Volunteers from Granger Community Church (GCC) recently spread playground mulch, built bird boxes, and planted trees at Harris Township Park as part of their ongoing 4Michiana campaign to serve local community organizations. Check out the program at their web site gccwired.com, or navigate there via our Partners page.
Dozens of wonderful volunteers gave their Saturday morning this spring to improve the park. We are very grateful! Special thanks to Jeanna, Cassie, Dale, Jon and Shelly.
Come to the park this summer to check out the softer play’ground’, and in 20 years to admire the walnut trees bordering the toll road.
It took until June, but a bluebird was spotted at Harris Township Park. It is nesting in a bluebird box that was installed earlier this year.
Thanks again to the Audubon Society, and specifically Laura Fuderer who took these pictures on June 19th. Interested in seeing wildlife up close? Volunteer.
Laura Fuderer, Conservation Chair of the South Bend – Elkhart Audubon Society, has been keeping track of the birds frequenting Harris Township Park.
Here is the list of birds spotted at Harris Township Park:
- Canada Goose
- Wood Duck (a pair)
- Mallard
- Turkey
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Killdeer (confirmed nesting)
- Gull species (Ring-billed?)
- Mourning Dove
- Northern Flicker
- Eastern Kingbird
- Blue Jay
- American Crow
- American Robin
- European Starling
- Chipping Sparrow
- Song Sparrow
- Northern Cardinal
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Common Grackle
- House Finch
- Cedar Waxwing
-
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
-
Eastern Towhee
-
Bluebird (breeding)
- House Sparrow
- Baltimore Oriole (breeding)
- Gray Catbird
- Brown-headed Cowbird
- Green Heron
- Horned Larks
- Barn Swallows
This list will be updated ongoing! (last update from 7/26/2015 visit)
Thanks to volunteers, including from Granger Community Church, over 100 trees were recently planted at Harris Township Park.
The trees, mostly saplings, were obtained from the Soil and Water Conservation District of St. Joseph County.
Walnut trees now border the southern end of the park, along the Indiana Toll Road.
A variety of fruit trees were planted along the western edge of the park, along Gast Ditch and near the bluebird boxes that were installed earlier in the year.
Thanks to all those who helped. If you’re interested in planting trees, we’ll do it again so let us know you’d like to help – then plan on driving by with a loved one in 20 years to show off the much taller results your work!
