A primer on open government...

Blog Index:

1) Preface: On Preservation of the Natural World

2) Current Status of "Stabilization".

3) Introduction…

4) Temporary Restraining Order in Place...

5) How it all Started...

6) "Friends of Oatka Park" Protest...

7) Winter along the Creek…the park through the seasons of the year.

A primer on open government:

This blog is a running account of the events which started near the end of July 2009 this past summer in the Town of Wheatland to construct soccer playing fields. They were hatched nearly a year prior…behind closed doors, under the table, in a smoke-filled back room, and during darkness of night…as the old story goes!

(At the bottom of each blog page you can click on "older posts" to move on through the blog. Every time you do this, the header page will reappear and you will need to scroll past it to continue reading. The blog tells the entire story of the recent events at Oatka Creek Park and then shows the natural beauty of Oatka Creek Park though the seasons of the year. You can click on the small pictures to increase their size.)

This story serves as a typical example of what most sane people detest: Events which fuel constant property tax hikes, more taxes every time the next shoe drops, and more of "same old, same old".

Paying taxes is a part of citizenship when it provides the revenues to keep us safe, deliver public services we can't afford individually, and funds the necessary resources to operate our communities.

When these tax revenues tilt in the direction of "making work" for the sake of building political empires and creating a hidden infrastructure of back-slapping buddies who empty our pockets, then it has gone well beyond the scope of "the cost of citizenship".

For example, every time I hear the mower coming down the street across from my home, cutting down the wild flowers along the shoulder and making a mess out of something natural which otherwise looked pretty good to me, I am reminded that somebody is being paid to run that mower, somebody bought that mower, somebody pays for the fuel to run it, and more somebodys will maintain that mower into the distant future. This and many other "nice things" like olympic running tracks at our local high school, etc are hardly what we need in order to survive sustainably. If we really want all this stuff, we can most certainly expect more and more taxes from now on well into the future. Just maintaining all the "stuff" already materialized will be a guaranteed struggle.

Sadly, if we don't continue to maintain these things, some decent people will loose jobs who now do that work and they will need to find other more sustainable things to do. Thus the vicious cycle of "getting and maintaining unnecessary/unsustainable goodies" with our taxes (tails) and paying out fewer tax dollars (heads) are on opposite sides of the coin. This coin is a fair coin…heads we win, tails we loose.

The coin now being tossed seems to constantly give us heads we loose, tails we loose and something is decisively wrong with it which can only be fixed in the voting booth.

If you are personally elated with your local property taxes and "same old, same old thinking" then don't vote at all or vote for the same people on the blue poster boards around this Town.

Read this blog about the incredible story of how the blue poster folks have served us recently and keep it in mind when you go out to vote!

Unfortunately the latest decision as of 16 October 2009 regarding the soccer fields is "full speed ahead". We now may have one more "goodie" and local nuisance to maintain well into the future unless appeals are mounted and the one in a bazillion odds move in favor of the improbable.

Oatka Creek Park is not alone in attack by development pressure. Read more about "Parks Preservation in Monroe County, NY".

Contact "Friends of Oatka Park" here:
friends.of.oatka.park@gmail.com

Preface: On Preservation of the Natural World

(Katmai National Park/PBS photo)

"The National Parks: America's Best Idea" is a documentary series produced by filmmaker Ken Burns and was recently aired on PBS TV. It emphasized the fact that it has been a tireless struggle by those who appreciate the natural world and choose to save some of the most beautiful places across this country from being plundered by those motivated by financial profit, personal gain, or limited interests. Preservation of these natural wonders for all future generations to enjoy is a higher order than their plunder for the immediate personal gain of narrow special interests.

(Olympic National Park/PBS photo)

Nature can not be improved upon and is best enjoyed and cared for by preservation and a light footprint placed upon it. Mother nature alone is the best guardian of such places. When men unduly interfere, ugly results often follow and unintended consequences may emerge.

