Wildlife species present in the area change a little due to seasonal migrations throughout the year; however, one thing remains the same: Bristow parks provide a refuge for animals and people alike.
Visitors to Lake Massena and Klingensmith Park often arrive for a variety of reasons, but many visit for physical exercise in the presence of nature. The park areas offer peace, solitude, and freedom from the busyness and manmade clutter of life. For many, the experience serves as the only destressor in their lives, helping to lower blood pressure and heart rate, improve circulation and sleep, and positively impact mood along with countless other health benefits.
Regarding those health benefits, numerous scientific and medical studies have shown that breathing in fresh air, taking in the natural sunlight, and observing wildlife, especially waterfowl on the water, significantly improves cortisol levels and blood pressure. In fact, well-being has been proven improved simply by spending time amongst the trees and near bodies of water. Quiet observation in nature provides many benefits, including aiding brain and motor development in children and improving relationships as small groups join to birdwatch, observe nature, or engage in outdoor observational activities. As someone who enjoys nature, I have visited Bristow’s Lake Massena and Klingensmith Park many times to unwind and get outside. During some of those outings, I birdwatched and saw more than 30 types of wild birds. Birds have included thrashers, several types of finches, bluebirds, buntings, cardinals, cedar waxwings, bald eagles, hawks, kestrels, owls, turkeys, herons, ducks, geese, grebes, kingfishers, swifts, egrets, scissortails, robins, sparrows, orioles, redwinged blackbirds, killdeer, meadowlarks, wrens, roadrunners, several types of woodpeckers, and even a pelican.
While birds prove plentiful around Bristow, reptiles and amphibians can be observed as well. In fact, in Bristow parks alone, I have observed common five-lined skinks, prairie lizards, broad-headed skinks, southern prairie skinks, six-lined racerunners, great plains skinks, little brown skinks or ground skinks, and eastern collared lizards or mountain boomers, which are designated as the stated reptile. Bristow parks are also home to a large variety of frogs, toads, snakes, and turtles.
While the fish can be much more difficult to identify from land, Lake Massena does serve as a habitat for catfish, carp, bass, and other species of fish in addition to the multitude of reptiles and amphibians making their homes there.
What are the most numerous creatures easily observed at Bristow parks? You guessed it: insects and spiders. From pollinators like bees and butterflies to flying insects and spiders, anyone interested in entomology will not be disappointed by a visit to any of the community’s parks.
For those who do not enjoy wildlife but desire to experience more of Bristow’s natural peace and beauty, the parks offer the perfect backdrop for nature photography, art, cloud watching, meditation, and prayer.
For all of the clutter that America’s materialistic, busy culture provides, Bristow is home to several natural gems in its parks. Be sure to check out nature’s beauty around the community and set aside an extra moment for gratitude that all can freely enjoy it.