Blue Heron Park facts for kids
Blue Heron Park is a special natural place on the South Shore of Staten Island, New York. It's like a big outdoor classroom with different natural areas. You can find open fields called meadows, small lakes called kettle ponds, fresh water streams, marshy areas, and thick forests.
The park is looked after by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. The city bought different parts of the park between 1974 and 2001. The park was officially opened on October 22, 1996.
The park has many wet areas, like marshes, which are part of the Blue Belt. This "Blue Belt" is a special system on Staten Island. It uses natural areas to help drain rainwater and prevent flooding. Blue Heron Park has six ponds, including Spring Pond and Blue Heron Pond.
Many different animals live in the park. It's named after the Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), a large bird often seen there. You might also spot bats, raccoons, grey squirrels, and chipmunks.
The park has a visitors center on Poillon Ave. This is where you can start your adventure! Three trails begin here, leading you through different parts of the park.
Plants You Can See
Blue Heron Park is home to many interesting plants and trees. Here are a few you might discover:
- American Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) - These trees have star-shaped leaves and spiky seed balls.
- Tulip tree (liriodendron tulipifera) - Look for their unique, tulip-shaped flowers in spring.
- Red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) - These pretty flowers have red and yellow petals.
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) - You'll see these bright yellow flowers with dark centers.
- Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) - This plant has a unique flower that looks like a preacher in a pulpit.
- White water lilies (Nymphaea odorata) - These beautiful flowers float on the ponds.
Animals You Might Spot
The park is a great place to see wildlife. Keep an eye out for these animals:
- Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) - A dark, shiny bird with a long, curved beak.
- Wood duck (Aix sponsa) - These ducks are known for their beautiful, colorful feathers.
- Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) - A large bird of prey that catches fish.
- Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) - A stocky heron that hunts at night.
- Spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) - Tiny frogs with a very loud, peeping call.
- Tree frogs (Hylidae) - Small frogs that often climb trees.
- Raccoon (Procyon lotor) - These clever animals are easy to spot with their masked faces.
