calhoun creek prairie - new berlin, wi
Early this spring I was on my way back from a hike in the New Berlin area. As I headed east on Beloit Road a sign on my right caught my eye, but I'd already missed it, and traffic was slightly busy, so I filed it away in my memory for another excursion, another day. My husband and I passed it again recently, when we went for a hike at Calhoun Park.
On the way back I made a note of what the sign said and where it was. Calhoun Creek Prairie. Located where Beloit Road and Calhoun Road meet. Just north of Calhoun Park, actually. This week I finally had some time to check it out.
The preserve was originally planted as a Christmas tree farm in the 1980's. Now, it is being restored to native prairie as part of a merger between the Waukesha County Land Conservancy and Muskego Lakes Land Conservancy. In the fall of 2020, they hosted a Christmas Tree Sale event in an effort to clear many of the trees from the land, and fundraise for the project. This summer they already have a beautiful native prairie growing! Goldenrod, Hoary Vervain, Wild Aster, Joe Pye Weed, and Maximilian Sunflower were just some of the native wildflowers blooming.
The walking trail here follows the perimeter of the property, and, though I walked a mile or so on my visit, I did not cover it all.
I spied a hawk flying overhead, Cedar Waxwings perching in some of the old, barren trees, heard Goldfinches as they flew from wildflower to wildflower eating seed heads, and even heard a couple Catbirds calling from deep within some dogwood shrubs. Not all of the evergreens are gone. They are scattered throughout, offering shelter to birds, and green in all seasons.
I look forward to seeing the prairie develop over the coming months and years. But don't wait, it's beautiful right now!
There is limited parking on site in the lot along Calhoun Road. There are no restroom facilities on site.
Location: 5180 S. Calhoun Road, New Berlin, WI (Waukesha County)
For more information, click here.
On the way back I made a note of what the sign said and where it was. Calhoun Creek Prairie. Located where Beloit Road and Calhoun Road meet. Just north of Calhoun Park, actually. This week I finally had some time to check it out.
The preserve was originally planted as a Christmas tree farm in the 1980's. Now, it is being restored to native prairie as part of a merger between the Waukesha County Land Conservancy and Muskego Lakes Land Conservancy. In the fall of 2020, they hosted a Christmas Tree Sale event in an effort to clear many of the trees from the land, and fundraise for the project. This summer they already have a beautiful native prairie growing! Goldenrod, Hoary Vervain, Wild Aster, Joe Pye Weed, and Maximilian Sunflower were just some of the native wildflowers blooming.
The walking trail here follows the perimeter of the property, and, though I walked a mile or so on my visit, I did not cover it all.
I spied a hawk flying overhead, Cedar Waxwings perching in some of the old, barren trees, heard Goldfinches as they flew from wildflower to wildflower eating seed heads, and even heard a couple Catbirds calling from deep within some dogwood shrubs. Not all of the evergreens are gone. They are scattered throughout, offering shelter to birds, and green in all seasons.
I look forward to seeing the prairie develop over the coming months and years. But don't wait, it's beautiful right now!
There is limited parking on site in the lot along Calhoun Road. There are no restroom facilities on site.
Location: 5180 S. Calhoun Road, New Berlin, WI (Waukesha County)
For more information, click here.
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