Ashton Wildwood County Park
Jasper County, Iowa
Ashton-Wildwood County Park Plants and Wildlife
Bird Checklist for Ashton Wildwood Park.pdfIn the table below:
Click on the Plant, Bird, Reptile and Amphibian, Insect and Arachnid, and Mammal tabs at the bottom of the table to scroll through the lists.
These lists are based on species identified during site visits and sightings submitted using the link in the sub-bullet point below. Submitted species are added to the table as time allows.
Click here if you would like to submit records of plants or wildlife you have seen at this location.
Bloom periods are based on those provided by the Illinois Plants Database.
About Ashton Wildwood County Park
Ashton-Wildwood County Park encompasses 113-acres of mature oak-hickory woodlands owned and managed by the Jasper County Conservation Board. Due to a diversity of ridge, slope and valley aspects, a variety of plants can be observed throughout the park. In the spring, woodland wildflower and migratory bird viewing opportunities are excellent.
Amenities
There is a ½-mile maintained hiking trail within the park that consists of wood chips, bridges, and steps at steep declines and inclines. There is a brochure available at the trailhead that coincides with marker posts along the trail highlighting interesting plants, animals, and natural features of the park.
Picnic shelters, a campground, and a softball field are also located within the park. For more information on the use of these facilities, please visit the Jasper County Conservation Board’s website.
The Ashton Observatory is located within the park and is operated by the Jasper County Conservation Board and the Des Moines Astronomical Society. The observatory includes a classroom, seven outdoor telescope pads, and two domes each housing a 16-inch telescope. For information on upcoming classes and public events to be held at the observatory, please visit the Des Moines Astronomical Society’s web site.
How to Get There
From Iowa Highway 330, exit east onto County Highway F17 for ½-mile, then turn south onto W 122nd Street North for 0.3 miles. The Ashton Wildwood County Park entrance will be on the west side of the road.
Literature and links:
Click here to view a Google Scholar search for additional literature using the pre-filled search terms of "Ashton Wildwood County Park Iowa"
Iowa's County Conservation System Guide to Outdoor Recreation