Wow, what a year it has been! It’s unbelievable to think that we have come full circle already. Many things have changed, while others have remained the same. This can be seen through the natural world at Oakledge Park as I visited here one final time this semester.
The evergreens and firs were stills standing strong and tall, while the young saplings take root and have begun their growth. Trees such as the Red Maple have also started to bud as their leaves come out to play.
Another observation I made was that the grass, ferns, and shrubs are making their return and are glowing green as they regain their life.
Animals that I observed while I spent time here include a gray squirrel, chipmunk, and several bird species. I believed one of the bird species I saw to be a hawk. Based on this I was able to design a species interaction diagram shown below…
When it comes to nature and culture being intertwined, Oakledge is a great place to witness it. I visited here on a beautiful, sunny day which led me to find many people of different cultures collectively enjoying the nature here at Oakledge. For example there was a family barbecue or grill out, multiple games of beach volleyball going on, soccer games occurring, and people just hanging out! No matter what your culture is, there is something for everyone at Oakledge Park. It is a very inclusive place for all ages as well.
While I did spend a great deal of time here at Oakledge Park over the course of the year, visiting each month to check out the phenology; I never really considered myself part of this place. Personally, I believe an individuals connection to a place comes from experiences or memories that occurred in that particular spot. I often visited this site by myself, and was unable to make lasting memories that would lead me to feel a connection Oakledge. As time goes on, I plan to show my friends this place in hope of creating a connection with Oakledge as it is such a beautiful spot to watch sunsets which is one of my favorite things to do.