Kathryn Sheedy Sanctuary

 

The Kathryn Sheedy Sanctuary is a 40-acre tract, consisting primarily of native upland forest and featuring an extensive buttonbush swamp.  Located on the east side of County Road 204 in South Bloomfield Township, the Sanctuary was acquired in 2006 from the estate of Kathryn Sheedy.

   As of early 2006, the Park District Board was in the process of developing plans for facilities in the Sanctuary.  Other than identifying and marking the exact boundaries derived from a recent survey, the Board did not expect to make major changes for several months.  Access will be by written permit only until suitable facilities can be provided.

 

Location of Kathryn Sheedy Sanctuary in South Bloomfield Township

 

An extensive buttonbush swamp located within Kathryn Sheedy 
Sanctuary.  This swamp is an important breeding site for amphibians 
such a spotted salamanders, red-spotted newts, wood frogs, and 
spring peepers.

 

Male and female woodfrogs from the Kathryn A. Sheedy Sanctuary
photographed in amplexus (mating position).Note the female’s
abdomen swollen with eggs.

 

A red-spotted newt from the Kathryn A. Sheedy sanctuary.  While this individual is
an aquatic adult, juveniles, known as efts, range in color from brilliant orange to dull
red in color and are found in terrestrial habitats such as moist woodlands.