Paradise Pond Wetland Visit After Hurricane Harvey

Paradise Pond Wetland Visit After Hurricane Harvey

Ever since I was a child I have always wanted to visit the Everglades National Park. Till I get there, I’ll continue to visit our wetlands here in Texas. My interest in marshes and wetlands came with my love for the nature and the water. Every summer and sometimes year-round we visit Port Aransas, Texas. Many people don’t know that Port A has a wetland right in the middle of the quaint coastal town. While I was in the coastal area, I made it a point to stop by. 

I hadn’t been back to Port Aransas since Hurricane Harvey; I was curious how Harvey left the wetland. I have been visiting Paradise Pond since it opened; that was in 2002. I have seen it get smaller, been there when its drizzling, dry, and hot, and now after a Hurricane has passed. 

Since we had a lot of rain just days before in that area, the water was about foot away from the top of the boardwalk. The water was a murky emerald green filled with tree branches where either the storms knocked the trees down or they were removed. We didn’t see any birds out but, we also went mid-afternoon; you’ll see many bird species early in the morning. We did see a few turtle and small fish though. 

While homes are still being built and construction is still going on around Paradise Pond wetlands, its still a beautiful piece of nature filled with life all around you that you can’t help but admire. Aside from the trees missing, everything else was still in place. Next time you are in the Texas Coastal area, don’t forget to visit the wetlands. Go early in the morning after sunrise. Its like a small little world that awakens right before your eyes. 

*The Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond is currently undergoing restoration. The invasive Brazilian Peppertrees have been removed and new native trees and shrubs will be planted soon. We ask for your patience and understanding as we help restore this site to the excellent habitat for migrating it once was.