Maple Woods Natural Area provides an excellent opportunity to escape the city and reconnect with nature, at the same time creating a safe-haven for local wildlife. Lacking this type of easily accessible natural area within an urban setting often puts the natural world out of reach for area residents, and complicates the natural order of things for native plants and animals.
Tucked into the suburban north of Kansas City in the suburb of Gladstone, this natural old growth forest is a snapshot in time. It is a glimpse of how things appeared long before the progress of humanity invaded.
An abundance of maple trees, varieties of oak, hickory, walnut and ash offer respite from busy daily life for surrounding communities, contributing to individual health and well-being, and enabling a level of psychological restoration. The idea that small natural areas can invoke this sort of health-related response is not entirely new. Only recently have studies begun to support the concept.
One study by the Section of Public Health, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, UK found,” Urban green space may provide residents with opportunities for contact with the natural environment. Such contact has positive restorative effects on mental health and well-being and may also help to provide a buffer against stressful life events. “
The benefits are not just for humans though. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes that “ parks and urban forests help to facilitate wildlife movement and connect wildlife populations between habitats,” promoting continued biodiversity of plant species, and a safe-havens for wildlife.
Educational benefits abound too, when these environments are incorporated into local communities. “It is an invaluable outdoor lab for educators right in their own backyard,” said Justin Merkey, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Gladstone, who also echoed many of the points related to psychological well-being and space for the natural order of things.
Through a lease agreement with the Missouri Department of Conservation, the City of Gladstone manages Maple Woods Natural Area, ensuring the grounds remain safe and relatively free of trash. This can be quite a challenge too, especially with a Walmart Supercenter less than a mile away. Indeed, litter from that facility sometimes appears here and there.
The relatively dense tree line along that edge of the 18-acre landscape of the site keeps most of the trash from penetrating too deeply though. It also aids in reducing noise levels from the adjacent Missouri Highway 1.
Hiking through this area, one does get a sense of how all these factors come into play. During the summer, when the trees are full of leaves, there is a sense of seclusion, and noise from the surrounding community is unable to penetrate the canopy.
On this visit in the early spring, muffled sounds of the nearby roadways and backyard activities of adjacent homes sometimes interrupted an otherwise peaceful morning. In the valleys, all is quiet and the only other sounds, those of the natural area; wind whispered through the trees, and occasionally rustling in the undergrowth indicated a hidden but vibrant wildlife.
The area hosts an unpaved, packed dirt trail that is approximately a 1.5 km round trip. Meandering up a small ridge it approaches, then quickly retreats from adjacent homeowner properties, before diving into a small creek watershed valley.
Climbing the other side of the valley brings one within full view of the nearby highway, Walmart Supercenter, QuickTrip, and their trash. Skirting along that edge the trail approaches another subdivision of homes, retreats from there, and returns down the first ridge.
The total change in elevation along the trail is only about 200 feet, making it a relatively easy hike for just about any age or ability. “It is something [my daughter] can easily do. It’s not too challenging. It is nice that it is right here near us too, and is most of the reason we come here, plus it has some hills and is not just flat and boring.” remarked Jason Berm, out hiking with his daughter. “It is perfect for her.”
Talking at length, as fellow hikers sometimes do, about shoes and other nearby opportunities, we came around talk a little about the future of the site. “It would be very bad news,” said Jason, “if the area was ever closed for development of housing or commercial business.”
“That will never happen,” said Justin Merkey, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Gladstone, indicating a few adjacent properties were already being considered towards expanding the site.
This information came as a relief to Jason, other hikers interviewed, and likely any wildlife listening in secret. Everyone seemed pleased with the idea of expansion, and looked forward to a long life for this natural area, one of very few in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
One might perceive that sites like Maple Woods Natural Area are relatively common, and the loss of just one would hold little significance. Indeed, there are a lot of parks scattered throughout Kansas City too. Wholly natural environments, capable of supporting plant and animal life without human intervention, within the metropolitan area are very rare though.
Conservation Areas within the Kansas City, Missouri metropolitan area are few and far between. Only two exist within the denser urban areas. The closest in proximity to Maple Woods Natural Area is at least 10 miles east or west, and 20 miles north or south.
Considering foot travel time between these locations, this space is invaluable to the City of Gladstone, surrounding communities, and for local wildlife seeking refuge from seemingly endless human development.
Improving, expanding and creating new areas such as Maple Woods Natural Area is undoubtedly the answer to ensuring the health and safety of plants and wildlife. It may also be the answer to many of the physical and mental health conditions faced by us bipedal species.
Originally written and presented for a five part course on Journalism through Coursera, presented by Michigan State University
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