Wade Park

Wade Park

Overview of Wade Park looking Northwest, circa 2010

Wade Park is a city park located within the Hewlett's Creek Watershed and is located in the southeastern corner of Wilmington (in the Oxford Community), south of 17th Street Extension. The park was built around a stormwater retention wetland which filters runoff and serves as a flood control system, similar to Greenfield Lake and Randall Pond. The park consists of 17 acres with a paved trail, amenities, and is within a suburban community on the edge of Wilmington. Wade Park is also one of our best examples of a purely freshwater wetland ecosystem as most wetlands in Southeastern North Carolina are either brackish or saltwater ecosystems, or are wooded swamps. While there are many stormwater wetlands in Wilmington, this is larger examples of an engineered wetland and has enough acreage to wildlife that needs more space than the average retention pond or riparian buffer. The park may be a little hard to find as you will have to drive through a neighborhood and look for a sign, although can easily be mapped and is connected to the Cross City Trail.

Ecology

Red Winged Blackbird perched atop Black Willow at Wade Park,

Wade Park is a stormwater retention pond that was constructed as a stormwater wetland sometime around 2010, with the park being added to provide greenspace, recreation, exercise, and opportunities for people to enjoy wildlife. The wetland is built around a network of meandering channels that are bordered by marshland and riparian shrubs, with two reservoirs on the northern end of the park (near the entrance). There are also streams and tributaries that lead to Hewett's Creek. 

The wetland contains native vegetation including cattail, bulrushes, lizard tails, pickerelweed, various grasses, and splatterdock lilies, and is one of the best examples of an extensive freshwater marsh with minimal saltwater intrusion. To find another wetland of this type, you will likely have to go inland to Brunswick, Pender, or Columbus County and many of these habitats are small and short-lived as marshes will eventually turn into wooded swamps. The land bordering the marsh contains a mixture of riparian shrubs including wax myrtle/bayberry, alder, Black or Coastal Plain willows, groundsel, hawthorns, buttonbush, birch, and seashore mallow. There are also native shrubs and trees that were planted or naturalized with Beautyberries, Black Cherries, Spicebush, Arrowwood Viburnum, sumac, serviceberries, elderberries, and hollies providing fruits for birds. There are some invasive exotic plants in the wetland although the infestation is not as bad as other wetlands such as Greenfield Lake, the pond at Hugh McRae Nature Trail (now Longleaf Park), or many of the creeks. Unfortunately, the shrublands and many of the bordering habitats are infested with Chinese Tallow Tree (Popcorn Tree), privets, buckthorns, and a number of aggressive vines, although the native plants seem to prevail. 

The other habitats within the park include copses and wooded borders on the boundaries of the park which mostly contain pines, red or white oaks, maples, sycamores, sweetgums, and other common hardwoods, although there are American Beeches, Chestnut Oaks, and even some re-sprouting American Chestnut remnants within the woodlands. There is a high-transmission powerline corridor that passes through the park with the electric company regularly clearing shrubs and trees along the cut through. This corridor creates edge habitat for birds like Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks, Yellow Breasted Chats, and various breeding, migrating, and wintering birds, as well as forage habitat for rabbits. The rest of the park is somewhat manicured with mown fields and meadows bordering the riparian buffer, and around the playground, hedges, and widely spaced pines and small trees. The city does cut back the wetland vegetation to maintain the water flow, remove invasives (or aggressive Wax Myrtles), creating temporary old field habitats. When I first visited the park in 2010, the site consisted only of a muddy pond and had little or no wetland vegetation, however since the stormwater project, the park has become a very productive wetland ecosystem, and protects the Oxford Community and Carolina Beach Road corridor from severe flooding during cyclones or heavy rain events. 

Wildlife 

Red Tailed Hawks perched on electrical transmission tower at Wade Park, 2011

Wade Park is a good example of an urban/suburban ecosystem that is rich in biodiversity while allowing people to enjoy nature from the comfort of the trail or an overlook. Even small greenspaces and habitat areas like this can make a difference in local bird diversity, fisheries, and beneficial insect populations. The park is home to a variety of freshwater fish species, turtles, snakes, amphibians, and may even host the occasional alligator. The birdlife is also consistent with freshwater wetlands in interior regions of the Carolinas with Red Winged Blackbirds, Grey Catbirds, Marsh Wrens, and Common Yellowthroats being present as breeders, while at least one Wood Duck and Mallard/Mottled Duck pair also resides in the marsh during the breeding season. You will also see Marsh Rabbits, Eastern Cottontails, and may even catch muskrats, or possibly a beaver in the wetland. The abundance of native vegetation also caters to butterflies such as the Monarch, Viceroy, Tiger, Black, and Spicebush Swallowtail, as well as bumblebees, while I have seen least 15 species of dragonflies around the park. 

Green Herons and its relative the Least Bittern can be found at Wade Park during the summer months. Note this photo was taken at Greenfield Lake in 2020 

Birdlife: Wade Park is one of the best birdwatching spots in New Hanover County and despite its relatively small size, the park provides some unique opportunities to get species that are normally difficult to find. Additionally this park is easily accessible and walkable, making it a good candidate for beginner and intermediate bird walks, data collection or breeding bird surveys, or youth education programs. 

