Lenn Park

The Lenn brothers wanted to preserve part of their land as a recreation area for the local community, so they gifted 85-acres to Culpeper County. Lenn Park may best be described as a place that has something for everyone: Culpeper Model Barnstormers Airfield; overnight scout camp; sports fields; amphitheater; farmland; play spaces; dog parks; and paved trails, just to name a few amenities. The assortment of habitats in such a small tract of land creates rich wildlife diversity. In winter, a small lake harbors Green-winged Teal and Hooded Merganser, and in spring, Wood Duck and Solitary Sandpiper stop in during migration. The trees along Mountain Run Creek are alive all year. Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Brown Creeper may be heard before they’re seen during the winter months. Palm, Yellow, and Blackpoll warblers are regular spring migrants. Summer breeders include Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Orchard and Baltimore orioles, and Eastern Meadowlark. Northern Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, and Blue Jays are some of the year-round residents.

A drainage creek runs the length of the property and is a good place to look for White-throated, Song, Swamp, Field, and Chipping sparrows. Frogs will lay eggs in any vernal pool, so there’s a chance to find squirming tadpoles here, too. Dragon- and damselflies and pollinators are drawn to the lush vegetation. Some of Lenn Park’s land is still being used for agriculture which attracts Savannah and Grasshopper sparrows, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, and mixed blackbird flocks. White-tailed Deer may peruse the fields near dawn and dusk.