On a much smaller scale, our local parks and public places often encounter similar issues regarding the extent of development applied to them. To the degree that development occurs wisely and in places where appropriate, it may serve the general public well. However, to the extent that development is applied unwisely, it can ruin the natural quality and appeal of once attractive places which nature cared for entirely on a no cost basis.

Here in the Town of Wheatland we have a recent example of our elected representatives serving limited special interests and collaborating in the development of a unique nature park without general public input. In fact, some Town board members appeared to have been uninformed when challenged about the work being done at Oatka Creek Park to install two soccer playing fields in an old field wildlife habitat.

Our elected officials and appointed trustees of these natural places should carefully consider what they do when developing these public resources in terms of who they may benefit and what they will cost all the citizen taxpayers to maintain when mother nature ceases to be their custodian.

Now is the time to reconsider which public representatives will provide open government and serve everyone and not just a few when new initiatives arise. Seldom will all citizens ever agree on any given change but they will most certainly be more satisfied if they at least have an opportunity to comment on how their taxes are being spent through a public forum if they choose to become involved.

Current Status of "Stabilization".

The article 78 petition by the "Friends of Oatka Park" for the purpose of terminating the construction of two terraced soccer fields at the main entrance of Oatka Creek Park was continued on 16 September 2009 at which time the justice presiding in the first hearing was replaced by a new justice. The decision consisted of two orders by the new justice after hearing motions by the "Petitioners...Friends of Oatka Park" and the "Respondent...County of Monroe".

The first order in the decision stated that the initial temporary restraining order be modified to allow the Respondent to perform work at the subject site consistent with its stormwater prevention plan (SWPP), including but not limited to grading, seeding, and measures intended to minimize or eliminate exposed soils, erosion, and runoff.

The second order stated that the temporary restraining order as modified by the first order shall remain in force until such time as the Court rules on the balance of the parties' motions and cross-motions.

Offhand, this sounds like a victory for the Petitioners, however, it amounted to giving the driver of a car the permission to apply his brakes only after the car was plunging over the side of a cliff. Big help! The Respondent's interpretation of the order resulted in a logical continuation of the project as if nothing ever happened at all. The "balanced cut and fill" procedure in which the upper terrace was being constructed, continued exactly as it had originally commenced only with additional cuts into the parking lot berm and deeper cuts into the top terrace level in order to achieve a volume of fill suitable for leveling the upper terrace level. The concept of adding insult to injury comes to mind!

This was indeed a hollow victory for the Petitioners! The only future bright prospect imaginable was that the next hearing might actually produce a resounding decision to prohibit the playing of soccer on this site regardless of the extent that the fields were developed at the end of alleged "stabilization".

The ideal decision in my imagination would be that not only the project be ceased and never continued but that the Respondent be obliged to restore the site to original grade by means of hand tools and at his own expense with final inspection and approval of the restoration by the Petitioners.

The pictures associated with this text show the present status of the "stabilization" procedure which has basically completed the upper terrace level field and reapplied the top soil there. The lower field remains uncompleted and apparently was not "stabilized" as a result of the monsoons which have descended upon the area for the past few weeks or the consideration by the Respondent that doing work to complete the lower terrace level might actually fly in the face of "stabilization" and be ruled as contempt of court.

Regardless of outcome, Oatka Creek Park has been severely raped in terms of the original natural place it had almost returned to as a result of cessation of human effort to "improve it". Mother nature had almost prevailed but got beaten in the end game.

DECISION:

On 16 October 2009, Judge John J. Ark, Supreme Court Justice made the following ruling:

"The Court, while acknowledging petitioners' legal standing, and granting them leave to file and serve their Amended Verified Petition, is nevertheless unconvinced that respondent acted in an arbitrary and capricious fashion.

Accordingly, it is the Decision of the Court that petitioners' superseding Article 78 Amended Verified Petition be, and it is hereby, DISMISSED, with prejudice.

