"The Meadow" is located along Wengert Road between the farm fields to the north, the Farmhouse on the east and the Dominican Acres entrance on the west. Once in production as a farm field, it was turned to a fallow field about twenty-five
years ago.
According to the prevailing wisdom of the day - well-intentioned by the Department of Natural Resources and Louis Bromfield - landowners were encouraged to plant " wildlife food" species when fields were retired to prevent erosion, control weeds and provide habitat.
These admirable goals came at the price of inviting aggressive alien species like
Japanese Honeysuckle, Autumn Olive, Multiflora Rose to take over. While the bushhog
has gained some control over the years and trails wind through this field like a
giant, random labyrinth, we have begun to manage these non-native plants and have
planted and encouraged more docile species.
A walk through the Meadow that is home to our Labyrinth is an adventure in all ways. It is home to much wildlife - deer, fox, rabbit, skunk, possum, squirrel, vole and coyote. A host of birds, insects reptiles and amphibians also use this space. It is home to a huge variety of plants from prairie grasses to mosses and ferns; succesional shrubs (yes, those invasives) and trees. It is a wonderful place to take a stroll or go for a bird or butterfly walk. Trails are mowed and are great any time of year.