All signs point to wondrous beauty at The Parklands this spring
Beckley Creek Park, Broad Run Park
Everything’s popping up roundleaf violets and rue-anemones! Actually, ephemeral flowers are just one part of the magical picture at The Parklands this spring. The birds and peepers are singing, tree buds are swelling, and the trails are calling!
Since recent days have been chilly, you may find it hard to believe spring is officially here. You’ll have a better sense the new season is upon us if you look for the many beautiful signs!
Bloodroot
Carolina Allspice
Marsh Marigold
Woodland Phlox
Spectacular displays of ephemeral flowers
These delicate wildflowers are tiny but offer spectacular displays of beauty. Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) will start showing up in many of the wooded areas. In the Moss Gibbs Woodland Garden, Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus ‘Athens’) and marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris) begin to bloom in mid-April. In late April to mid-May, keep an eye open for the woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata ‘Blue Moon’).
Birds with bright colors and songs
Spring is a great time to observe a wide variety of bird species. We have many year-round resident birds at the parks, such as the cardinal. On your next stroll or hike, you might look for neotropical songbirds like the warblers and vireos that will soon make their way through Kentucky during migration. Like many ephemeral blooms, these beauties are tiny―some weighing less than an ounce! Be sure to listen too, since many of these birds have distinct and nuanced vocalizations.
Peepers add to the sound mix
The singing chorus of spring peepers is one of the most unique signs of the season! Tiny and well-hidden as these amphibians may be, their loud chorus is hard to miss on your morning run, walk, or hike near Floyds Fork. Their singing shows that these little frogs are awake and ready for a warm season ahead.
Small, leafy tree buds
While tree buds are present throughout fall and winter, they begin to swell and appear larger as the weather gets warmer. This first sign of spring is always a welcome sight, bringing added dimension and color to the park landscapes.
Beauty that’s planted and cultivated
Our Horticulture and Natural Areas Team is working to bring vibrant color to the parks with a mix of flower installations. In planted gardens, you may begin to see daffodils and crocuses dotting the spring landscape with bursts of purple, white, and yellow.
Poetic signs of the season
The Poetry Trail in Beckley Creek Park is a path that blooms with wonders of nature and lyrical words. It meanders through meadows, savannah, and wetlands, offering a perfect opportunity to slow down and take in the signs of spring.
Near the start of the trail, by the water fountain at the Humana Grand Allee, a passage from creative nonfiction writer Dianne Aprile reminds us how poetry awakens us to the beauty of the world around us. She notes how some poems you encounter on the trail will rouse curiosity, while others might make you smile.
Among the 15 poems specially curated for the trail is “A Light exists in Spring” by Emily Dickinson. You might read this poem and others to connect with nature in a new way and experience a brightness that “almost speaks to you.”
Inspiration at every turn
Not sure where to begin your search for the signs of spring? Make plans to hike the Black Willow Trail in Beckley Creek Park, where the creek, forest, and prairie habitats offer a multitude of seasonal marvels. Interested in a hike in our southern parks? Take a leisurely stroll through the Moss Gibbs Woodland Garden. For more sightseeing inspiration, visit our website: theparklands.org.