It is the further Decision of the court that the Temporary Restraining Order halting construction in Oatka Creek Park of two proposed soccer fields be, and it is hereby, VACATED.

This Decision shall constitute the Order of the Court."

Since this decision was made, the "stabilized" upper mud flat/soccer field was seeded and work appears to have been suspended for the winter. In spite of considerable drying time and efforts by Monroe County Parks Department to drain large puddles on the upper terrace, the field appears to be a potential swamp in the future unless more investment in drainage features is installed. Thus the construction of something of this magnitude on the cheap and in an inappropriate location has come home to roost and it is not pretty.

The Friends of Oatka Park have filed an appeal to the decision by Judge Ark which seems in his own words to be equally "arbitrary and capricious".

Introduction...

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WARNING

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This blog contains graphic material which may be disturbing to naturalists.

Viewing discretion is advised.

This blog is intended for the purpose of graphically depicting the natural beauty of Oatka Creek Park through the seasons of the year. Until recently, this park has had very limited development within its boundaries with the exception of a lodge and surrounding mowed open playing field for random events such as disorganized softball games, frisbee throwing, pitching of tents for Boy Scout activities and other similar events which find the natural setting of this park the primary attraction. The only other developed areas within the park are the trails though "old field" and "shrub upland" which would otherwise close up without some occasional attention and would make walking there a major endeavor.

The really beautiful trails are those within the deciduous forested areas where simply walking on the trails maintains them without human intervention.

This park therefore has a relatively low cost of ownership since it does not require extensive maintenance to keep it functional as a gem for horseback riding, walking on trails, nature photography, fishing, wading in the creek, walking of dogs, bird-watching, geocaching, picnicking, and all the sorts of things that most people seek when they have little more than a small yard with perhaps just a few trees and would like to escape to an unspoiled natural wonderland.

The "Friends of Oatka Park" is the owner of this blog and firmly protest the intended development which has started here at the main park entrance to construct two soccer fields. This proposal as with many actions, has a simple origin and was not unreasonable initially. The Scottsville Athletic Association encountered difficulty getting playing fields during the peak times when everyone wanted a soccer field at the same time. For various reasons fields seemed to be scarce. Some investigation into that aspect has yielded a considerable number of fields which will be available from now on.

Since there initially appeared to be a need for more soccer fields, the Town of Wheatland made some unsuccessful attempts to locate and construct fields in more developed places around the town but did not materialize any results. This next led to inquiries to the Monroe County Parks Department through internal political connections and Oatka Creek Park looked like a site for the project.

It was the back-room deals out of public view or citizen input which "Friends of Oatka Park" most greatly detests. The process or "lack of process" to date, regarding this soccer fields project kept only the interested parties informed until the project was underway and obvious to nearby residences and park users. When the machinery for discussing needs and solving problems is run properly in the open, and appropriate citizens are informed, it is generally possible to achieve acceptable solutions. It is the back room and under the table tactics which make most citizens skeptical of government and distrusting of what has now been reported as a wonderful resource for all of Monroe County.

I am reminded of the amusing parallel of George W. Bush, then president, commending the Director of FEMA after the Katrina disaster in New Orleans, "Brownie", with the blessing: "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job!"

When I received my formal response from our Monroe County Executive regarding this issue, I could hear her commendation to the Director of Monroe County Parks Department: "Larry, you're doing a heck of a job".

The "Friends of Oatka Park" would like to see this project permanently stopped and the "already raped site" restored to some semblance of its original condition perhaps nurtured along the way with extensive reseeding of wild flowers or other appropriate vegetation which make the park entrance attractive again rather than an eye sore. This would avoid a guaranteed future cost of ownership as well as a perpetual nuisance during soccer season.

Temporary Restraining Order in Place...

