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Hawthorne Park

Physical Features

Geology

Iron in water

In Hawthorne Park there are two main bodies of water, Bon Accord Creek and Hawthorne Stream. On the sides of the streams, there are large, white granite rocks lining the edge. It appears so that the rocks were put there by workers, are positioned in a specific way so that over time, when erosion occurs, the river will not widen, which would cause structural problems, or unstable grounds. In Hawthorne Park, the soil has traces of till, iron, calcium, salt, and magnesium. Calcium is found from the heavy precipitation in the Guildford area. Iron is very common in stream paths and can be spotted if the area of water and rocks are tinted with a copper tone.

Groundwater

Groundwater is found in the soil, sand and rocks. It fills in the spaces between the soil particles. Groundwater supplies are replenished by rain or snow melt the seep through the ground.This is often useful for desert-like areas. Groundwater is pumped from below the earth’s surface.

Landscape

Streams in Hawthorne Park

The landscape in Hawthorne park is mostly flat with small hills. Hawthorne park is similar to the plains in some areas, a large, flat area. The land near these streams and rivers is very fertile. This feature in the park makes it good land for flowers and plants, which attracts different species of bugs and wildlife in the area. The landscape of this park is also slightly similar to the plateaus, a high, desert-like area. Although the park is not dry and infertile like the plateaus, there are small hills and 'up-and-down' trails. Rivers in Hawthorne park don't flow as often in plateaus, therefore they are more dry than the plains.The plateaus are not as fertile. Hawthorne Park has many artificial objects such as small wooden bridges,erratic boulders to prevent erosion, granite rocks, small fences, and trails.

Trails

A Trail in Hawthorne Park

Walking along the nature trails through Hawthorne Park will only take less than an hour because the trails are approximately 2.6 kilometres long. Considering that Hawthorne Park is a deciduous forest, there are many trees in and around the park. However, the three main trees that the forest consists of are the Paper Birch, the Red Alder and the Black Cottonwood tree. Another popular tree that is in Hawthorne Park is the Dogwood tree which is British Columbia’s official tree. When walking along the trails, you can hear birds chirping in the trees and some of the other wildlife that live in and around the park can be heard as well. One of most common animals that is seen in the park are the ducks. They are usually found swimming in the pond. Some other animals that live in the park but are not seen as much are the geese, the squirrels, the bees and the butterflies. Even though the trails are considered as "multi-use" pathways, they are quite rocky. Since the trails are not paved, cyclists who are planning on bike riding through the park, should be sure that the bike's tires are appropriate for trails.

History

Aboriginal

QayQayt First Nation Territory

A few aboriginal groups inhabited the area around Hawthorne Park include Sto:lo, Coast Salish peoples, Kwantlen First Nation, Qayqayt (Pronounced: Kee-Kite) First Nations, Tsawwassen First Nation, Squamish Nation,Musqueam Indian Band, and Semiahmoo First Nation. One of the closest groups to Hawthorne Park, are the Qayqayt. The Qayqayt are an aboriginal group that lived very close to the area. Sadly, there are not very many members left in the Qayqayt tribe. Almost all of the members were wiped out by the small pox epidemic. They went from 400 members to only 6 officials and up to 100 rumored to still be alive. Since there are so little left they lost almost all of their land including the area around Hawthorne Park. When the government found out that there were still Qayqayt members, they received special permission to fish in the Fraser River.

Wildlife

Plants

Native

There are many native plants in Hawthorne park. Native means that the plants that grow in their home environment are native to that area. native plants are good because they are already adapted to the weather conditions in the area, help wildlife, and last but not least they are beautiful and help the ecosystem. A couple of the trees in Hawthorne Park are Betula papyrifera (paper birch), red alder, Populus trichocarpa (black cottonwood), and more. Many benefits of native plants in Hawthorne Park are that it cuts down the amount of pesticide used. Native plants also improve the air quality and maintains the bodies of water.

