Enjoy a Walk in the Veasey Field

The trails at Veasey Park provide an important dimension and critical outdoor element. The park is fairly evenly divided between woodlands that wrap along Johnson’s Pond and the large field that covers the east-facing slope of Nun’s Hill. A visitor to the Park can experience both habitats by taking a walk on the trails that access both areas. This season, visitors will discover that a walk through the field can take a bit longer. Until this spring, there was only a single trail through the field. This trail ascends Nun’s Hill and approximately divides the field in half. Since this was such a popular trail, it was decided to add additional trails in the field.

With the help of the Groveland Highway Department and the mowing crew of Mike and Ed, there are now four distinct and interconnected field trails. To maintain the field it is necessary to mow it once in the autumn to prevent it from being overtaken by shrubs and trees; whereas the field trails need to be mowed more frequently, about once every one to two weeks.

Visitors to the Park now have a great opportunity to wander throughout the entire field and observe a variety of wildlife, including birds, butterflies, dragon and damsel flies and a multitude of other intriguing insects as well as many wildflowers. Staying on the trail is strongly advised as poison ivy is an abundant plant in the field. Don’t disparage too much about this ivy, as it is a native species and a food source for much wildlife.

So take this opportunity to enjoy and explore the field as the weather has warmed and summer has arrived. From the top of the field, there are excellent views toward the east and south. An especially pleasant time of day to stroll through the field is in the early evening as the sun settles into the horizon. Hopefully, with the support of an evening breeze, you will find the mosquitoes scarce but not the other natural sights of the field. If the sun has set, you may catch the flash of some fireflies, more specifically the Pennsylvania firefly (Photuris pennsylvanicus).

Richard Lombard … June/July 2010

(Photos courtesy of Dave Blackwell)