This is the current state of the site chosen by Monroe County Parks Department within Oatka Creek Park to install two soccer fields. Work has ceased until 16 September 2009 at which time an article 78 proceeding will determine what will happen to a place which was formerly enjoyed by people who do not find scheduled group-sport a suitable activity for a nature park.

How it all Started...

It seemed strange that the open area in this picture, formerly an "old field" community/habitat type, with milkweed and a wide variety of other plants was mowed to ground level. This coincided with a period during which the park trails elsewhere had been ignored well beyond the regular summer maintenance interval and were returning to nature. I first thought it was just stupidity in play or make-work mowing but it turned out to be preparation work for intended soccer fields.

This "old field" which was originally an abandoned farm field was undergoing a process of succession in which nature restores a place through a transition of growing states sometimes back to what it may have been when the country was first discovered. Progress of succession was somewhere along in the order of 30 or more years at least. Thus recovery to bring it back if this project ceases will be lengthy but worthwhile in order to preserve wilderness and wildlife habitat.

The local citizens realized that something was about to happen when the heavy equipment moved in after the mowing job and removed the "upland shrub" which was forming around the "hedge row" behind the bull dozer and along the "deciduous forest" not visible in the photo to the left. Approximately 100 relatively large trees were also removed along the southern deciduous forest and the western hedge row.

This was the point at which the concerned citizens succeeded in stopping the next intended phase of the project for the grading of the site into two level and terraced soccer fields. The basis for halting the work was the "minor oversight" by the County that this project covered 3.5 acres and not the considerably smaller acreage originally claimed in the initial documentation which put the project forward. At this point the County proceeded to amend the first erroneous documentation into a newer more advanced level of erroneous documentation. The efforts of discovery by the "Friends of Oatka Park" to contest the new version went to Judge Barry of the New York State Supreme Court and were successful in stopping the dozers at least until 16 September 2009. Unfortunately just prior to the temporary restraining order, considerable excavation had already commenced in the process of producing the terraces for the soccer fields.

"Friends of Oatka Park" Protest...

On 25 August 2009 a protest was held by concerned citizens who choose to preserve the natural beauty of Oatka Creek Park and avoid bussed-in/drive-in activity for group sport and scheduled events in a place not appropriate for stadium-type congregation.

They detest the standard argument that the proposed soccer fields now in progress are a tiny part of the entire park. This statement in numerical terms is correct but it would be like wearing sneakers to a black tie event when wearing a tuxedo...perhaps accompanied by a striped beanie with a propeller.

"Propriety" seems to be something not well understood by the director of the Monroe County Parks Department.

The group known as "Friends of Oatka Park" have attempted by every public forum possible to engage the Town of Wheatland and the Monroe County Parks Department who are collaborating on this project to consider better alternatives. Given no interest to stop the dozers, the last resort has been to sue the lead agency of this project in an article 78 petition. Work is now stopped pending a hearing on 16 September 2009.

Winter along the Creek...

Winter often produces magical formations of ice on tree limbs which hang into the creek. It is sometimes like the jewelry of mother nature along the banks.

Oatka Creek Park is aptly named for the creek passing through it on the north side of the park lands. The creek was originally named Allen's Creek after an early settler to this region. The creek passes through Scottsville and empties into the Genesee River. A part of the creek was once used for transport as a part of the Scottsville-Genesee River Canal.

The creek was also a power resource for manufacturing and was damed at many places too turn water wheels for running machinery. An obvious dam is still visible at what was once the Ebsary Gypsum processing plant, now Sabin Metal Corporation. A less obvious damn was within the present park grounds at Garbutt and just west of the bridge crossing the creek on Union Street.

Winter is a great time to see the many ruins of the old manufacturing operations which were once present here within the lands now called Oatka Creek Park.

Animal tracks in the Snow...

