Shollenberger Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shollenberger Park |
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Photo: Scott Hess
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| Type | Municipal |
| Location | Petaluma, California |
| Area | 165 acres (0.67 km2), 248 acres (1.00 km2) with adjacent Alman Marsh and Petaluma River Marsh |
| Created | 1995 |
| Visitors | 150,000 |
| Status | Open all year |
Shollenberger Park is a wonderful 165-acre (0.67 km2) wetland park in Petaluma, California. A wetland is an area of land that is covered by water, like a marsh or swamp. It's a special place where land and water meet.
This park, along with the 80-acre (320,000 m2) Alman Marsh and 260-acre (1.1 km2) Ellis Creek, forms a huge area of 505 acres (2.04 km2) that people can visit. All these areas together are known as the "Petaluma Wetlands."
The park is named after Richard Shollenberger, who was a park chief. It protects one of the last natural wetlands of its kind. Shollenberger Park is a fantastic spot for bird watching. Over 230 different kinds of birds have been seen here! Some of these birds are even rare or threatened.
The Audubon Society, a group that cares about birds, says Shollenberger Park is a very important birding site. The San Francisco Chronicle newspaper also calls it a top place for nature lovers. You can find rare animals and plants here, like the special salt marsh harvest mouse.
About 150,000 people visit the park every year. It's used as an outdoor classroom for kids to learn about nature. Scientists also use it to study wildlife. The Petaluma Wetlands Alliance is a group that helps the park. They work to restore habitats and give tours to see birds and other wildlife. They also have a special learning program for third graders. Another group, Point Blue Conservation Science, is right next to the park. They focus on protecting wildlife and doing research.
This area used to be called Cader Lane Ponds.
Amazing Birds and Wildlife
Shollenberger Park is a true paradise for birds. More than 230 different species have been recorded here! This makes it one of the best places to see a wide variety of birds.
You can spot many kinds of birds, including:
- Water Birds: Look for grebes, pelicans, and cormorants swimming on the water. You might see herons and egrets wading in the shallow parts. There are also many types of ducks, geese, and swans.
- Birds of Prey: Keep an eye out for powerful birds like hawks, falcons, and even turkey vultures soaring above. You might spot an bald eagle or an osprey hunting for fish.
- Shorebirds: On the muddy shores, you can find plovers, stilts, avocets, and many kinds of sandpipers. These birds have long legs and beaks to find food in the mud.
- Gulls and Terns: Many types of gulls and terns fly over the water.
- Other Birds: The park is also home to owls, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and many small songbirds like swallows, wrens, and finches.
Besides birds, the park is home to other animals. The endangered salt marsh harvest mouse lives here. This tiny mouse is very special and needs the wetland habitat to survive.
Images for kids
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Photo: Scott Hess
See also
In Spanish: Shollenberger Park para niños
