Lyon Oaks County Park, Wixom, MI
Lyon Oaks County Park, Wixom, MI (August 2013)
The next several slides are images of the parks 13 acre off-lease dog park
Video of 13 acre off-lease dog park
Information on the Wetlands from the sign at the park
"At Lyon Oaks County Park, the wetland was established by eliminating ground and surface water drainage. Existing agricultural drain tiles were broken to maximize the amount of water retained on the site. Extensive site grading occurred to form the wetland basin. Finally, berms and water control structure were installed to retain surface water.
ONce the wetland basic was prepared, a no-till drill was used to spread a custom seed mix that included native emergent and wet meadow plant species. Finally, native prairie seed mix was applied to the seven-acre buffer surrounding the wetland basin.
Based on the site's history and soil type, the area will be restored as a wet meadow. Wet meadows have soil that is saturated with water, but unlike a marsh or swamp, there is no standing water for most of the year. Because of this, they do not usually contain fish, but can support other wildlife, such as birds, mammals, reptiles, and butterfies.
Plants in a wet meadow are mostly sedges, rushes and wildflowers. This ecosystem is becoming less common. WIth the onset of development, many existing wet meadows have been either filled or converted to open water ponds. Establishing a wet meadow at this site provides an outstanding opportunity to conserve a unique Michigan ecotype.
The wet meadow offers diverse habitat for wetland-dependant wildlife such as amphibians and waterfowl. The adjacent prairie will offer habitat for upland wildlife. Pheasant, quail, deer, rabbit and turkey, as well as predators like snakes, hawks, coyotes and fox may use this area for both food and shelter.
Approximately 80 logs, large root wads, and felled trees were installed within the constructed wetland basin prior to seeding. These habitat structures are designed to provide feeding nesting, shelter and winter cover for park wildlife."
The meadow leads you to a whole series of very nice wooded trails to walk, hike, bike, etc.
Video of trail.
Information on the Great Blue Heron Rookery Restoration from the sign at the park
"Based on verbal histories of Spencer family members, who have owned much of the park property since 1857, a nesting colony - rookery - of great blue herons has existed in Lyon Oaks for at least 75 years prior to the early 1990s. In 1988, 257 heron nests were reported. During the 1990s the rookery dissipated, which is not uncommon when nesting trees fall. This man-made rookery is an effort to bring nesting herons back using utility poles with pre-fab nesting platforms. Less likely to fall than trees, they can be placed where needed. Also, predator guards can be easily installed. DTE Energy gratiously donated the poles, labor, and equipment to install this rookery, the first of its kind in Michigan. It will serve as a model for other heron restoration efforts."
