The Great Wetland Wander: A Night of Frog Calls and Community at Neutaconkanut Park
On the evening of March 26, the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council welcomed a small and enthusiastic group to Neutaconkanut Park for The Great Wetland Wander. With 10 registered participants, including 9 adults and 1 child, the group gathered just before sunset, ready to explore and experience the park in a whole new way.
Participants set out on a guided hike covering just over 1.5 miles through the park. The trail, uneven in places and softened by early spring conditions, led the group toward the Hidden Swamp, a tucked-away wetland that becomes especially alive this time of year.
Along the way, the program offered a hands-on opportunity to learn frog and toad calls in real time. Participants listened closely to the landscape around them, building connections between sound, species, and habitat. We hope this experience made a lasting impression, turning what can often feel abstract into something immediate and memorable.
Once at the swamp, the group paused for a listening and monitoring session. The chorus of amphibians was strong, with participants identifying spring peepers, wood frogs, green frogs, and grey tree frogs calling out across the wetland. Many in the group chose to carefully make their way down into the swamp itself, where they were able to observe spring peepers up close, a highlight of the evening.
The Great Wetland Wander showed just how powerful it can be to experience local habitats at night, when a different set of species takes center stage. It also reinforced the importance of protecting and understanding wetlands like the Hidden Swamp, which support a rich diversity of life right here in Providence.
Programs like this are a reminder that meaningful environmental education does not always require large crowds. Sometimes, a small group, a quiet trail, and the sound of frogs calling in the dark is more than enough.