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LUFKIN WETLAND GARDEN AND
OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
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 The
Lufkin Wetland Garden and Outdoor Classroom was recently visited by
a group of LISD students. The students learned about wetlands and
had a great time observing the plants and wildlife at the garden.
The Wetland Garden is also a great place to spend time and catch a
few fish. Recently young Tristan Mosley caught 20 Bluegills.
Tristan practiced "catch and release" and returned them all to be
caught again. Tristan's grandmother was thankfu l
for such a "beautiful place".
The Wetland Garden and Outdoor Classroom was
developed when Angelina Chamber of Commerce Foundation needed to
mitigate wetland for an economic development project at the
Southpark Industrial Park. The detention pond, located on a 65 acre
Regional Detention Impoundment is one of five
 constructed
by the City of Lufkin to relieve flooding in several neighborhoods.
The City of Lufkin realizing that the wetland would be ideal for
students to use as an outdoor environmental classroom and for the
public to enjoy, sought funding for development. Abitibi awarded the
City of Lufkin $180,000 to help with the project which included
changes to the pond so that a portion retains water for wildlife and
for development of the hardscape.
 The
Lufkin Wetland Garden and Outdoor Classroom is open daylight to
dark, seven days a week. The entrance is located at Morris Frank
Park between the LISD fields and the soccer fields, next to the
playground. An asphalt walkway leads into a wooded buffer to the
wetland. The wetland is situated on an open field all of which is
engineered to detain water during large rain events. The sidewalk
surrounds two thirds of the basin. There is a viewing peninsula,
pavilion, elevated walkway and a rustic amphitheater, all of which
is ADA
 accessible.
The pond has naturalized and is home to aquatic life. Numerous birds
and occasional ducks can be seen. Waterproof boots are needed if you
venture into the basin.
Funding is being sought for additional development which will
include installation of additional plants, interpretive signage,
duck boxes, bird blinds and wetland educational programs for
teachers.
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