Every season of the year offers new prospects of discovery in Oatka Creek Park. Winter is a great time to observe the foot prints of the animal occupants of the place. It is a real treat to be the first one in the park after a fresh snowfall and find no human foot prints on certain trails but a myriad of other prints left by the wild inhabitants. I find it interesting when my dogs plug their noses deep into the holes left by passing white tail deer so they can get a better scent of what it might have been.

Remnants of the Past...

Winter is the best time to observe the remnants of the gypsum mining operations once present in the area which has become Oatka Creek Park. These ruins were some of the processing facilities of the Lycoming Calcinating Company near Garbutt.

The existence of this park can be largely credited to the fact that most of the land now in the park is tunneled with abandoned gypsum mines. This makes the area relatively unsuitable for commercial development but ideal as a nature park. Many of the sunken trenches and pits around the park are not from surface excavation alone but from the collapse of the underground tunnels where gypsum was mined.

Gypsum was formed when ancient oceans covered this region and deposited material in strata which at this site consist of two parallel layers. One layer is near creek level and the other is at a higher elevation. This is a unique geology for gypsum deposits.

Fall...a time for Magic in the Park...

Fall is not only a time when colors abound in the park but the weather adds its brush to the artwork as well.

Mother nature Dresses up the Park...

Mother nature dresses Oatka Creek Park in spectacular ways when fall arrives.

The Source of Little Acorns...

The mighty oak in fall dress...

Park Main Entrance Road...

The view as one enters Oatka Creek Park on Quaker Road.

A left turn at the yellow gate gets you to the park lodge which was originally the only significant development in the park.

The natural beauty of this park is the limited development consisting of the lodge and surrounding mowed lawn where picnicking activities, frisbee tossing, and other disorganized games are often played. This is what a real nature park is about...nothing scheduled and bussed in routinely but a great place to enjoy the natural surroundings with some limited amenities.

Other limited development in the park consists of some mowed trails in places where navigation would be difficult unless the mower made the occasional pass to limit growth.

The most beautiful trails are those which stay open strictly from human traffic which maintains their natural appearance and which often are not easily detected during the height of the growing season. Walking along some creek paths is like an experience in the jungle at times if one goes there in mid-August.

The View Leaving the Park...

The view of Oatka Creek Park as one leaves the park from the lodge heading out towards the main park entrance at Union Street and Quaker Road. This is Quaker Road.

Quaker Road inside the Park...

Heading west on Quaker Road inside the park. Fall in the park is a natural painting.

Black Cohosh...

Black cohosh. This plant blooms in July and the scent of the bloom reminds me of burning plastic. It would not exactly be a model for some new perfume scent! Prior to knowing the actual name of the plant I referred to it as the "plastic plants".

Black cohosh is seen in the deciduous forest understory and is quite abundant in Oatka Creek Park.

Habitat for Butterflies...

Milkweed...a favorite of the monarch butterfly.

Summer Meadow...

A meadow bordering Oatka Creek in mid-summer.

Woodland Flowers...

Probably a panicle astor among the daisies.

The branch foliage along the stems of the common white daisy can actually be eaten and used on salads. Certain flower blooms themselves are edible.

The most entertaining thing I have ever witnessed was to observe cotton-tail rabbits in my yard plucking dandelions which had gone to seed tops, starting with the bottom of the stem and eating the entire thing, full stem and fuzzy top. At the very end of the feast as the fuzzy seeds went into the mouth, a few seeds which escaped, puffed away on the breeze. I observed this several times and thought it was a rare treat to witness.

Down the Main Trail...

This is the main wide woodland trail through Oatka Creek Park which follows if one jumps the yellow gate at the end of the main access road to the park lodge and continues west. One could actually drive down this beautiful dirt road before the park existed. This is actually the extension of Quaker Road after it crosses Union Street heading west. It eventually turns left and and heads out to Steward Road. The first time I ever drove down this dirt road I thought it was the most unique place I had ever driven a car. The only other road similar to this is Lacey Road which is not too far from here. Check it out some time.

Hairy Vetch...

