Sheridan Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sheridan Park |
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A section of the Oak Leaf Trail in Sheridan Park
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| Location | Cudahy, Wisconsin |
| Created | 1914 |
| Operated by | Milwaukee County Parks Department |
Sheridan Park is a cool park in Cudahy, Wisconsin, right by the beautiful Lake Michigan. It's a "municipal park," which means it's owned and run by the city for everyone to enjoy! This park is full of awesome trees, bushes, and other plants that naturally grow in Wisconsin.
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The Story of Sheridan Park
Did you know Sheridan Park has been around for over 100 years? Back in 1913, the mayor of Cudahy, Christ Woehsner, had a great idea. He thought the land along Lake Michigan would be perfect for a public park.
He wrote a letter saying how much he loved the beauty of the area. This letter helped convince people to buy the land from its owner, Patrick Cudahy. In 1914, the area officially became a park called the Public Park of Cudahy. A few years later, in 1920, its name was changed to Sheridan Park. This was to honor Major-General Philip Henry Sheridan, a famous military leader.
Exploring Nature at Sheridan Park
Sheridan Park is like a mini-adventure with different kinds of natural areas. You can find wide-open fields, shady wooded spots, and tall bluffs (cliffs) overlooking the lake. There are also sandy beaches and a calm pond. The plants growing along the bluffs are special because they are native to this part of Wisconsin. This means they have been growing here naturally for a very long time!
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Sheridan Park is a fantastic place to play and relax! Since it's right next to Lake Michigan, you can enjoy amazing views. The park has lots of different areas for sports and activities:
- Baseball and softball fields for team games.
- Basketball courts where you can shoot hoops.
- Tennis courts for a friendly match.
- A swimming pool to cool off on hot days.
- A children's playground with swings and slides.
- Picnic areas perfect for lunch outdoors.
- Part of the Oak Leaf Trail, which is a long path great for biking or walking.
- A pond where you can watch nature.
Animals and Plants You Might See
Sheridan Park is home to many different animals and plants. Keep your eyes open when you visit!
Fish in the Pond
The pond in Sheridan Park has several types of fish swimming around. You might spot:
- Largemouth bass
- Panfish (like bluegill or sunfish)
- Northern pike
Birds You Can Find
Many birds love to visit Sheridan Park, especially around the pond. Look for:
- Canada geese
- Mallards (a common type of duck)
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Canada geese enjoying the park
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More Canada geese hanging out
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Mallards and Canada geese swimming together
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A female mallard duck in the pond
Trees and Plants Growing Here
The park is filled with many different kinds of trees and plants. Some of the ones you might see include:
- Birch trees
- Red pine trees
- Spruce trees
- Staghorn sumac
- Red osier dogwood
- Rough-stemmed goldenrod
- Cattails (often found near water)
- Dandelions
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A beautiful birch tree
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A tall red pine tree
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A green spruce tree
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Another birch tree in the park
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Staghorn sumac with its unique shape
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Red osier dogwood with its bright red stems
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Rough-stemmed goldenrod, a common wildflower
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Cattails growing by the pond
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A bright yellow dandelion
