By Mitchell Pence

Darke Co. Parks

Late summer into early fall is a great time to go walk in the parks. Once again, Mother Nature shuffles the lineup of flora and fauna that can be found, and she definitely doesn’t disappoint when it comes to those early autumn colors! Lucky for you, the Darke County Park District has several great options for witnessing this shift of color and wildlife. While most prefer the serenity and colors of the forest, this time of year is when our prairies really shine.

Of course, autumn is usually acknowledged by the changing of tree leaves to shades of red, orange, yellow, and even purple. However, while grassland habitats may seem dull, and usually we think of them as “just grass,” our prairies are not to be outdone! This time of year is perfect to witness the transition of our native grasses from green to gold under the evening sun. Summer flowers give way to late-season blooms, and migrating birds can be seen passing through on their way south to avoid winter’s early arrival in the north.

I recommend taking a prairie walk during golden hour (around 5-7 p.m.) for the greatest effect. Between the grasses and wildflowers, the evening light makes everything appear like it is glowing in its own way. Recently, I led a Golden Hour Prairie Hike through Turkeyfoot Preserve, and it was wonderful to see the variety of wildlife we encountered, including an American Toad and a Common Watersnake. Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, and Indiangrass sway in the breeze while flowering plants like New England Aster and Canada Goldenrod ignite the prairie with deep, rich shades of purple and yellow. Of course, these aren’t the only colors to be found at Turkeyfoot Preserve.

Should you want to take a hike for yourself, you’ll quickly be enamored by the deep reds of the Smooth Sumac berries and the gentle white of Calico Aster and Queen Ann’s Lace. More yellow can be found in the abundance of sunflowers and the Partridge Pea that is beginning to form its seed pods. Purples can also be seen in a variety of shades, from the soft periwinkle of Chickory to the deep amethyst of Tall Ironweed, my personal favorite. Even the woody pioneer species like Silky Dogwood and Cottonwood give back the warmth of the sun as their leaves change to reds and yellows. Monarch butterflies flutter overhead on their grand migration to Mexico while a symphony of insects, including crickets, grasshoppers, and katydids, make music amid the blades of grass, hidden from view.

Now, you can sit at home and dread the end of summer, or you can take a hike and enjoy the color of our prairies for yourself! While Turkeyfoot Preserve is where my hike took place, we have several fantastic parks with options for prairie walks. Worth Family Nature Preserve, Winterrowd Wetlands, Routzong Preserve, and of course, Shawnee Prairie Preserve all have their own unique flair to enjoy this time of year. You may encounter the same plants and animals that we did, or you could have an experience entirely on your own. You won’t know until you go, but one thing is for certain, our native prairies are more than just grass.