Wild in Park
In 1962 the Mayor and City Council passed a resolution creating Fort Ward Park “to be held and used for permanent open space land as an Historic Park”. Although the park is renown for Native American, Civil War and African American history some of the city park and recreation managers that helped to create the park proposal in the 1950’s envisioned that, in addition to protecting and interpreting history, it be used to:
“..provide for the recreational interests and pursuits of those persons desiring areas left in their natural state“;
“…preserve as much land as possible to be left in a natural state”;
“..give apartment dwellers and the average residents a place in which he does not feel crowded”.
Not surprisingly, because of the city leader’s foresight, the park is well known for it’s wildlife. Park users, city staff and nearby homeowners have reported to have seen the 40-plus acre park regularly used by a variety of animals including Chipmunks, Squirrels, Racoons, Foxes, and Deer. The park is also habitat for a variety of resident, song and migratory birds including Crows, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Hummingbirds, Red-Tail Hawks, and Eagles.
This collection of wildlife, some of which are protected under federal laws, attracts a variety of park users including birdwatchers, school children and their teachers, photographers, and wildlife biologists.
A small group of park users is preparing a list of the wildlife of Fort Ward Park and we can use your help.
What animals or birds have you seen in the park? If you would like to share your wildlife observations please drop a note to: glenn_eugster@comcast.net
By telephone call: 703-845-8947
In 1962 the Mayor and City Council passed a resolution creating Fort Ward Park “to be held and used for permanent open space land as an Historic Park”. Although the park is renown for Native American, Civil War and African American history some of the city park and recreation managers that helped to create the park proposal in the 1950’s envisioned that, in addition to protecting and interpreting history, it be used to:
“..provide for the recreational interests and pursuits of those persons desiring areas left in their natural state“;
“…preserve as much land as possible to be left in a natural state”;
“..give apartment dwellers and the average residents a place in which he does not feel crowded”.
Not surprisingly, because of the city leader’s foresight, the park is well known for it’s wildlife. Park users, city staff and nearby homeowners have reported to have seen the 40-plus acre park regularly used by a variety of animals including Chipmunks, Squirrels, Racoons, Foxes, and Deer. The park is also habitat for a variety of resident, song and migratory birds including Crows, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Hummingbirds, Red-Tail Hawks, and Eagles.
This collection of wildlife, some of which are protected under federal laws, attracts a variety of park users including birdwatchers, school children and their teachers, photographers, and wildlife biologists.
A small group of park users is preparing a list of the wildlife of Fort Ward Park and we can use your help.
What animals or birds have you seen in the park? If you would like to share your wildlife observations please drop a note to: glenn_eugster@comcast.net
By telephone call: 703-845-8947
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