Centennial and Concourse Lakes

Centennial and Concourse Lakes. . , Constructed in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition, Centennial Lake remains one of the prominent landscape features in West Park. Concourse Lake, to the south of Centennial Lake, was constructed after Centennial and remains a feature of the park today., Centennial Lake is fed by a spring that flows into the lake's west end, helping the soil there to stay wet year-round. These wet (hydric) soils are able to support a variety of plants adapted to west conditions. The presence of water, hydric soils and moisture-loving plants creates a unique kind of habitat known as a wetland. Wetlands are attractive to many species of wildlife. The open water of both lakes also provides wildlife habitat., Many species of birds use the lakes, from the statuesque Great blue heron to the tiny Ruby-throated hummingbird. Black ducks, Mallards and a host of other waterfowl are commonly seen. Red-tailed hawks hunt from the sky. Songbirds such as Chipping sparrows, Eastern phoebes and Red-winged blackbirds are frequent summer residents.,

Various other animals live in and around the lakes, including:, Turtles: Red-bellied turtle, Snapping turtle, Eastern painted turtle, Common musk turtle , Fish: Carp, Largemouth bass, Brown bullhead catfish, White crappie, Sunfish , Mammals: Muskrat, Raccoons, Eastern gray squirrel, Big brown bat , Snakes: Northern water snake, Eastern garter snake , Frogs: Green frog, Bull frog, Pickerel frog

, In 2001, improvements were done to the lakes as part of a Growing Greener grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. A contractor removed exotic invasive plants, including dozens of non-native trees, from the lake's perimeter. The contractor also removed damaged sections of sidewalk and stone wall around Concourse Lake and graded and stabilized the lake banks. Volunteers stabilized an eroding gully; removed exotic invasive plants; planted trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants; "released" formerly mown areas into meadows for wildlife; and removed trash.