By Samantha Salazar / Full360 Writer

As a child, Amy Rims spent countless hours exploring the lush forest trails of Peace Valley Park, the land which was formerly her grandmother’s dairy farm and bakery. With the park just down the road from her grandmother, she enjoyed the peaceful wilderness with her father.

On one adventure, Rims and her father were on a routine walk and noticed fresh deer tracks. Together, they trekked through the forest, careful not to be detected. With each passing deer track, Rims’ excitement grew. At last, she had completed her job as a seeker and found the four-legged ungulate. The deer had stayed out of view by swiftly moving in and out of the trees, but her dance was cut short by a chain-link fence. As quickly as she was sighted, her powerful legs launched her into the air and over the heads of Rims and her father, and dashed into a nearby field, leaving only the rustling of grass in her absence.

Today, Rims continues to spend time in the park, but she serves a different role.

As office manager of the Nature Center at Peace Valley Park, she is able to share her history and her passion for all living things that reside there.  

“Our goal is to provide, manage, and maintain an outdoor living museum and environmental education center that serves the people of Bucks County and beyond,” said Rims.

Wildlife

From rabbits, bears, and squirrels, oh my! There are plenty of animals to find at Peace Valley Park. If you’ve never seen a skunk, fox, or mink, Peace Valley is a destination to spot them. 

If mammals are not your thing, there is also quite an array of birds that call this park home, ranging from hawks, songbirds, waterfowl, woodpeckers and many more! 

Birding Opportunities

In Peace Valley Park, there are countless opportunities to bird watch all season long. From walking through the various habitats or going to the bird blind, you are sure to find more than just the average pigeon.  

During breeding season, be sure to be on the lookout for the nest boxes present around the park for a chance to see some chicks! Native rain gardens are also located around the center, which is a hotspot for birds landing for a snack and a drink. 

The grounds include diverse habitats such as streams, meadows, ponds, woodlands, and the man-made Lake Galena. Each species has its favored habitat, so be sure to bring your field guide and binoculars, or check out the Nature Center to borrow a birding backpack! Check out the Peace Valley Park’s website to learn more about birds that have been sighted and when they will be visiting next!

If you are inexperienced with birding but want to learn more, the park offers Saturday morning bird walks that will begin in  March  from 8 – 10 am, along with many other birding programs throughout the year. They are free and available for community members aged 15 years and older. 

Winter season 

With the cold weather, food becomes harder to find. If you are having trouble finding animals during your winter walks, be sure to check around the feeders!  

While many of the birds have migrated for their winter vacations, there are still plenty around to view. 

Many animals such as birds and mammals can be found at the feeders, which is the perfect opportunity for wildlife photography. The blind box is available to get out of the cold while still having the chance to snap a few amazing shots!

Trails

Peace Valley Park encompasses over 15 miles of unpaved trails that traverse through meadows, forests, pines, marshes, and gardens. If you are in the mood for a brisk walk, explore a 10 minute loop trail or traditional hour-long trail.  

There is a trail map on the park’s website where you can view all of the available trails. The 6.1-mile paved trail welcomes bikers and surrounds Lake Galena, but be sure to stick to the pavement!  

For the safety of wildlife, leave your pets at home, keep your litter to yourself, don’t fish, stay on the trail, and do not harass the wildlife. 

Events 

“Peace Valley Nature Center is a place to explore, learn, and be inspired by the natural world,” said Rims. 

Do you want to learn how to crochet or go on a night walk? 

Peace Valley offers a range of year-round programming for all ages and interests. There are family, art, and mindfulness programs along with nature walks and specialty events, such as the upcoming Maple Sugaring Event on Feb. 28th. 

While most of the events are free and don’t need registration, donations are accepted as it helps support the park. 

Be sure to check the events calendar under the programming tab on the Peace Valley Park website to find times and locations!

Photos by Kevin York