The breeding highlights of Wade Park include the marsh species such as Marsh Wrens, Common Yellowthroat, Red Winged Blackbird, Virginia or King Rails, Soras, and one of the most accessible breeding colonies of Least Bittern in the region. Wood Duck and Mallard (or possibly Mottled Ducks as of 2021) nest in the park with one duck box located on the east of the lake, while the cattails provide ideal habitat for Mallards (which normally breed further north or inland aside from feral and escaped "barnyard ducks". There are also visiting Great Blue, Green Herons, Black-Crowned Night Herons, Snowy Egrets, and Great Egrets. Chimney Swifts, Barn, Tree, and Rough Winged Swallows can be seen overhead from late spring to early autumn with some birds nesting under the bridges or around the picnic shelter. 

There are also other common species that nest at Wade including a large population of Grey Catbirds and Brown Thrashers, Northern Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, and Orchard Orioles, while the wooded areas contain the usual woodland species such as chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, Downy and Pileated Woodpeckers, and Pine Warblers. Chipping Sparrows (an uncommon as a breeder outside of pine dominated areas) can be found around the parking lot and picnic area. The park has a resident pair of Red Tailed Hawks that often perch on the electrical towers, while Red Shouldered, Cooper's Hawks, Mississippi Kites, Kestrels, and occasionally Ospreys visit the area during various points of the year. Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks, Eastern Towhees, and Prairie Warblers may be present near the powerline cuts or along the wooded copses as there are examples early successional habitat.

During the autumn, winter, and spring, various waterbirds, wading birds, and passerines visit the wetlands or surrounding areas, making this a good spot for migratory bird spotting. The marshes can host herons, egret, and ibis, and may even host a passing Wood Stork, Spoonbill, or another unusual or vagrant species. Open muddy areas could host shorebirds like Yellowlegs, sandpipers, snipes, or plovers (more so before the marsh matured), while pond ducks like Teal, Mallard, Wigeon, Pintails, and Shovelers are among the most likely waterfowl species (interestingly not many geese use the park). As for songbirds, Wade Park can host virtually any songbird species although migrating warblers, vireos, thrushes, sparrows, and finches are the most likely candidates, while the low shrubs may host Least, Willow or Alder Flycatchers, Swamp or Lincoln Sparrows, or a Waterthrush. The marsh itself might host Marsh or Sedge Wrens, wetland sparrows, rails, and other hard to find birds. 

Leopard Frog taken at another location, circa 2014. This is one of the common frog species heard at Wade Park.

Reptiles and Amphibians: The other highlight of Wade Park is its diverse amphibian and reptile populations. The wetland hosts many common species but also has some localized, uncommon, or habitat-specific species as well (especially frogs and turtles). The park has at least six species of turtles including Yellow Bellied and Red Eared Slider, Common Snapping Turtle, River Cooter, Chicken Turtle, and Painted Turtles, plus Box Turtles on land, while water snakes, Green Tree Snakes, and Black Racers are the most likely snakes (all harmless). The park is rich in frogs with common and uncommon species being present. Notable species include the Green, Barking, Squirrel, and Grey Treefrog, Narrow Mouthed, Southern, and Fowler's Toads, Spadefoot Toads, Bullfrogs, Pickerel, Leopard, and Green Frogs, and Glass Frogs among others. There may also be salamanders although these amphibians are much harder to find and are sensitive to water quality. Wade Park may occasionally host visiting alligators as well. 

Other Wildlife: Wade Park's marshes appears to be an example of a healthy ecosystem with many species of plants and animals being present in the water or surrounding wetlands. Based on my observations, I have seen at least eight species of freshwater fish including Sunfish, Mosquito Fish, and various minnows (no carps that I know of), while some areas of the wetland have little or no fish, which allows tadpoles, and aquatic insects to thrive. I have also seen at least 15 species of dragonflies and damselflies over the lake plus some nymphs. Comet Darners, Green Darners, Saddlebags, Meadowhawks, Skimmers, Jewelwings, and Pondhawks appear to be the most prolific species. Butterfly watchers can enjoy visiting Monarchs, Viceroys, Black, Tiger, or Spicebush Swallowtails, and various grassland or meadowland species from midsummer to late autumn, while native bumblebees and solitary bees can be found on flowers such as pickerelweed or wildflowers found in the meadows along the trail. Cottontail and Marsh Rabbits are prolific at this park with some individuals being relatively unafraid of people, while Grey Squirrels are mostly limited to the edges of the park, although the open areas within the park may also provide habitat for Fox Squirrels. Around dusk you may also be able to find bats over the water, along with their avian lookalikes such as Common Nighthawks. Overall, Wade Park provides a complete picture of a healthy wetland ecosystem with close up views of marsh-dwelling creatures. All of these plants and animals can be enjoyed without getting your feet wet as the park has a wooden bridge, and the entire ecosystem is visible from the multi-use trail.

Amenities and Accessibility 

Wade Park is easily accessible and has full amenities for people of all ages including restrooms, sitting areas, and picnic shelters. This is one of the best parks for casual nature lovers, families, and education trips as the trails are paved and everything can be viewed from the bridge or overlooks. The park's small size makes it a good place for beginners, children, or people with limited mobility as other locations like Greenfield Lake, Carolina Beach State Park, or even Halyburton Park are larger and may have unpaved trails. Human activities are mostly limited to local residents walking, jogging, or biking around the lake and along the Cross City Trail. The park is also safe and the local residents are generally friendly and are enjoy watching nature.