Our lake is a bustling habitat that supports all sorts of amazing creatures. The cattails and grasses along the shores provide cozy homes for Red-winged Blackbirds, perfect perches for Common Blue Damselflies, and great hunting spots for elegant egrets. Our OCCF Floating Islands are a delightful haven for Pond Slider turtles, Mallards, and Canadian Geese, while underneath, you’ll find Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Smallmouth Bass thriving. Above the surface, lovely plants like Sweet Flag, Great Blue Lobelia, and Yellow-Eyed Grass flourish, making it a true ecosystem!
As you wander between the lake and the trees, you’ll discover various garden spaces throughout the park. These gardens are carefully designed with specific plants that provide homes for many animals and insects. Some areas of the park are left undisturbed, allowing a beautiful native and wild habitat to thrive. You might spot common rabbits, cheerful songbirds, Milkweed Tiger Moths, and Forest Tent Caterpillars hanging out in these peaceful spots. The gentle disturbance in these areas is just right for rabbits to build their nests, songbirds to raise their little ones, and caterpillars to munch on native plants, which help pollinate the wildflowers all around.
