Putnam Park

State Natural Area (No. 134)

Location: Eau Claire County. T27N-R9W, Sections 21, 28, 29, 30. 105 acres.

Access: On the UW-Eau Claire campus. To access the western portion, walk west from parking lot #4 along the interpretive trail into the area. To access the eastern portion, access via Putnam Drive, a one-way drive that bisects the area and starts across from parking lot #14.

Description: Putnam Park consists of natural, mostly forested land that extends in a long curving, narrow strip through the city of Eau Claire. Forested with southern wet-mesic and northern dry-mesic forest, it contains a diverse flora and fauna including a state-threatened plant. Impressive white and red pines dominate the dry-mesic forest while the wet-mesic forest is dominated by river birch, silver maple, hackberry, red maple, and paper birch. Occasional tamarack and white cedar are found in the wettest portions, at the east end of the park. With varied topography, bedrock exposures, seepage springs, and a variety of soil types all in close proximity, Putnam Park possesses many plant and animal habitats. More than 400 species of plants, 100 species of birds in summer, 23 mammal species, and 6 reptiles, including the prairie skink, have been recorded within the park. Putnam Park is owned by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and was designated a State Natural Area in 1976.