11/28 Exploration of Phenology Update

After being home for the week, I decided to revisit one of the hidden gems that my city had to offer. Located in the midst of a suburban village, the Perry Springs Park and Fish Hatchery was very simply the backyard of a Manlius neighborhood. Similar to the geographical circumstances of my phenology spot back in Burlington, this natural area is nestled right in the heart of an urbanized town center. The very first time it was introduced to me, I had been shocked that it was just down the street from my job (Cafe Kubal)!!

Perry Springs Park and Fish Hatchery is a collective natural area encompassing a pond, springs, forested trails, and a fish hatchery that is owned by the Village of Manlius (est. 1986). The water supply of this park originates from a spring on a hillside and has been tested to be pristine and pollution-free (ideal conditions to raise trout). Every fall, the Village purchases about 25,000 Rainbow trout eggs in order to provide the children and seniors of Manlius with a recreational fishing program.

While walking around the pond and towards the hatchery, I noticed an abundance of Northern White Cedars as well as spruces and pines. This location is fairly secluded from the urban elements of the village which is beneficial to the health of this particular habitat. But, I definitely think that although the fish hatchery serves the purpose of preserving trout populations, the installation of the systems into the natural area brings a certain human disruption to the natural state of the area. But it is arguable that this system does not exert as strenuous of an impact on the state of the area as the highway and runoff do on Centennial Woods.

Hardwood/Conifer species:

• N. White Cedar
• Sugar Maples
• American Beech
• Eastern White Pine
• Red Oak
• Eastern Hemlock