Blue Heron Park Preserve
The extensive wetlands in the park are part of the Blue Belt, an area of Staten Island which utilizes existing and improved undeveloped areas for storm water drainage. There are six ponds located within the park including the 1.75-acre (7,100 m) Spring Pond and the 1.4-acre (5,700 m) Blue Heron Pond
The park provides habitat to various species of birds including the Blue heron (Ardea herodias) for which it was named as well as various species of mammals such as bats, raccoons, grey squirrels and chipmunks.
The visitors center for the park located off Poillon Ave, is the starting point for three trails which traverse different areas of the park.
Flora
American Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), Tulip tree (liriodendron tulipifera), Red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) and Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) white water lilies (Nymphaea odorata).
Fauna
Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), wood duck (Aix sponsa), osprey (Pandion haliaetus), black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer), tree frogs (Hylidae), raccoon (Procyon lotor)
References
- ^ "Blue Heron Park". New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.
External links
- Blue Heron Park - official site
- Friends of Blue Heron Park - operates the Blue Heron Park Nature Center