A)
Tupelo Bottom and observation deck
B)
Blackgum Bottom and bench
C)
Round Lake Canoe Launch (primitive)
D)
Fern Bottom
E)
Slough Crossing
F)
Swamp Overlook and bench
G)
Barton’s Beach (The Nature Conservancy)
H)
Heron Rookery
Facilities:
X) Pavilion
and Picnic Area
Y) Parking,
Restrooms, and Aerial Photo of the Park
Z) Concrete
Boat Ramp (canoes and flat-bottom boats only)
V) Covered Bridge
W)
Special
Plants:*
Old Growth Trees – Bald Cypress, Cherrybark Oak, Swamp Chestnut Oak, Overcup Oak, Sand Post Oak, Basswood (Tilia var. caroliniana), Hickories (Red, Shagbark, Water, and Pignut), Water and Swamp Tupelos, Florida Maple, Hophornbeam, Blackgum, Water-Elm, Slippery Elm, Sweetbay, American Beach, Carolina Silverbell, Pawpaw
Understory Plants – Fern Colonies, Cardinal Flower, American Beautyberry, Native Deciduous Pink Azalea (Rhododendron nudiflorum), Swamp Lily, other Lily spp.
*
Identification labels have been placed on many trees.
Perry Lakes Park
contains a roofed pavilion, restroom facilities, a covered bridge, and a
100-foot tall birding tower designed and constructed by Architecture graduates
from Auburn University’s Rural Studio Program. These facilities as well as the
picnic area are supplied with fresh water from the City of Marion. The trail
system was designed and established by Dr. Thomas H. Wilson, Judson College
Biologist, along with NRCS and Judson College Earth Team volunteers. Funds for the Park Project were allocated
from ADECA, the ALA-TOM Resource Conservation and Development Council, the
State of Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee, Alabama Power, and
private contributions.
Park Hours:
The Park is open daily from daylight until dark and is free of charge to
the public.
Absolutely no motorized vehicles off of the
entrance gravel road!
Web site: http://www.perrylakes.org
Contact:
Thomas Wilson, email:
Perry
Lakes Park, including the adjacent Marion State Hatchery woods and ponds and
the Barton’s Beach Cahaba River Preserve, is 800 acres of old growth hardwood
bottoms, oxbow lakes, swamps, sloughs, streams, hammocks, and high ground
environs.
The Park contains 7 miles of interpretive nature
trails. Approximately 5 miles of trails
are converted fire lanes (marked in red). Two miles of trails are primitive
footpaths (marked in blue) which provide an intimate experience within the old
growth bottomlands. Many tree species are labeled including several that have
been designated as Alabama State Champion Trees. A concrete boat ramp
(designated Z on the map and used for canoes and flat-bottom boats only) exists
on the heavily silted and shallow Perry Lake. Middle, Round, and Secret Lakes
are best explored from the Round Lake canoe launch (designated C on the map)
located on the Ridge Trail primitive footpath.
In addition to the great diversity of trees,
shrubs, and ferns, the Park also offers an abundance of wildlife. Known for its
outstanding birding opportunities, the Park lakes support a large heron rookery
along with an abundance of songbirds. A 100-foot tall canopy birding tower
allows for an exciting view of the forest and oxbow swamps. The Park/Hatchery
bird list contains 206 species of birds. The Prothonotary Warbler, also known
as Audubon’s Swamp Warbler, is the signature
representative of Perry Lakes Park.