Tucked away in the rolling hills of Central Pennsylvania, Wildwood Park (formerly Wildwood Lake Sanctuary) is conveniently located on the edge of Harrisburg, PA.
There are endless opportunities for fun and adventure at Wildwood Park. Explore the Nature Center, walk the trails and boardwalks, ride your bike, pack a picnic lunch, watch the birds, check out the flowers and much more! There is fresh air and good times around every bend. Come and enjoy…it's fun and it's free!
Upcoming Events
5/19/2012
Wandering Wildwood with Photographer Phil Lloyd
5/22/2012
Outdoor Learning Day
6/2/2012
National Trails Day Walk
6/3/2012
Bird Banding Demonstration
6/6/2012
Stress Relief Walk
Weather Forecast
What's Happening at Wildwood Park?
Summer Day Camps
Wildwood Park has announced the dates for 2012 day camps. New this year is a Nature Explorers Day Camp for 5 and 6 year olds. More information
Wildwood Family Triathlon
Kick off Father’s Day weekend with this great family event on Saturday, June 16. Teams of 2 bike 1.6 miles, canoe 0.5 miles and run or walk 1.5 miles. Everyone gets a t-shirt, ribbon and certificate of completion. There will also be prizes, food and fitness exhibitors. More Information
Adopt-a-Turtle
Wildwood Park environmental educators are partnering with the biology department at Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA to study the growth and development of turtles in Wildwood Lake. Your $20 donation will allow us to tag one turtle. Adopt a turtle today!
2012 Photography Contest
The Friends of Wildwood Park announce the 2012 Photography Contest for amateur photographers. The Friends will be accepting photos taken within Dauphin County’s Wildwood Park that reflect wetlands habitat, and/or fauna and convey the conservation values of Wildwood Park.
There are 4 divisions: Youth (12 and younger), Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Choosing a division is solely the decision of the entrant. Judging will be performed by a panel of professional photographers. There are no submission fees. Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in each division. Winning entries will be displayed at the Olewine Nature Center, other venues and published on wildwoodlake.org.
All photographs must be submitted by Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. The official contest rules are posted on the website, in the brochure rack just inside the Nature Center’s front door, or by calling (717) 221-0292. The award ceremony will be held on Sunday, January 6, 2013 from 1:00- 4:00 PM at the Olewine Nature Center.
Download brochure and contest rules »
Download Digital Manipulation information »
Trail & Bird Sighting Info
TRAILS:
All trails are open.
SIGHTINGS:
May 12
Water birds seen - Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Green Heron, Killdeer, Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper
Raptors - Osprey, Peregrin Falcon
Warblers - Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, American Redstart, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat
May 10
The following is a combination of reports of sightings from the North Boardwalk:
1 Sora, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 2 Solitary Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Sandpiper, 1 Tennessee Warbler, 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler, 8 American Redstart, 5 Yellow Warbler, 1 Ovenbird, 2 Northern Waterthrush, 1 Blackpoll Warbler, 2 Louisiana Waterthrush, 2 Common Yellowthroat, 5 Yellow Rumped Warbler, 1 Palm Warbler, 1 Northern Parula, 1 Bay-breasted Warbler, 1 Baltimore Oriole, 2 Warbling Vireo, 1 White Crowned Sparrow
May 9
Blackpoll Warblers singing around the Nature Center this morning.
May 6
A report from the Towpath Trail includes Osprey flying over, Canada Geese with goslings, Mallards, Wood Ducks, Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Green Herons and several young Northern Water Snakes.
May 4
A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird was spotted at the hummingbird feeder this morning. This is the first of the year for this species. The Rose-breasted Grosbeaks continue to be seen at the feeders.
May 2
Excellent birding conditions this week at Wildwood! 4 male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks visiting the feeders on and off all day. Shorebirds thick throughout the marsh. A bird walk yesterday turned up Veery, Yellow-throated Vireo and others along the North Boardwalk. An ovenbird is singing east of the nature center.
May 1
Two Black-crowned Night Herons were seen in the canal along the Towpath Trail.
Red Admiral butterflies are present in abundance throughout the park.
April 30
Black locust trees are blooming and smell wonderful.
American Redstarts are singing near the entrance to the North Boardwalk.
April 28
Report from the North Boardwalk:
1 Rusty Blackbird
1 Black & White Warbler
4 American Redstart
15 Yellow Rumped Warbler
4 Yellow Warbler
1 Louisiana Waterthrush
1 Palm Warbler
2 Warbling Vireo
2 Wood Thrush
1 Solitary Sandpiper
several Gray Catbird
2 Dark-eyed Junco
