After work yesterday Kim and I went out for a quick run before heading over to another couple’s house for dinner. We followed our normal route up to Washington Park and, due to our time constraints, decided to just run half of the park and then back home. Upon running into the park and toward the south side of Smith Lake I noticed something floating in the lake. No, what I saw wasn’t a paddle boat. It was at that point I recalled reading an article from the Westword about these floating islands that were going to be installed in the lake. According to a Denver Post article, “A group of volunteers and city workers launched four artificial islands made from recycled plastic bottles, foam, sod and plants into the Denver lake. The islands, called ‘biohavens,’ are meant to simulate wetlands by providing food and shelter for insects, fish, birds and turtles. They also might make the lake’s water a little cleaner.”

I noticed that the islands are not as green as the pictures in both linked articles above. The Canadian geese must have found their way to the islands and caused some damage. I noticed that the biggest island now has some sort of protective net or cover over it. I’m guessing that the islands are under careful observation and that something had to be done so that these biohavens have a chance of surviving. I’m curious to see if any noticeable change in wildlife occurs over these next few warmer months, though I read that success may not be measurable for at least a year. I hope the islands last that long.