An Urban Oasis

Frémont cottonwood, Mormon Island Wetlands State Park, Folsom (10/31/20) John Poimiroo

The cottonwood of Mormon Island Wetlands State Park crown a largely ignored woodland island, surrounded by a sea of Folsom homes and roads.

Within the urban enclave, Frémont and black cottonwood; black, blue, valley and leather oak; brown dogwood; northern California black walnut; California buckeye; black elderberry; California grape; western redbud; Pacific poison oak and various types of willows crowd out urban sprawl.

It is rare that so large and wild a place is entirely contained within any California city. However, an undulating landscape littered with fallen branches and shrubs makes Mormon Island Wetlands a difficult place to visit.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation placed a new parking area beside the wetlands when Green Valley Road was widened, recently, but that hasn’t attracted visitors. The lot, though open, is always empty, just like its forest.

What’s needed to make this special place slightly more approachable is an interpreted trail into the tangle of trees and shrubs, one that invites visitation lightly while explaining the diverse life to be found within this verdant oasis.

  • Mormon Island Wetlands State Park, Folsom (377′) – Patchy (10-50%)
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