While doing a pre-Labor Day check that all dispensers have flyers and trails were in walkable condition, we ran into this smart family. They had been headed to New Hampshire for Labor Day weekend, but decided to escape the stalled out highway and discovered they were right near Mary Cummings Park, so why not take a nice walk and let traffic clear?
We asked for a photo since they were enjoying the park, wished them a great Labor Day weekend. Always great to know this precious piece of open space is still a refuge for those seeking a little escape from civilization.
Mary Leach of the Lowell Sun did a nice photo-article on Mary Cummings Park which is viewable on their website. Mary took note of many aspects of the park, including our trails, trail signs, kiosks with maps, the flyers at Flyer’s Field, and our friendly frogs.
photo of trail at Mary Cummings Park by Mary Leach
We run into all sorts of visitors to the park, particularly during the summer, when Flyer’s Field and Central Field put on a spectacular show of wildfowers.
Recently we ran into these two hardy walkers, who had started in Woburn at the soccer field on Cambridge Street, hiked up the steep hill into Whispering Hill Woods, then through Central Field to Flyer’s Field, where I was just releasing two fresh born monarch butterflies. These two fellows have been around Horn Pond and Mary Cummings Park for years, and had many connections to both parks. Great guys, glad to share monarchs with them.
Recently, a park visitor was very impressed with the view of Flyer’s Field that she got when she emerged from the woodland trail. She took a photo and sent it to us to share:
Speaking of Flyer’s Field, it continues to put on a spectacular show of wildflowers this summer, as does Central Field. These two wildflower meadows are a big part of what makes Mary Cummings Park special. Open meadows are critical habitat for many species, and without beavers to dam up streams, we have few meadows within our reforested New England. Don’t miss the splendor:
As we were leaving the park the other night, a friend noticed a group of monarch butterflies roosting on a goldenrod stalk, in what appears to be a mating situation.
Two monarchs are mating back to back, two others are waiting nearby.
I took photos with telephoto lens so as not to disturb them. To see this magnificent but threatened species reproducing at Mary Cummings Park is a positive sign.
Many of you wrote to tell us our birdhouse residents are Tree Swallows, and are on the desirable list of possible tenants.
And these sweet creatures have deposited 4 eggs in their nest. And while she is away collecting food, she covers the eggs with a feather, which is just too sweet for words.
(Mother Nature is determined to take our minds off of the ugly construction noises coming from Northeastern’s Campus?)
Our bluebird houses have attracted attention of birds! Most houses have some straw in them, one has a nearly complete nest. Do we know what species we have attracted? Not yet. The fuzzy bird photo is not clear enough, but we will go back with telephoto lenses to get good pictures.
We also are not yet skilled enough to recognize what sort of bird nest is being built by looking at it.
But it is nice to know we are working in some sort of partnership with mother nature. Seeing Mr. and Mrs. Bird raising a family in a house we put there for them is sweet.
If you wish to observe these birdhouses, in Central Field, please don’t get too close and drive the birds away! There are eight houses there, in four pairs of two, the ideas being that one of each pair is for aggressive birds, and the other is for “good” birds, like our fabled bluebirds.
After the warm, warm fall, the first snow and cold was a bit of surprise…
After the warm, warm fall, the first snow and cold was a bit of surprise, but dressing up and going out to the park provided fun for a happy couple, a gonzo runner, a snow-covered photog, and various winter scenes.
Our recent fundraising email was very successful. Not only did we raise a good portion of the legal debts we owe for saving the park, but we were also very encouraged to know that you folks are out there, in support of our work. And remember, if you didn’t donate but would like to do so, our online donation page is always here.
We are very happy to report that the Veteran’s lost service dog was found safe at Mary Cummings Park. Thanks to all who looked and found it. Ironically, the pooch got loose on Veterans Day.
The President of The Friends of Mary Cummings Park was recently spotted painting the roofs of all the kiosks with preservative, in preparation for another New England winter.
This is typical for our Steve: he doesn’t make a fuss, he just quietly goes out and does what needs doing. And he has been a steady hand as our President, through some difficult times.
All 7 kiosks were built by and paid for by The Friends, and are stocked with fresh maps on a regular basis, so your contributions are much appreciated. Your support pays for more maps and even for the preservative that Steve uses on the roof shingles.
