Herrick Memorial Trail
Immerse yourself in the sounds of the forest along our exciting Herrick Memorial trail. A picturesque walk featuring 156 stairs stretching over a 1/4 mile–starts in the upland woods, continues down into the lowlands and ultimately ends in the wetlands. The trailhead can be found north of Treehouse Village approximately halfway around the main loop. Surrounded by broadleaf trees small and large, this trail offers visitors an opportunity to walk through time.
As you advance down and across the trail look closely at the plants and other vegetation around you as it demonstrates an ecosystem teaming with life and biodiversity. This trail offers a closer look at Iowa’s wetland and the natural processes that influence the organisms on the ground.
What is a wetland and why are they important? A wetland is a low-lying area of land that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally. Much of the plant species you will find in the wetland play a significant role in the filtration of water, creation of shelter and habitat, as well as provide food and breeding grounds for other wildlife. For example, migratory birds use wetlands as a stopover when on their journey.
Some species you may encounter include native Iowa hardwood trees and rare spring ephemerals. Plants include: Acer saccharinum, Acer Nigrum, Celtis occidentalis, Quercus bicolor, Populus deltoides, Salix species, Platanus occidentalis, Tilia americana, Cornus alternifolia, Fraxinus species, Hydrophyllum virginianum, Ostrya virginiana, Glyceria striata, Bromus inermis, many Carex species, Elymus virginicus, Silphium perfoliatum, Asclepias incarnata, Bidens cernua, Pycnanthemum virginianum, Hepatica acutiloba and many more.
Though the trail comes to a dead end, it is worth every step. In the near future Herrick Memorial trail will connect visitors to the northwestern slope of Walnut trail, where they may continue their adventures through Iowa’s woodlands.
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