Embedded Files
Our self-guided nature walk is over 5 miles long with mile marker posts every 1/4 mile. For a sample walk we will begin at Route 202 and Stump Road where we enter the Weisel Preserve, a historic farm that contributed to Warrington’s agricultural character and economy for centuries and continues to produce corn and soy while accommodating passive recreation. The open space site is made up of five parcels, containing nearly 94 acres.
The signs are in the order that you will see them walking east on the trail from Stump to Mill Creek Road. You are starting at mile marker 0.
The WEAC is implementing a bluebird and cavity nesting bird program along this trail and throughout the Township. Bird boxes have been installed at specific locations along this trail and throughout the Township to increase cavity bird populations. Bluebirds and other cavity nesting birds such as tree swallows, screech owls, and kestral falcons provide many benefits to our community by eating insects and small rodents.
Pollinator Habitats are gardens that provide food, water and a safe living space for our native pollinators. This habitat has been created with different plants for a variety of pollinator species to feed on plant nectar throughout the growing season.
Pet waste contains harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites that can wash into streams, like the Neshaminy Creek. These diseases can pose a health hazard to both people and pets. Picking up after your pet controls the spread of diseases to humans and wildlife and protects Warrington’s waterways. Thank you for bagging your pet’s waste and putting it in the trash.
Continue on the trail and cross the Mill Creek Bridge and wind your way up hill to Mill Creek Road. Cross Pickertown Road and pass by the Public Works Building and Fire House, continue to the intersection of Pickertown and Lower State Road.
The trail splits here, you can turn and proceed up Lower State Road to Mill Creek Preserve and up to Bell Flower Drive or cross Lower State Road and cross Pickertown Road and continue to go down Pickertown road.
You will pass Emerson Preserve on your right side.
Continue past the main entrance to Emerson Farms (Conrad Dr.) about 500 feet and turn right onto the trail. This section of the trail meanders from Pickertown to Street Road. Once you reach Street Road please be careful, there isn't an approved road crossing.
Continue on Morning Walk Drive to just past 122 Morning Walk Drive. if you come to the intersection with Evening Walk Drive you have gone too far. Turn on to the trail. The mile marker is 2.6. This section of the trail is gravel and wooded on both sides.
The first sign you will see will be on the immediate left. A naturalized detention basin is a constructed dry pond that is designed to collect storm water runoff and uses native plant species to adsorb and filter pollutants and storm water. The benefits of naturalizing storm water basins include reduced mowing, greater recharge to groundwater, reduced pollutants entering our streams and rivers and increase in wildlife habitat.
Continue on the trail, a few hundred feet and on your left you will see the Native Plant Management Area sign. This corridor is being actively managed by the Warrington Environmental Advisory Council to promote native plants. Invasive plants are being controlled to prevent them from crowding out the native vegetation. Step off of the trail and explore.
Continue on the path, it will guide you through a small wooded area into the back side of the IPW park. Immediately on your right in the field are two fenced in areas; the first smaller area is a demonstration garden that contains all native plants. Each plant is labeled with a common and scientific name. The second larger partially-fenced area will be planted to a variety of native meadows. each meadow will be labeled.
In the center of the larger area is a purple martin house. Purple Martins- Large, dark swallow. Distinctive north of Mexico, where it is the largest swallow. Adult males are dark overall with a purplish-blue iridescence visible at close range. Females are grayer with iridescence on the crown and back, and variable splotchy patterning on the underparts. Immatures lack any purplish color and have a whiter belly. Gives a distinctive liquid gurgling call. In the eastern U.S., nests exclusively in nest boxes and martin houses; also uses natural cavities in parts of the western U.S. and Mexico. Departs breeding grounds in the late summer, locally staging in massive numbers. Winters primarily in the Amazon basin of South America. For more on Birding check out or Birding Page.
We are off of the main trail, but continue to walk across the back side of the Lacrosse Field and onto the gravel path. You are going to the large rain garden and wetland boardwalk complex. This trail loops around to the back side of the wetland, then over to the boardwalk and back to Lions Pride Park. Once you reach the Rain Garden you will see the following sign.
Rain gardens, also called bioretention facilities, are one of a variety of practices designed to increase rain runoff reabsorption by the soil. They can also be used to treat polluted stormwater runoff. Rain gardens are designed landscape sites that reduce the flow rate, total quantity, and pollutant load of runoff from impervious urban areas like roofs, driveways, walkways, parking lots, and compacted lawn areas.[1] Rain gardens rely on plants and natural or engineered soil medium to retain stormwater and increase the lag time of infiltration, while remediating and filtering pollutants carried by urban runoff.
After passing the rain garden on your left you will come to a kiosk. This kiosk displays 2 signs at a time be will be rotated with 10 additional signs. Each sign appears here:
Once you are finished reading the information in the Kiosk continue your walk and take a sharp right turn on the trail and follow it along the side of the wetland and back to the next sign.
Many of the birds we see are world travelers! They will fly around 12,000 miles to get from their summer home in the north, to their winter home in the south. Some will even fly over 22,000 miles—that's the same as going back and forth across the entire United States 8 times! Birds help spread seeds from plants, eat insects, and pollinate flowers! We do our best to protect these birds. In fact, one of the very first laws ever passed to protect wildlife was the law that protects songbirds, called the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This law says that we can't hurt these birds or keep anything that comes from them, including feathers, nests, or eggs. We also help songbirds by feeding them, building bird houses, and keeping cats indoors. Cats are one of the biggest predators to songbirds.
Birds migrate along routes, called flyways, to get to more comfortable temperatures as the seasons change. In the spring, almost 3 billion birds will migrate north to the Boreal Forest region in Canada to reproduce. In the fall, they travel south to many different places including parts of the United States, Mexico, and many countries in South America.
Continue past this sign to the end of the trail. The end of the trail is marker by a line of Love-grass. Turn around and make your way back, continue to walk towards the right, continue up the trail between the rain garden and wetland walk towards the boardwalk. Before you enter the boardwalk you will see the next sign.
Click here to see the story of the Wetland - Out Door Classroom
Walk onto the boardwalk and experience the Wetland. Walk out to the observation area, turtles are usually resting on the log in the middle. as you leave the boardwalk turn to your right and walk around the side of the lacrosse field. Lions Pride Park is on your left. On top of the hill is a purple martin house.
Purple Martins- Large, dark swallow. Distinctive north of Mexico, where it is the largest swallow. Adult males are dark overall with a purplish-blue iridescence visible at close range. Females are grayer with iridescence on the crown and back, and variable splotchy patterning on the underparts. Immatures lack any purplish color and have a whiter belly. Gives a distinctive liquid gurgling call. In the eastern U.S., nests exclusively in nest boxes and martin houses; also uses natural cavities in parts of the western U.S. and Mexico. Departs breeding grounds in the late summer, locally staging in massive numbers. Winters primarily in the Amazon basin of South America. For more on Birding check out or Birding Page.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse