sanctuary woods - wauwatosa, wi
Sanctuary Woods is 66 acres of old growth forest, woodlands, and wetlands, and is a part of Milwaukee County Grounds Park. You may have heard in the news, in recent years, the tale of the local community working to save this parcel of land from development. It's ecological, and historical value are regarded as extremely important, especially given the urban development surrounding it.
A walk through the woods here is, indeed, a sanctuary from the surrounding noise and traffic of a bustling, growing city. Here you are surrounded by old, old trees, birdsong overhead, wildflowers in season, and remnants of buildings, paths, and gardens, that once stood surrounding the woods. In 1880 the Milwaukee County Asylum for the Insane opened its doors here. Over time, other notable features were added to the grounds to enhance the natural surroundings, and incorporate nature into the healing of its patients. Men's and women's respite areas, a man-made lake with a bridge, gazebo, and a water fountain. Trails for walking. Sunken gardens, with a viewing patio.
Signage has been placed along the trail by Friends of County Grounds Park Milwaukee, and provides some detail on the historic ruins.
The trails are an easy walk. I spotted several Red-breasted Nuthatches, a Downey Woodpecker, Chickadees, Robins, and heard the call of a Red-bellied Woodpecker along the way. Squirrels and chipmunks scurried among fallen tree trunks, and I even spotted a coyote, from a distance. It stood quietly beneath a tree, lit by the warm afternoon sun. Breathtaking!
Sanctuary Woods is an intriguing combination of natural, and man-made history. A place to embrace nature's gifts, and a place to peak your curiosity in local history. For more details, check out the links provided below.
Location: Take 87th Street north at Watertown Plank Road, and follow the curving road to get to the parking lot. (Milwaukee County)
For more information on the history of, and work to preserve Sanctuary Woods, check out the following links:
What is Sanctuary Woods?
The Cultural Landscape Foundation
Update: In the past two years there has been a significant amount of work done in the sanctuary, including removing invasive buckthorn from the sunken gardens area. In 2021, a newly founded group: Youth Friends of County Grounds Park joined in the restoration efforts, and worked to bring in more youth to help as well. In addition, they did some fundraising to purchase the appropriate native plant seeds, and then sowed them in the newly weeded sunken garden. The fruits, or flowers, of this effort should be evident in 2-3 years. On a recent visit to the sunken gardens, where once invasive buckthorn ruled, now the area is covered in green. Hopefully native wildflowers will brighten this landscape as well.
A walk through the woods here is, indeed, a sanctuary from the surrounding noise and traffic of a bustling, growing city. Here you are surrounded by old, old trees, birdsong overhead, wildflowers in season, and remnants of buildings, paths, and gardens, that once stood surrounding the woods. In 1880 the Milwaukee County Asylum for the Insane opened its doors here. Over time, other notable features were added to the grounds to enhance the natural surroundings, and incorporate nature into the healing of its patients. Men's and women's respite areas, a man-made lake with a bridge, gazebo, and a water fountain. Trails for walking. Sunken gardens, with a viewing patio.
Signage has been placed along the trail by Friends of County Grounds Park Milwaukee, and provides some detail on the historic ruins.
The trails are an easy walk. I spotted several Red-breasted Nuthatches, a Downey Woodpecker, Chickadees, Robins, and heard the call of a Red-bellied Woodpecker along the way. Squirrels and chipmunks scurried among fallen tree trunks, and I even spotted a coyote, from a distance. It stood quietly beneath a tree, lit by the warm afternoon sun. Breathtaking!
Sanctuary Woods is an intriguing combination of natural, and man-made history. A place to embrace nature's gifts, and a place to peak your curiosity in local history. For more details, check out the links provided below.
Location: Take 87th Street north at Watertown Plank Road, and follow the curving road to get to the parking lot. (Milwaukee County)
For more information on the history of, and work to preserve Sanctuary Woods, check out the following links:
What is Sanctuary Woods?
The Cultural Landscape Foundation
Update: In the past two years there has been a significant amount of work done in the sanctuary, including removing invasive buckthorn from the sunken gardens area. In 2021, a newly founded group: Youth Friends of County Grounds Park joined in the restoration efforts, and worked to bring in more youth to help as well. In addition, they did some fundraising to purchase the appropriate native plant seeds, and then sowed them in the newly weeded sunken garden. The fruits, or flowers, of this effort should be evident in 2-3 years. On a recent visit to the sunken gardens, where once invasive buckthorn ruled, now the area is covered in green. Hopefully native wildflowers will brighten this landscape as well.
All photos, blog posts, and content are copyright (c) 2014-2024 Kimberly Mackowski, unless otherwise noted. |
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