Sandra Richardson Park Mary McCann Park (also see separate entry for Mary McCann) (near Milan in York Township, Washtenaw County) ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "The Farmers" To: "Bruce M. Bowman" Subject: Sandra Richardson Park / Mary McCann Park Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 11:30:47 -0500 Bruce, Although I've recorded few species of special interest from either site, I'll suggest the two sites where I spend much of my time because of my seat on the York Township Parks Committee. They are the Township's Sandra Richardson Park (entrance and parking lot on the E. side of Platt Rd. 1/2 mile south of Willis Rd.) and Mary McCann Park (entrance and small parking lot on the E. side of Warner Rd. 4/10 mile south of Bemis Road.) Both parks were once part of the Ypsilanti State Hospital grounds. Both parks are crossed by intermittent streams that feed into the Saline River. Both have been the recipients of grants from such sources as the Michigan DNR, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The CARES grant program of the Saline Area Schools, and the Wildflower Association of Michigan as we work to build them into facilities to preserve and protect our local natural resources while educating the public to the importance of natural areas and biodiversity. Richardson Park is 125 acres featuring 55 acres of maturing oak-hickory woods, a 75-year-old orchard in serious decline, a small plot of returning pseudo-prairie, and an old field now regaining it's pre-settlement vegetation typical of an oak savannah, along with the soccer fields of the Saline Area Soccer Association. McCann Park totals 37 acres -- 3/5 of which is a maturing wet forest of oak and hickory. The remainder is an old field area between the woods and the Ann Arbor Railroad . That part is currently under development as an Environmental Education/Passive Recreation Area designed for casual nature walks as well as more formal guided tours for school classes and similar groups. Eventually the collection of small habitat plots, including a small pond constructed through a grant from the US Fish and Wildlife service, should act as a small magnet for many species. One or more Northern Mockingbirds have been seen there, as well as a variety of raptors. (This facility is my baby. I suggested the idea to the Parks Committee and have since accepted the role of project manager until development is completed sometime this year or next. I'd be most interested in feedback from the birding and enviromental communities regarding the site and will entertain suggestions to increase its effectiveness in achieving its mission.) I'll leave you to your discretion as to whether you add these York Twp. spots to your list or not. If you or anyone else should be induced by this mention to visit either site, I'd welcome their sharing of sighting for me to add to my own growing species lists for the sites. I'd be happy to answer questionis by email, phone (734-439-1297) , or letter to John Farmer @ 13475 N. Petersburg Road; Milan, MI 48160. John F.