Today I went back to Redrock’s park for a visit to see how it looks in the spring! It looks so different! There were leaf buds and flowers on most of the trees, and the sun was shining on this beautiful 70-degree! It was so fun to walk around and get to explore my area one last time before the end of the school year.
Redrock’s has definitely changed phonologically over time as it went through fall, lost all of its leaves, and covered the ground with dead plants and leaf litter. Then through winter when it was freezing cold, everything was bear, and dead. And finally, now as we enter spring everything is sprouting, growing, and emerging! Geographically however, nothing has really seemed to change too much as I still have my favorite rocks to sit on, as you hike up you still have a solid elevation change and a change to an abundance of Eastern White Cedar trees.
This area is directly near a local neighborhood which is actually within walkable distance creating a connection between the community and the natural areas. However, what I have noticed the most is that there are so many people from our community that walk in this park. Young and old, BIPOC, locals, dogs, kids. Everyone seems to come to this area which makes me feel even more connected to the Burlington community and cultural.
However, even though I have spent many hours at this place, it still does not seem like my place. I feel as if I am part of the Burlington community, but I feel as though I am more part of my community at home, and nothing will feel the same as the pond that I grew up at. Maybe with enough hours and time spent in this area, it will one day compare, however not yet.
Here is a quick sketch I did of the rock I usually scramble up and sit on during my visit!
