With the change of seasons come more changes at Spring Lake Park, thanks to volunteers who continue to make improvements at the nature preserve near Streator.

The past six weeks have seen many additions to the park, starting with hundreds of saplings and native prairie grasses planted in mid-May. The prairie grass has grown high since then.

"Those native prairie grasses are waving in the wind and the trees we planted are leafing out," said Lois Guyon, a Spring Lake Project volunteer.

While new trees are growing, one of the park's two majestic cottonwood trees was felled by severe storms last month. Half of the tree lays splintered on the ground, its hollow center exposed for all to see. The tree was estimated to be 200 years old.

Guyon said a pair of women, Carol Mance and Joann McMillin, are responsible for planting numerous perennial flowers under and near where an information billboard is being erected. Once completed, the billboard will feature trail maps, park history and photos, rules and other park information.

Numerous birdhouses have been placed throughout the park to attract bluebirds, wrens, bats and owls. The birdhouses were donated by two groups, the Jimmy F. New Foundation and the local Methodist Men's Club.

"We have attracted bluebirds," Guyon said excitedly. "They are a scarce bird in this area of the country. That was very exciting the first time I saw one here."

Help is needed to put up about 20 more birdhouses, she added.

Volunteers are in the midst of clearing trails in the second quadrant of the park, which is blocked from easy access by Moon Creek. Stepping stones will be put in the creek once it recedes to a manageable depth, said Guyon, noting spring storms have kept the creek higher than usual.

New concrete steps were poured along the trail leading to Spring Lake Falls, replacing brick ones washed away earlier this year.

"Our steps from last year, which we thought were substantial, did not withstand the flooding in January," Guyon said. "Al DeLong put the new steps in single-handedly."

The city put two portable toilets at the park, including one that is handicapped accessible. City workers also have periodically mowed grass at the park, Guyon said.

The willingness of volunteers to assist in various ways has not slowed since the beautification project began in spring 2007.

"The community's contribution to the park has been substantial," Guyon said. "We've been very pleased."

Spring Lake Project is always looking for people to join its host program as volunteers willing to spend a couple hours at the park each week to provide assistance to visitors and keep an eye on what's happening there, she said.

Meanwhile, the next big project expected to be finished at the park is handicapped-access ramps connected to the new bridge that leads to the falls area. That should be done in the next month, Guyon said.

The number of visitors to the park seems to have increased, and part of the reason why is new road signs directing passersby to the park from Route 18 to East 16th Road (commonly known as Spring Lake Road). Such signs didn't exist before this month, when the state erected them at the request of the city.

"We had people in the park the other day from Colorado," Guyon said. "They said they saw the sign and decided to check out the park."

For continued updates about Spring Lake Project, its volunteer needs, photos and park information, go to www.springlakefalls.org.