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Map of Hershey’s Mill Natural Areas and Paths
Hershey’s Mill North Nature Trail starts at the parking lot near the Cove. If you walk around the Cove you will discover Ridley Creek. And along the creek is the location of our nature trail. There are a few benches located along the trail. You might see a Great Blue Heron walking along in the creek or hunting for frogs & fish in the small pond on the left side of the trail.
A few dead trees offer habitat for our resident Woodpeckers. Birds depend on vegetation as a perfect hiding place as they forage for insects. The trees & vegetation also protect the banks of Ridley Creek from erosion.
Further along the trail several native trees & other plants are located. About halfway on the right of the trail, there is a bench located very close to the water’s edge–a wonderful place to sit & listen to the babbling brook. And finally, you will come to Chandler where there is another bench to sit & relax.
Walk south past the Community Gardens to find the Nature Group’s demonstration Native Plant Garden. About thirty species of native plants are there for your enjoyment & to inspire you to plant them in your garden or Village common areas. Visit throughout the seasons to see different blooms & butterflies. Along the creek, invasive vines have been removed & are being replaced by native shrubs and trees. The restoration efforts will enhance the value of the woodland to wildlife as well as reduce flood impacts & erosion while protecting water quality. Walk along the wood chip path to the creek edge to enjoy abundant bird life or take a seat at the picnic table to watch the pollinator activity. Field guides are available in the Little Library to acquaint you with the wildlife.
As you walk around the Winter Storage Lagoon enjoying the ducks, take a detour down the ramp at the south end to the South Nature Trail. This path takes you past a wetland & pond created by a stormwater management feature. The pond bordered by native vegetation is frequented by wood ducks & mallards in summer. As you continue along the trail, to the right is a meadow in a pipeline right of way that at the right time of year is resplendent with jewelweed, cardinal flower, milkweed, or asters. Further on you enter a bit of woodland where a bench is a convenient place to watch woodpeckers busy on the dead tree trunks or listen for song sparrows. Continuing along the upstream portion of the wetland, red-winged blackbirds thrive in the reeds and cattails. You can return to the lagoon or continue to Chandler and extend your walk around the community.
Hershey’s Mill residents can enjoy a truly rare natural community in the Serpentine Barrens. While once a more widespread feature of the Pennsylvania/Maryland borderlands, serpentine barrens are a global rarity. The remaining intact natural barrens are to be treasured. Serpentine rock is far from ideal habitat for plants. Specially adapted goldenrod, violets, asters, & milkweed are miniature versions of their more common relatives & may disappear if not protected. There is also a unique serpentine wetland area. Temple University botanists are conducting research on our barrens. The Nature Group has been preventing the deterioration of this community by removing invasive species & preventing woody plant succession. The Serpentine Barrens path starts at Chandler across from Troon & ends at a pair of benches from which the prairie vista can be enjoyed.