Protection of wildlife is a top goal of the Winooski Valley Park District. Most of the parks were originally acquired because they provided good habitat for wildlife, despite being right next to buildings and other development in a city or town.

Whenever you are near water at one of the parks, look for signs of beaver chew and otter slides. Along the Winooski River corridor, great blue heron and kingfisher are a common sight. During the heat of summer, you can't miss the leopard frogs at Delta Park and in parts of the floodplain of the Ethan Allen Homestead and the Macrae Farm.

Winter is a good time to find tracks in the snow of red fox, deer, otter and mink at the parks.
Remember to always backtrack - the wildlife found at the parks need their privacy if they are to peacefully coexist with people and pets that visit.

During the last several years, dozens of "citizen scientists" trained by Keeping Track® have been monitoring signs and tracks of wildlife at the parks for us. This information helps to identify sensitive habitat and guides us in the placement of trails and facilities. If you would like to join this effort, please let us know. Recent sightings at several parks include bobcat, moose, mink, otter and fisher.

Throughout the 16 natural areas you will find a variety of landscapes. If a pastoral setting is what you are seeking, hike the trails near the hay fields of the Ethan Allen Homestead, Colchester Pond Natural Area and Macrae Farm. To spot spring wildflowers such as trillium, bloodroot, jack-in-the-pulpit, trout lily, and hepatica, try Winooski Nature Trail and Old Mill Park. WVPD's "Guide to Common Spring Wildflowers" is availabe in brochure boxes at many parks. If you wish to walk below the towering overstory of cotton woods and quaking aspens in a mature floodplain forest, try Woodside and Muddy Brook Parks. For a close look at duck weed, skunk cabbage, marsh marigold and other wetlands plants, take a walk on the two elevated boardwalks at the Ethan Allen Homestead.

Here are some of the understory plants you might find at Colchester Pond Natural Area-
Wild ginger, hepatica, gold thread, barberry, spirea, blackberry, raspberry, golden rod, wild strawberry and helleborin.

Remember, please don't pick the plants. They are there for us all to enjoy.

Reptiles (turtles and snakes) and amphibians (frogs, toads and salamanders) are an important group of wildlife that are often overlooked. We have completed an inventory of these species in our parks and have learnd much in the process. WVPD's "Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians" is available in brochure boxes at many parks.

Nature at the Parks - Take only pictures. Leave only footprints.