News release from the City of Fort Wayne:
Camp Scott Wetlands Offers Twilight Tour on April 20th
See what happens in a wetlands when the sun goes down….(April 8, 2011) – City Utilities invites the public to visit the Camp Scott constructed wetlands for a twilight tour on Tuesday, April 12 beginning at 8:00 PM. The manager of the wetlands will lead the tour that will leave from the main entrance at 8:15 PM. The wetlands is located at 3615 Oxford Street.
The constructed wetlands stores stormwater during rainy periods then releases it to the Maumee River after the storm sewer system has emptied. In addition to providing stormwater storage, the wetlands provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Wildlife seen at Camp Scott includes owls and other birds of prey such as hawks and falcons. Songbirds such as Yellow Rumped Warbler, Cedar Waxwings, several species of swallows, Grey Catbird and Flicker Woodpecker as well as a variety of frogs and turtles are often seen in and around the wetlands. The dead and dying trees in some areas promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and provide a habitat for the Indiana bat.
Camp Scott has been filed with native plants chosen specifically for their ability to help clean stormwater. Wetland and prairie grasses, sedges and rushes have been planted. Aster, coneflower, gallardia, daisy, poppy, Black-Eyed Susan and Butterfly Milkweed flower at various times during year.
The wetlands at Camp Scott is fed by a 1.7 million gallon underground storage tank and pump station located under McMillen Park, 6 blocks west of the wetlands. The underground tank collects stormwater from surrounding neighborhoods during rains. Pumps then send the water through a four foot diameter pipe to the wetlands storage area. Water bubbles up through a stone stricture designed to resemble a natural waterfall. The water then moves through a series of wetlands areas before it enters the two-and-a-half acre storage pond. A three quarter mile path around the preserve lets visitors experience the natural beauty of Camp Scott without disturbing the habitat.
Those attending are encouraged to wear long pants, long sleeves and closed toed shoes. Bringing a jacket may be a good idea. Insect repellent is suggested. This is a nature-oriented walk and is not intended to be frightening.
City Utilities will hold other events at Camp Scott this spring and summer including an afternoon open house on May 11 from 2 PM – 7 PM and a Saturday open house on September 10 from 9 AM – 3 PM. A new event at the wetlands this year will be a morning open house on Saturday, August 6 from 7 AM – 11 AM.
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