Fairmount Park in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Centennial and Concourse Lakes
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 19, 2022
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.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 39° 58.83′ N, 75° 12.945′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Fairmount Park. Marker is on Concourse Lake Trail, 0.1 miles west of Belmont Avenue (Truck Route U.S. 1). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philadelphia PA 19131, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Centennial and Concourse Lakes (about
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 19, 2022
Additional keywords. landscape architecture
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 162 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 20, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.