snapping turtles, garter snakes, salamanders, newts, and
frogs. Permanent pools also provide habitat for such waterfowl as
mallards, and provide food for other birds and mammals.
The
wetland was designed to permit seasonally high water from the Credit
River and Silver Creek to spill into it, as would have occurred before
the area was filled in to support a trailer park. Now, the effects of
the natural floodplain have been restored.
Native
shrubs, trees and wetland plants have been planted around the wetland,
replacing the mainly non-native grasses and weeds. A dense planting of
native trees and shrubs will provide a range of ecosystem functions and
habitat opportunities for wildlife.
Trees and shrubs along the river banks protect against erosion and enhance the water quality by trapping sediment. Overhanging branches provide shade to the creek, moderating water temperature in summer and adding organic matter to the creek, providing food for a healthy aquatic ecosystem. As the trees and shrubs mature, the wetland will come to resemble a treed swamp.
A wheelchair and stroller-accessible viewing platform lets you get safely close to the wetland in order to observe the wildlife.