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September 2023 by Josh N.
This is a really beautiful area and I love some bird watching. Unfortunately we missed out during our stop there as the birds seemed to all be hiding but we really enjoyed strolling along the nice trail.
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January 2022 by Allison M.
Sweet, small and peaceful lake for a nice walk or run. If the main lot is full (many people complained of this) you can drive a bit more down merrimon and see an unofficial lot on the left (maybe unofficial?). If you go at non popular times (ex- morning) it's much less crowded and tranquil. The space is good for single people and families. I've seen lots of friends picnicking here as well as playing sports such as frisbee. Nice place to sit out and read- there are some trees for shade. Love the boardwalk but when it rains a lot, the whole park can be muddy. The boardwalk area is more chill and for the bird walkers- be respectful. The rest of the loop is mostly gravel and about .5 miles so I would run a few laps to get my fitness in. Found this online but im not sure it's true. If so, pretty cool. "For a guided bird walk, stop by at 9 AM on the first Saturday of each month from October through March. From April through September, the walks are 8 AM on the first Saturday of each month. North of the sanctuary, a gravel path follows the lake's edge to the dam and spillway for an extended walk. No pets are allowed in the sanctuary."
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January 2021 by Bryce A.
Beautiful and peaceful spot to spend time with birds and nature without leaving the city.
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January 2021 by Steve V.
We came here on a weekday and the parking lot was pretty full. The sanctuary is free to enter. There was snow on the ground and it was a gravel lot. So this was not as slippery as concrete, but much dirtier. Most of the people parked there were going for a walk/run around the lake. We went into the bird sanctuary instead and it was pretty empty. There is a narrow boardwalk that you follow around and to the one itself. There were lots of educational signs and great views, but we saw very little birds. There were no leaves on the trees so that might have been a factor. We could definitely hear them the whole time.
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July 2020 by Kevin P.
Took my wife here while visiting The Grove Park Inn, a great little boardwalk filled will life. One third mile loop makes for a short 15 minute stroll. I like how they don't allow dogs or runners on the boardwalk. Lots of educational signs in good condition made for a wonderful stroll.
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December 2019 by Shan W.
Such a lovely little place just north of downtown. 6, 4 and 18 month old had a blast trying to find birds (it is winter and not that many). We did see a great blue heron fly and catch a fish! My toddler did great and walked the entire boardwalk himself. Not sure what the 1 star reviewer is talking about. The "highway" next to the sanctuary is Merrimon Ave. A 2 lane street. I bet it was disappointing to arrive at Beaver Lake and it was under construction though. I have to say the boardwalk is awesome. Flat, even, easy way to get the kiddos out into nature. Very stroller friendly. Maybe when it warms up we will take the walk next to the lake, further north.
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November 2016 by Amy S.
I heart birds. I want to be reincarnated into one; preferably some sort of falcon, and not a kakapo- an adorable, chubby, yet critically endangered bird. With this temporary, flightless human carriage that I have been saddled with, I try to stalk feathered beings as much as possible. This small bird sanctuary allows that behavior. Years ago, we visited this park. I remember the trip as a respite from a hectic schedule. The sun was friendly on that cool day, and the woods were warm with my kids' exuberance and colorful coats. Adjacent city noises were not even noticed, and problems- big and small- were forgotten among the trees. It is the same now. A place to reconnect with nature, family, friends, and yourself. A lake, pond, swamp, woods, and small field help you do so. Wooden boardwalks serve as your guide, and you can stop at two decks at Beaver Lake's edge for more intense birdwatching. The decks have benches. Right away, we saw a pileated woodpecker getting his lunch, and a turtle right after that. Later on, we saw blue herons flying away from the edge of the lake. Note: Away. Too much action scares the birds away. There is an eco-filter pond here that helps with storm runoff. Pretty cool, huh? If I had taken the time to read the sign about the beavers instead of skimming it, I would know whether or not they created some surrounding ponds or made a big mess. The best time to go birdwatching here is at the lake after a winter storm, and from spring to October. Bring binoculars. This sanctuary was created by the Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society, a division of the National Audubon Society. They own half of the eight acres; they manage it along with the Lake View Park Homeowners Association, which owns the lake. The land was slated for a strip mall. Stripped land for strip land. Good people stopped that. Speaking of good people...why would good people leave a metal rod sticking out of the ground for anyone to impale themselves on? Listen, the lines get a bit blurred here. Off the left parking lot, there is a path for joggers. That is great for nervous birds, Olympians, and people who think exercise is shopping, and move slow and get in the way of joggers, and can get hurt or hurt the joggers via collision. You can either hit the boards, or walk on the joggers' path but with forewarning. Yay! Except can you imagine a jogger tripping and getting staked by a metal rod? Not so yay. And who owns this piece of danger? EMAS, or LVPHA? Whose path is it? Cause my path took me right to this rod, and blood was drawn. Through jeans! I got kids, and I've seen it all. Chances are, you will take other paths to see it all, and maybe with your kids. The rod needs to be removed before something devastating happens. There are bird tours the first Saturdays of every month. Verify that fact first before going. Don't miss the butterfly garden in the warm months. It goes straight through a small field that is parallel with the parking lot on the right. It was created with native flora in mind. As long as you see flowers, you will see butterfly action. There is a gazebo there. My daughter, Ronni, whispered to me that someone had written within it an obscenity coupled with a numeral. Either someone hates math or wants to be a stud. The sanctuary is free. Donations are not. No joggers, noisy kids, or pets. There are no bathrooms. The sanctuary is open from dawn to dusk. The locked gate is on a timer, so don't get your vehicle trapped. There is/was a sign stating that car thieves exist. Just warnin' ya. A bit of extra parking is at the dam, and a path goes to it, too. Corner of Merrimon and Glen Falls. Take note that it appears that paths on either side of the sanctuary seem to circle the entire lake. Go to this place. Take your broken wings and learn to fly again and learn to live so free.
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April 2015 by Roger H.
Pretty nice. A corner of Beaver Lake with paths and observation decks. Lots of birds to see including Herons and others. Not a fancy place but really nice. Quiet. Take a picnic lunch.
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November 2013 by Susanne A.
I like to walk around beaver lake and the bird sanctuary is on one end. I don't know what the person that gave the review with one star is talking about because there are 30 parking spaces and there is not even a highway close! The sanctuary is well taking care of they do change things occasionally so I did see tools around or walking ways blocked of but it does not really matter. I m not a birder I just enjoy the walking around the entire lake I did explore a little and found a couple of nice boardwalks that reach to the lake. I subtract a star because around the lake you need a permit to walk a dog.
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February 2013 by I. F.
This 8-acre area is owned and run by the Audubon Society. Lots of woodsy and swampy trails to observe birds in their natural habitat, and benches to sit on to appreciate nature. I'm subtracting one star for the black bear that quietly watched us as we sat on the bench overlooking the lake last fall. Girlfriend was not happy.
