Deetz Nature Preserve, named for retired Maintenance Director, Thomas Deetz, became park property in 2006. Located at the intersection of Parrot Road and Hartzell Road, Deetz Nature Preserve is 72 acres of low lying wetland area. The perserve, now a beautiful, natural area, was donated by Waste Management. The area has been replanted with native grasses and the reforestation process has been started with the planting of many young trees. The area has multiple mowed trails, a parking area and an outdoor classroom. The area is a fantastic location for leisure walks, bird hiking, and nature watching.

Amenities:       

• Multiple natural trail loops
• Outdoor Classroom
• Gravel Parking

Why areas like the Deetz Nature Preserve are Critical:

• Wetlands also release vegetative matter into rivers, which helps feed fish in the rivers.

•  Wetlands prevent flooding by acting as a holding area for an overabundance of water and retaining water until it can slowly be released. This allows wetlands help keep river levels normal and filter and purify the surface water. 

•  Wetlands help to counter balance the human effect on rivers by rejuvenating them and surrounding ecosystems. 

•  Many animals that live in other habitats use wetlands for migration or reproduction.

• Unlike most other habitats, wetlands directly improve other ecosystems. Because of its many cleansing benefits, wetlands have been compared to kidneys. The analogy is good one. Wetlands and kidneys both help control water flow and cleanse the system.

• Wetlands help with erosion control. Tall, native plants help to keep erosion at bay

• Wetlands also clean the water by filtering out sedimentation, decomposing vegetative matter and converting chemicals into useable form. 

•  While wetlands are truly unique, they must not be thought of as isolated and independent habitat. To the contrary, wetlands are vital to the health of all other biomes and to wildlife and humans everywhere. 

While wetlands are truly unique, they must not be thought of as isolated and independent habitat. To the contrary, wetlands are vital to the health of all other biomes and to wildlife and humans everywhere.