Lake Nicol is a beautiful local lake that is surrounded by a large wooded public park that is accessible via a heavily-forested entrance road near McFarland and University Boulevards. The park is located near many private residences, giving it a quaint, neighborhood-use vibe, though it is open to the public for residents and visitors alike. Boating, fishing, and picnicking are popular outdoor activities during the summer season, and in winter, the lake serves as one of the best regional sites for golden-crowned kinglet watching. Pine warblers, Eastern bluebirds, red-headed woodpeckers, and brown-headed nuthatches also populate the region, along with occasional sightings of bald eagles and osprey.

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