Wetlands are permanently or seasonally waterlogged areas that provide unique and specialized habitat for a great variety of species that can't live anywhere else. Wetland ponds that are not accessible to fish are used as critical breeding, rearing and adult habitat for many species, particularly snapping turtles, garter snakes, salamanders, newts and frogs. Permanent pools also provide habitat for such waterfowl as mallards, and provide food for other birds and mammals.

The wetland was designed to permit seasonally high water from the Credit River and Silver Creek to spill into it, as would have occurred before the area was filled in to support a trailer park. Now, the effects of the natural floodplain have been restored.

Native shrubs, trees and wetland plants have been planted around the wetland, replacing the mainly non-native grasses and weeds. A dense planting of native trees and shrubs will provide a range of ecosystem functions and habitat opportunities for wildlife. Trees and shrubs along the river banks protect against erosion and enhance the water quality by trapping sediment. Overhanging branches provide shade to the creek, moderating water temperature in summer and adding organic matter to the creek, providing food for a healthy aquatic ecosystem. As the trees and shrubs mature, the wetland will come to resemble a treed swamp.

A wheelchair-accessible viewing platform lets you get safely close to the wetland in order to observe the wildlife.



Frog Monitoring

This wetland is a good place to take part in the Frog Monitoring Program. Frogs and toads are very sensitive to the quality of water, air and habitat. They are therefore good indicators of the state of wetlands. Where their numbers are dwindling, there may be environmental threats to their habitat. For this reason, volunteers regularly collect data on the populations and kinds of frogs and toads they can notice.

Frogs are most apparent in the spring and early summer, when they make distinctive mating calls during their breeding season. Volunteers can learn to identify these calls and estimate the number of frogs and toads heard. Data that is submitted to Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) is added to an important database of information about frogs and toads.

For information about participating in frog monitoring, contact CVC at 905-670-1615.

Visit FROG WATCH to hear the calls and to see the frogs that can be found in Willow Park and in Ontario.

Bullfrog -Rana catesbeiana

Gray TreeFrog -Hyla versicolor

Northern Leopard Frog -Rana pipiens