Blog From The Bog

Comments from the Boardwalk

This morning Teri Lenfest and I took a quick walk around the Hylebos boardwalk.  Our last visit to the park was 10 days ago and the native plants have already started to take charge of the boardwalk.  The wet spring has really given a boost to the vegetative growth.  It's lush and beautiful, but Teri and I know we will have a difficult time keeping our voluntary trail trimming ahead of the bursting plants. 

Along the trail look for white clusters of blossoms on the Red-osier Dogwood as you cross the main stream channel.  Look and listen for the secretive Swainson's Thrush, Song Sparrow and Bewick's Wren in the dense brush. 

Special visitors to the park this month were "Scout Pack 313 - Kent/ Federal Way " and "Brownie Troop 1057 - Milton".  Congratulations go out to Max and Meg who became engaged at West Hylebos Park on May 12th.  Thank-you to all the 287 visitors who took the time to sign the register May 5 - May 15th. Most distant visitors: Montana, Eugene Oregon and Yakima WA
Puget Sound Area:  Auburn, Covington, Des Moines, Edgewood, Federal Way, Kent, Milton, Monroe, Seattle and Tacoma.

Quotes from the Hylebos

Hooo-Ray
Great Place to go with friends.
So much fun!
Kids love it!
THANKS !!
My Grand-daughters had a grand time.
Hate the dog running around.
Frogs
Always love the walk.
Beautiful
Wonderful Park!
Mucho Gracias!
This park is amazing

Happy Spring, Adele Freeland

Hylebos Native Plant Walk

Native Plant Appreciation Walk
Observations and photos by Adele Freeland

May 5th I had the opportunity to join Katherine Glew and Dan Paquette from the Washington Native Plant Society for a tour around the Hylebos boardwalk in celebration of Native Plant Appreciation Week. In addition to being knowledgeable about native plants Katie is the expert on the topic of Lichens and Don the Master of Mosses.   

Our group of 20 came from all corners of King County.  We spent the morning and part of the afternoon enjoying not only the lush green beauty of the park, but taking a closer look at the lichens, mosses and native plants, trying to key them out using our fieldguides, "Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast" by Pojar/ MacKinnon and the book "Mosses, Lichens & Ferns" of Northwest by Dale H. Witt, Janet E. Marsh & Robin B. Bovey.  All the participants were enchanted by the Hylebos.  One quote I overheard was, "This is Eden in the Northwest"   

I agree and always feel rejuvenated after a visit to the Hylebos.  Always coming away with something new I've seen or experienced at the park.

The new parking area was very well recieved by visitors.  The early birds got the parking spots.  In addition to our group many families with young children were walking the boardwalk and enjoying the park on a fine spring day.