In the foreground we see hairy vetch, with the violet blooms, growing in and "old field" habitat community. This area was once farmed but is now slowly returning to nature. Trembling aspen trees are also beginning to take over in certain areas. The leaves of this tree shake in the lightest of breeze in a manner mostly characteristic of this tree only.

"Old field" is also generally the most vulnerable to human intervention through development since it tends to require less effort in preparation for uses other than wildlife habitat. It is one of the most threatened and scarce habitat communities in the state.

Indian Pipe...

Monotropa Uniflora...commonly known as indian pipe, ghost plant, or corpse plant is a herbaceous perennial and does not contain chlorophyll. It is a parasitic plant and not light dependent since it obtains energy from its host plants which are photosynthetic trees. These are among the most spectacular and strange plants found in Oatka Creek Park and found in the forested areas and sometimes along heavily shaded paths close to forested areas.

Mushrooms...

There appears to be fungus among us!

I Could be Deadly...

Fungi appeared this particular year around the end of July and were quite spectacular. Some years seem to produce few mushrooms. They are generally found in the heavily shaded forested areas.

Fly Fishing...

Oatka Creek can sometimes be a raging torrent after quick spring snow melts but during the normal summer months it is a beautiful place to walk in the creek and fish.

Green Umbrellas...

May-apple plants emerge from the ground in the early spring and are some of the first signs of life after winter. They eventually unfold into a beautiful umbrella-like leaf and can be seen in groupings all around Oatka Creek Park.

May Apple Flower...

Flower of the may-apple plant.

These plants emerge in early spring and produce beautiful dark green umbrella-like foliage. A single bloom forms, which produces a single fruit or may-apple, which gradually turns a pale yellow when ripe in August. The flesh of the plant is said to have a similar taste to paw-paw.

As with any plant, certain parts may be poisonous to humans. Always consult many sources prior to considering any tasting experiments and better yet, consult professionals with experience before foraging in the forrest.

Summer Flowers...

Blossom of the wild bergamot. These plants can be found all around the park and are said to be most likely found where soils contain abundant calcium. It turns out that gypsum is calcium sulfate dihydrate which was extensively mined here.

Wild bergamot was used by native Americans to cure "eruptions on the face", relieve headaches, and as a cure for abdominal pains. In combination with other plants it is said to have been used to relieve the symptoms of colds.

Bees, butterflies, and humming birds use the plant for nectar.

Oatka Creek in Summer...

Oatka Creek was originally named Allen's Creek after an early settler to this region.

This view is from the concrete bridge which crosses from north on the left to south to the right. The creek bed at this location is a solid slab of rock which makes it ideal for playing "get the stick" with canine companions. Many people have been seen here enjoying the cool water and playing in the creek with their animal buddies.

It is unfortunate that the amount of algae which tends to form here in nasty long strings is a result of runoff from unchecked agricultural businesses, lawn fertilizers, and other sources of nutrients which load the water and enhance algae growth.

Who Dunnit?...

There is overwhelming evidence that beavers live in Oatka Creek Park but unless one has night vision equipment he will not likely observe them in person. Over the years of walking along the creek banks the size of trees which beavers attack is beyond my original expectations of reason. These must be some amazing critters and perhaps some lucky day/night I may actually see one.

Daddy Smokin' his Pipe?...

This is a rare combination of a daddy long legs on an indian pipe plant. Is this another world? Well, it is actually one of the many interesting things to be found in Oatka Creek Park if one proceeds slowly and looks for the small items of interest.

Although jogging through the park or being dragged along by ones dog are popular activities here, they are likely to bypass the subjects which hide and require diligent inspection.

Reptiles...

This eastern garter snake was observed in Oatka Park about mid July one year. I have never seen any other kinds of snakes in this park but I would suspect there may be some other interesting reptiles in their company.

There have of course been the occasional guests to the park who speak with forked tongue but they are mostly only observed at political gatherings which generally occur at the one park lodge at the Union Street/Quaker Road entrance.

