Little Park That Could

Parks are a lot like people. They come in many shapes and sizes. Most importantly, it is what is on the inside that really counts. If you want razzle, dazzle and grandeur, Yellowstone National Park might be your destination. If you want to picnic while the kids enjoy playground equipment, maybe your neighborhood park is the place to be. If meandering hiking trails are more to your liking, state parks often fit the bill.

I recently visited a small and unassuming county park a few miles northeast of our fair city. It is a narrow slice of land along Slip Up Creek. The land was donated to the county by a man named Lyle Bucher. Mr. Bucher inherited the land from his family's estate and chose to give his portion to the county so it could serve as a reflection of the prairie that would have been historically present on the site. I never met Mr. Bucher but I have a great deal of respect for someone who gave away a piece of property that could have been turned into a lucrative housing development.

Sadly, the little pond in the park was completely dried up due to our ongoing drought. The well-positioned quartzite rocks are ready to go for pond viewing when the creek and pond are filled again. I took advantage of the natural chairs which are perfect for contemplative moments, albeit a bit unyielding.

There is a gentle walking trail in the park. The pathway is easy to navigate as it winds through natural prairie grasses and clumps of trees. My feet were grateful for the soft earth as compared to crunchy gravel or unforgiving sidewalks. I took comfort in the fact that an old lady tumble would find a soft landing.

Nothing transports me back to my farm kid days quicker than a milkweed plant. It is also a fan favorite of Monarch butterflies. The plant was once easily seen along every ditch in the prairie countryside. Due to a variety of reasons, the milkweed is now far less abundant. The park definitely provides a diversity of native plants to enjoy.

The walking path has a couple of bridges across the creek. I am sure they are most welcome when the water is running. Everything was as dry as a cork for me but I enjoyed being a Billy Goats Gruff as I clip-clopped over the wooden structures.

The trail winds around a clump of shady trees. Handsome Northern Flickers made their presence known with loud yek-yek-yeks. Not to be outdone, bossy Blue Jays chimed in with their harsh jay-jay-jays. Gentle Mourning Doves fluttered around in the grass and into the trees. A sunny day with the birds on a grassy path, no complaints from me.

There are a few bird houses on the property, as well. I am not sure who the residents are but I like the idea of additional housing for our feathered friends. I was tempted to wade through the thick grass to take a peek but I did not want to disturb any unsuspecting ground critters. I can do without a dousing of eau-de-skunk.

All good parks need a place for a picnic and this little shelter is ready to go for your noshing needs. The shelter can be reserved but I suspect that is not necessary most of the time. It is a pack-in-pack-out park so no trash cans are available. No garbage means fewer raccoons.

And, not to worry, there are bathroom facilities at the park. I checked them out and they were exceptionally clean. The piece de resistance was a fresh roll of toilet paper. I like nature but I also like a few luxuries.

I did not have the park completely to myself. I was kept company by gazillions of these little fellows. All along the pathway my presence sent them flying through the air, clacking away when they hit the dry vegetation. There may or may not have been a few less of them by the time I completed my walk.

As I took one last glance at the park, I said a quick thank you to Mr. Bucher. I am sure the migrating birds are also grateful to him for the nice prairie accommodations available as they wend their way to destinations afar.