Salmon Berries, an example of a native plant in Hawthorne Park

Native plants are plants that are restricted to a certain area, occur naturally, and grow without human help, not like non-native plants that have been introduced by human activity. In Hawthorne Park there are many different types of native plants for example, the salmon berry, the cedar trees and more. Native plants in Hawthorne Park are shelters for different types of animals and are a food source for mammals. Native plants can also protect themselves from many different types of bacteria. They have protein inside them to protect them from bacteria. Native plants also absorb excess run-off. Native plants need less water than normal plants.

Pacific Dogwood

Pacific dogwood at Hawthorne park facing south west

A Pacific Dogwood is a type of Dogwood that can be found in the western part of North America from the lower land of British Columbia to the mountains of California. This tree can grow up to 10 to 20 metres tall. The leaves are opposite. The leaves have pointed tips and a slightly toothed edge. Its veins are also visible. The flowers are small. The white petals are actually a type of leaf and are called "bracts".

Paper Birch

Paper Birch at Hawthorne Park

The Paper Birch is a small to medium sized deciduous tree. Paper Birch trees reach the height of 30 meters tall. The bark peels in papery strips, white to copper-brown, is smooth, and marked with brown horizontal lines. The leaves are an oval, rounded shape and is sharp-pointed. They are about 10 cm long, sometimes they are very shallowly lobed, dull green above, or paler and hairy below.

Western Hemlock

Western Hemlock at Hawthorne Park, Surrey BC

A common-looking Western Hemlock consists of a height usually around 60 meters with a narrow crown. The Western Hemlock is not a deciduous tree, and that is why the branches swoop downwards. It is because if it snows around the winter time, it will be easy for the snow to fall off itself. The bark is scaly, rough, and reddish-brown in colour. The needles can be identified by their short, flat, blunt and inadequate sized length.

Salmonberry

File:Salmonberry in Hawthorne Park.jpg

A fully ripened Salmonberry.

The Salmonberry is a another commonly found berry in Hawthorne Park and is usually mistaken as a raspberry. A fully matured Salmonberry is a yellow-red sort of colour and has a sort of sweet and sour taste. When the plant shoot is at a young age and raw, it is edible. Similar to the raspberry and blackberry, the Salmonberry is also a compound berry. The Salmonberry grows in moist coastal forests like Hawthorne Park.

Mint and Lavender

The other edible plant is the mint also called "mentha". Its not freshly eaten because it has to go through a process to make it edible same thing with lavender (lavandula) , its not freshly eaten and also has to got through a process in order to make it into a herb. you can rub the leaves for both lavender and mint (mentha) to smell it.

Red Elderberries

Red Elderberries at Hawthorne Park

Many parts of the red elderberry are poisonous when eaten. The wood, bark, leaves, raw flowers, and the fruit contain cyanogenic glycosides that should not be eaten. A common symptom after eating a red elderberry is at abdominal aching. However, when cooked the berry is safe to eat.

Meadow or Tall Buttercups

Meadow or tall buttercups at Hawthorne Park

Can cause intense pain and burning of mucous membranes. Can also cause blisters on sensitive skin that are difficult to heal. Touching poisonous buttercup might also increase the risk of sunburn. Fresh buttercups blister the mouths of grazing animals and can cause salivation, pains, diarrhea, slow heartbeat, muscle spasms, blindness and rarely death. Meadow buttercups also have a narcotic effect on cattle and give a bitter taste to their milk. Human poisoning from buttercups is very rare. In the past, meadow buttercups were used as medicine, but caused blisters, pimples, and plague sores. Meadow or Tall buttercups are very common at Hawthorne Park.

Invasive

Periwinkle

Periwinkle plant in Hawthorne Park, taken facing South-East.

Periwinkle is a plant from the Apocynaceae family. Periwinkle is considered invasive to Hawthorne Park because it is grows exceedingly fast, and takes up space that native plants need.

They are usually found in forests, along streams or road sides and produce flowers in March and April. Periwinkle comes in different variations of colour. The flower’s colour can be either blue or violet. The leaves are about 2 - 3cm long and the colour of the leaves and stem are dark green. Periwinkle was brought to North America, originally came from Europe.

Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle in Hawthorne Park

The stinging nettle is a plant from the Urticaceae family. They are widely invasive and copulate quickly. The Stinging Nettle is usually quite easy to identify, being comprised of a tall weed with spikes on the end of each of its leaves.Upon human or animals contact with the spikes,a stinging sensation is caused. This sensation leads to a rash with visible bumps. Aside from the harmful rash, the stinging nettle can be used as a medicinal herb to treat several medical problems. Insects and animals have also been known to eat the roots of the Stinging Nettle despite the sting. The Stinging Nettle generally grows in large patches and altogether takes up a significant amount of space. Although Stinging Nettle is used to treat painful muscles and joints, touching this plant could cause itching and burning to the skin or can cause irritation to the skin. Stinging Nettle can also cause low blood pressure, higher or lower blood sugar levels, and digestive discomfort. The fine hairs on the leaves and stems contain irritating chemicals that are released when the plant comes in contact with the skin. The spines on the plant are very painful to touch.

Himalayan Blackberry

Himalayan Blackberry flowers.

The Himalayan Blackberry provides food for many animals in Hawthorne Park. However, the blackberry is a widely known invasive species that takes up quite a lot of space and strangles, or suffocates plants underneath or around it. It can also prevent trees from getting sunlight and water. For humans, the blackberry can limit a path when it overgrows. This makes it harder for humans and or animals to pass considering the fact that the stems of the plant are covered in large thorns. Dead stems and leaves could also pile up and obstruct a walkway or trail.

Himalayan Blackberries.

The Himalayan Blackberry is one of the most popular berries in Hawthorne Park. They can be distinguished by their large thorns with red tips on the stem and on the undersides of the leaves. When the blackberries are fully matured they are very sweet, but when they are not, they are quite sour. You can preserve a Himalayan Blackberry by drying it. Blackberries are an example of a compound berry, just like raspberries. Compound berries consist of a tight cluster of smaller pieces, and are usually edible. Blackberries are edible.

English Holly

Holly leaves in Hawthorne Park, taken facing South.

Visually appealing for its glossy leaves and bright red berries, English Holly is popular plant amongst gardeners. It grows well, regardless of shade or sun.However English Holly consumes a lot of water, growing fast, and taking up a lot of space, causing problems to native species. It also produces red berries, which are poisonous to humans and many animals, but edible to birds.

English Ivy

Identified by its green colour, and habit to climb up tall trees and buildings. English Ivy is both good and bad. This plant attracts bees, and butterflies, its berries offer food for birds and other animals. However, English Ivy is evergreen and grows very quickly. It climbs onto trees and strangles them, depriving them of new growth.

Morning Glory

Morning Glory strangling a Hydrangea bush, taken in Hawthorne Park facing West.

This plant appears to be a harmless flower, but what civilians do not know, is that Morning Glory can grow out of control and breach the personal space of other plants. Its effects and habit are similar to the English Ivy, however this plant isn't all cons, it's fragrant scent attracts butterflies and bees. The Morning Glory’s appearance is also considered attractive.( To humans. ) When you walk through Hawthorne Park you might not see Morning Glory. This is because Morning Glory is a seasonal plant. This particular flower is normally seen in the summer and in the fall. It is rarely seen in the spring, unlike most plants, and in the the winter, typical of seasonal vegetation.

Scotch Broom

Scotch Broom is from the Fabaceae family. It grows fast and competes with native species for sunlight, water, and nutrients. Scotch Broom reproduces very fast and its seeds travel farther with human interaction by clinging to their clothes or cars. Its large size and thickness makes it difficult for large animals to pass-through them. There opaque thickets can also increase the chance of wildfires.

Nurse Tree

Nurse trees are any species of tree that is the largest and the fastest growing tree in the world. They provide shade for little trees, plants, insects, and animals in the forest. In Hawthorne Park, Nurse Trees are located by streams and water and are surrounded by little plants. They also contain a lot of holes so small animals can live in them. Nurse log are nurse trees that have fallen, are usually covered in moss and whose primary contribution is providing shade for little animals. Also, a Nurse Stump is formed at the original location of a Nurse Tree when it falls. Whether it is a Nurse Tree, Nurse Log or Nurse Stump, many animals including crank worms, aphid, tent caterpillars, skeletonizer, wasps and hornets will usually be found habituating there.

An example of a Nurse stump in Hawthorne Park