Sunday, April 12, 2015

Within The Emerald Forest At Crescent Park

CRESCENT PARK is a 128-acre natural gem in South Surrey that we usually drive by without stopping on our way to Crescent Beach.

The forested parkland has two ponds, gurgling streams, multiple winding pathways as well as sport fields and playground equipment for kids. It is the time of year when a fresh burst of young leaves splatter against the sky like green paint on a never-ending ceiling.

In the parking lot, a sign tells visitors how to deal with coyotes that also like the park. Looking them in the eye and hollering should keep the creatures at bay we are told. I suspect my performance would make them howl with laughter.

I have never encountered a coyote there but have seen many pets at the park.

Although I see only dogs, ducks, small birds, squirrels and joggers along the trails, I do not feel confident visiting such a large lush gift of nature on my own. So I was glad when my husband recently wanted to walk there with me.

Tall cedars and mossy coverings infuse the park with an emerald green sheen. New shoots sprouting from deciduous trees add to the predominant colour, making the unexpected red tulips all the more eye-catching.

Memorial plaques are nestled by some trees. Each mentions the type of tree that was donated and offers brief words of inspiration. Beneath a scarlet oak (not pictured) donated on behalf of Muriel Truelove, (a woman with an exceptional name), are words by Bernard M. Baruch, “Be who you are. Say what you feel. Those who mind don’t matter. Those who matter don’t mind.”

In an unpredictable tumultuous world who would not be glad of a moment to do what a plaque by a tulip tree (not pictured) suggests, "Live among the flowers, dance with the petals, laugh in the sunshine, let love bloom."

I found baby bells blooming in the forest ...

and ancient hieroglyphs too buried in time to comprehend.

Have you left your footprints upon wooded trails and felt at one with all of existence? For some the forest is a temple with many shrines ...

and hidden passageways to secret treasure.


This post is dedicated to Earth Day on April 22nd. Learn more about it HERE.

Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle to view more BC scenes.

To see more sights from around the globe visit OUR WORLD at the sidebar.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

17 comments:

  1. Fabulous images! You have a nice place to visit.

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  2. What a fascinating Emerald Forest! Except for the fear of encountering coyotes. I love the fresh greenery at this time of year. The lacy ceiling of green made of tiny leaves brings more sunlight on visitors before becoming cool shading in summer. Your photos made me feel as if fresh green essence dripping inthroughout the forest. I’d like to stroll around myself and have a rest on that bench on the curving lane.

    Yoko

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  3. The lush greens of your shots are dreamy!

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  4. I find it easier to be at one with nature than we people. The beauty of the world around us can take my breath away at times. You have given us a delightful insight into a wonderful treasure.

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  5. You are right by naming them "gems" in the emerald park. They are such gems that can bring you satisfaction more than what you can buy sometimes. Just being with nature & re-discovering its beauty is something very uplifting. I love the secret passageways the most.

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  6. Such a beautiful place and such wonderful captures!! Gems they are indeed! A wonderful place to spend time! Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a great new week!!

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  7. Last shot is very creative and all your photos are wonderful of nature's beauty!

    Happy Week to you,
    artmusedog and carol

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  8. This is a lovely post Maria. I would like to be remembered in that way (but not any time soon!). It's a lovely park to walk in, especially this time of year. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. This whole post made me smile. Such beautiful shots. Thanks for taking us with you through your photography.

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  10. Wonderful quotes to go with these marvelous photos. Thank you so much for taking us to the Emerald Forest today. What a great place for a walk!

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  11. It's sincerely one of my favourite suburban parks...and I've missed it's ever changing beauty.

    You have captured it gorgeously...and my heart is thrilled to be seeing this once again.

    I love the quotes on the plaques...especially the part about dancing with the petals.

    Jen @ The Light Laughed

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  12. What a beautiful tribute to earth day. Wonderful pictures, especially love the fungii, which shows the sometimes abstract beauty of nature.

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  13. I love all the photos, especially the one of the fungi!

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  14. Drifted over and back to say thanks for the side by side smiles over at your other place. Fun series!

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  15. What a beautiful park and photos! Thank you for taking us there with you. I'm glad your husband went with you. I wouldn't be going alone in our parks either. ;) Enjoy the weekend. Pam

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  16. Wow what a beautiful nature area. The top photo of the duck is magic. Good that we don't have coyotes in NZ. I often go for a walk in the bush by myself. We are so lucky as we don't have any dangerous animals here.
    Beautiful tulips So you must have spring over there. Enjoy the this beautiful time
    We are heading towards winter.

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  17. Such beauty here, refreshing the spirit with vibrant greens, while stirring imaginings of secret passageways and magical creatures. The 4th picture from the end made me think of keys superimposed, each unlocking the answer to a long wondered-about mystery.

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