Lake El Estero facts for kids
Lake El Estero is a special park in Monterey, California. It's a big park, about 25 acres, and it's a great spot for many different animals, especially birds. This lake used to be a salty lagoon connected to the bay. But over time, its connection to the bay was cut off, and it became a freshwater lake.
Today, Lake El Estero is not just beautiful; it's also a fun place for families. Kids love the baseball field, the skatepark, and the famous Dennis the Menace Playground. It's a perfect example of how nature and fun can exist together in a city!
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The History of Lake El Estero
Lake El Estero has a long and interesting past. It wasn't always the freshwater lake we see today.
From Lagoon to Freshwater Lake
When Lake El Estero was first discovered, it was a lagoon filled with slightly salty water, called brackish water. Three main streams flowed into this lagoon. One stream went south, another to where the county courthouse is now, and the third followed what is now Del Monte Boulevard to the bay.
In 1770, the first map of Lake El Estero was drawn by Miguel Costanso. He was a Spanish officer and engineer. The lagoon often flooded the surrounding areas. In 1846, Walter Colton, a chaplain for the U.S. Navy, thought of a solution. He wrote that it would be a good idea to dig a channel between the lagoon and the bay to control the water.
However, the connection to the bay was permanently cut off in April 1874. This happened when the Monterey and Salinas Valley Railroad was built. This stopped the flooding and slowly turned the lagoon into the freshwater lake we know today.
Developing the Park
From 1930 to 1931, people worked hard to turn the lake into a public park. This project was called the El Estero Development Project, led by the City of Monterey. They moved a huge amount of mud, about 80,000 cubic yards, to shape the park.
Lake El Estero has always been a popular resting place for birds flying south for the winter. In 1933, the bird refuge area was named after Harry Ashland Greene. He played a big part in developing the park.
Between 1938 and 1951, many more improvements were made. This included cleaning the lake bottom and planting new plants along the shoreline. Two new bridges were also built. These bridges helped connect downtown Monterey with the Oak Grove District.
In 1984, the lake was drained to remove about 6,000 truckloads of silt. Silt is like fine mud that can clog drains. People were also worried about bacteria and bird droppings in the mud. To prevent future problems, storm drains were changed. Now, silt and mud go into smaller ponds, making them easier to clean.
An Amazing Ecosystem
Lake El Estero is a lively ecosystem. This means it's a place where many different living things, like plants and animals, live and interact. It's home to countless birds, fish, and plants.
Birds of Lake El Estero
Over 300 different kinds of birds have been seen at Lake El Estero Park! Many birds stop here to rest during their long migrations south. Some common birds you might see include the ring-billed gull, the western gull, the California gull, and the mud hen. You might also spot the black-crowned night heron and the great blue heron.
During the summer, the brown pelican visits from the south. Many ducks, like the mallard, live here all year. Other ducks like the ruddy duck and bufflehead duck also make their home here. You might even see a Canada goose! It's important not to feed the birds, as they rely on the natural plants around the lake for food.
Other Animals in the Lake
The waters of Lake El Estero are also home to many other animals. You might find the western pond turtle, the Pacific tree frog, and the red-legged frog. There are also crayfish and several types of fish. These include the tule perch, Sacramento perch, and Sacramento blackfish.
Plants of Lake El Estero
The plants around Lake El Estero are very important for the animals that live there. The California Tule, also known as California Bulrush, provides great nesting spots for birds. Its stems also offer a safe hiding place for fish.
Other common plants and trees you'll see are the Monterey cypress, the Monterey pine, the cattail, the coast live oak, the arroyo willow, and the yellow willow.
Fun at El Estero Park
El Estero Park has many fun attractions for both people who live in Monterey and visitors.
Dennis the Menace Playground
The most popular spot is the Dennis the Menace Playground. This playground was designed by the famous cartoon writer Hank Ketcham, who created Dennis the Menace. He worked with sculptor Arch Garner. The park opened on November 17, 1956, and quickly became a huge success.
One of the coolest things in the park is a real 1924 steam engine train! It was given to the park by the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1986, the park got a big makeover. Architect Richard Murray led this renovation, which cost over $300,000. They added a 30-foot tall rope swing and other new playground equipment.
In 2006, the bronze statue of Dennis the Menace, the park's mascot, was stolen. It was a sad day for the park! Luckily, a new replacement statue was donated and put in place on March 27, 2007.
Other Attractions
El Estero Park also has the El Estero Ball Park. This field is used by different sports groups, like the Junior League and the Women's Soccer League. There's also a dog park where furry friends can play, and a cool skatepark designed by 40 local skaters.
Right across the lake from the Dennis the Menace Playground, you'll find El Estero Boating. Here, you can rent fiberglass paddleboats to explore the lake. You can choose from regular boats or large white swan boats. These boats can hold up to 4-5 people. Taking a boat ride around the lake and its small island has been a favorite activity for many generations of locals and tourists!
