WOODSIDE URBAN PARK in Silver Spring was established in 1889. This is my feature of a small city park environment that encourages all generations to enjoy everything wonderful about nature in a fun playground garden. There is a prominent plaque of Harry Sanders connection to this wonderful park honoring his commitment to community.
Woodside was acquired in 1973 by the M-NCPPC In 2010 Montgomery County Department with input from Silver Spring community created a modern playground with a tennis court, basketball court, handball courts, and skate Park.
Also improvements to this nature park with picnic tables, benches, and small seat tables near play game courts and grassed settings. I believe the Park Development Division of the Montgomery County Department of Parks has created wonderful concepts of planning for Woodside Park. I hope it also takes note of the micro wildlife habitat within the park as improvements continue..
During the week young families visit in mornings and afternoons and enjoy the play picnic areas. Local bus transport stops on the park entrance of Georgia Ave. Also car parking both sides of Spring street makes for easy park access. Local office people take advantage of the outdoors for lunch as do many senior folk that walk the wonderful park of flora, sculpture, and view a striking designed fountain. Many locals just read books and news in such an ideal setting. After school and weekends youth and families make use of the sport facilities and always a picnic attraction of leisure for locals. Many visit with dogs on leash. The area is such that the design portrays largeness yet is a confined area of 2/3 Acres. I sighted many creatures within the habitat of the trees and native garden flora.
Flora. Ascetically mature trees shaded the park landscape such as the White Oak, Eastern White Pine, Eastern Birch, Ginkgo Tree, Eastern Hemlock, Eastern Burning Bush, Yellow poplar, Red Maple, American Basswood, Sweet Gum, European Larch, Roughleaf Dogwood, Oaks, and grand old American Holly.
Amazingly are large variety of plants were in flower including common wildflowers. A nice red Dahlia, Foxtail bristle grass, Hydrangea, Also native plant species Chrysogonum Virginianum, Muhlenbergia, Rudbeckia fulgida deamii, Gaura lindheimeri, Vaccinium angustifolium, and Penstemon digitalis -Husker Red. Too many long named species to recall but such a beautiful sight of color.
Fauna. The animals, birds, and the little creatures are there to see if one looks closely on tree bark and on the flowers being pollinated as the creatures moved around the park. I photographed Annual Cicadas, Leaf hoppers, squirrels, a praying mantis, ants, spiders, American Robin, Mocking Bird,Northern cardinals and even geese made a short early morning visit .
Early in the morning, A skipper moth, Cabbage butterflies, a Buckeye butterfly, Swallowtail, Skipper, and Carpenter and Honey bees.
Photos. I have created a 3D Gallery of Woodside. I hope people in the USA will cherish these micro nature habitats of local parks, especially for our young to enjoy nature and outdoor activities!