While the park was under a thick cover of snow during February 2026, certain brush piles were surrounded by abundant tracks of the Eastern Cottontail.

Abundant tracks of the Eastern Cottontail 

Once the snow had melted, the appearance of well-worn entrance holes in these brush piles proved that they were used as shelters during a period of extreme cold.

Entry holes were excavated from around logs 

The location of where entrance holes were excavated and their relationship to the overall matrix of the popular brush piles suggest that a good one must include different kinds of plant material in alternate layers. A loosely interwoven network of woody stems of different diameters is important to form a sturdy dome-like shape that holds grassy material, herbaceous vines, and leaf litter for thermal insulation.

Brush piles that are well-built can last several years since component materials can be added over time. Such stable locations would provide save havens for wildlife from predators as well.

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