Daddy Long Legs...

Daddy long legs are always interesting to observe. They are fascinating and easy to photograph since they are inclined to stay put long enough to capture a good photo. This seems seldom to be the case with butterflies and some other flying insects which tend to be on the move as soon as one faintly considers taking a picture.

Big Fish...

Not being certain what this particular fish happens to be, it will be left to the interested viewer to deduce the prospects. Fishing in Oatka Creek is a major activity here and I have often noted the scent of a distant cigar or pipe as I wander along the creek and eventually spot a fisherman mid-creek rigging a new fly on his line or casting for the denizens of the deep.

White Tail Deer...

White tail deer can frequently be seen in the park and they seem to have a sense that this is a safe place to avoid hunters. I have frequently seen evidence that they cross the less traveled roads at the park boundaries like Stewart Road to raid the farmers' fields and then duck back into the park. Mother nature's thieves are constantly at work. It used to belong to them exclusively.

Spring...

Spring progresses... the dry plants and grasses from prior years will become masked by the new growth which emerges.

This brown meadow will shortly be a new greener scene and a place where many critters will find habitat and food.

Before the Jungle...

This is an area along Oatka Creek where navigation in the early spring is easy. About a month later, this will begin turning into a magic jungle of plants which one would never imagine prior their arrival.

The Fern...

Photography in Oatka Creek Park is something which can range from the barely visible items to be found in great abundance through the progressive capture of plants and animals as they grow and to the bigger scenery views on a large scale.

Each season offers new prospects for viewing as they change.

This fern may be an entirely new subject by the following day or will look more or less interesting when photographed under different lighting conditions throughout the day.

CDB?...DBSABZB!...OSND!!

The park contains a variety of communities or habitat types which support different plants and wildlife. The flower pictured here is along a "hedgerow" adjacent to an "old field".

Types of community or habitat type in Oatka Creek Park:

Developed

Hedgerow

Old field

Shrub upland

Old field/shrub upland

Deciduous forest

Wetland

Stream edge/stream

The undeveloped areas of this park in each community create attractive places for the particular critters which can only thrive on the vegetation which is available there. The bee in this photo is dependent on collecting pollen from flowers which need certain conditions to thrive in abundance. Mankind is capable of removing these communities and bears the responsibility to choose wisely the extent to which he significantly alters the environment.

Ganging up on the Fish...

Many of the most interesting trails along the creek are those resulting from the constant flux of fishermen moving along the banks and finding new ways to enter the creek. Oatka Creek is a great place for fly fishing and it is a rare event when one walks along the creek void of anglers.

Breath Mint...

Skunk cabbage is an early riser in the spring.

Many marshy places of Oatka Creek Park have this plant in abundance.

In Alaska, bears coming out of hibernation often feast on this plant since it is abundant and is more or less the "breath mint" of the hungry foraging omnivors.

Pesto Anyone?...

Garlic mustard blooms in early May. The new spring leaves of this plant can be used to make pesto. The plant is an invasive species and in some places will take over and completely cover an area inhibiting the growth of other native plants. When a leaf is rubbed between the fingers an obvious garlic smell will be noted.

Wood Anemone...

Wood Anemone begin to flower in late May in many places around the park. They are commonly seen along hedge rows, open trails, and places with some shade from the forest canopy. At a glance they are occasionally mistaken for Phlox of which certain varieties are similar in color.

Blue Bells...

A closer view of Virginia Blue Bells photographed 3 May 2009.

Carpet of Blue Bells...

The beginning of May produces a carpet of Virginia Blue Bells along certain sections of the creek flood plane. These areas are often under water as a result of rapid snow melt and emerge in a lush carpet of growth as the weather turns warmer when the waters recede.

It is an annual milepost for many winter-weary park users to inspect the Blue Bells and look for other emerging wild flowers which begin to appear.