Argonne Bridge. This bridge was built by the developer of Washington Pass
and marks the western end of the Middle Brook Trail.
Washington Pass Open Space. The Washington Pass cluster Open
Space subdivision provides access to the trail from Argonne Farm Drive and Wishnow Way. It
was developed by Ripton Associates in 1988 and provided 2.82 acres of parkland to the
Middle Brook Trail.
Chen’s Pond. This vernal pool was named for Chris Chen of Troop 88
who completed a project consisting of repairs to Chris Naverette's handrails and ramp,
reconstruction of Mike Kammerer's handrails, replacement of the handrails at Argonne Farm
Drive, and the extension of hand rails at Chris & Tom's bridges in September 2000.
Peeper Pond. This pond, like Chen’s Pond, is a vernal pond. Fish
would eat the amphibian eggs keeping their numbers down. But, these ponds are too small
for significant fish population so amphibians are the dominant animal life.
A full chorus of tree frogs, also called spring peepers (Hyla cruicifer), often surrounds
this pond. These frogs have a high pitched voice which many people mistake for insects
since the sound comes from up in the trees. A full chorus sound like jingling bells. The
chorus may pause when you arrive, but if you remain quiet it will resume. Tree frogs are
rarely seen since they spend so much time in the trees, but they still need water to
reproduce. They are brown or gray in color and about one inch long.
There are also several wood duck boxes in this area installed by Kevin Stianchi in January
1999. Wood ducks (Aix sponsa) are a colorful duck about the size of a crow. They nest in
cavities over or near water. They are commonly found in wooded swamps, rivers, and other
freshwater areas. The diet of these birds consists mostly of aquatic plants, minnows, and
frogs. They usually brood ten to fifteen eggs per year. They spend March through November
in northern American regions. There have not been any reports of wood ducks using the new
boxes, but some have been seen in the area.
Many vernal pools are much smaller than Peeper Pond. If you go to toward Crim School there
are smaller pools that are usually dry. Here is a photo of one two days after a rain. Can
you spot them without water in them?
Sean’s Pond. Slightly to the east of Chen’s Pond, this
“pond” is a wide spot on the brook. It was named for Sean Kirk of Troop 154 who
also completed a project consisting of clearing and marking access trails at Gateshead
Drive, Running Brook Road, Solomon Drive, Sarah Court, Tullo Farm Road, and Wishnow Way in
September 2000.
