The Black River used to flow from Lake Washington into the Green River. When the lake level was lowered in 1916, the Black River dried up, leaving a pond at the Black River Riparian Forest. This area, with forest and pond, is now a Renton City Park known as Black River Riparian Forest. We birders call it the Black River Heronry.  Over 50 species of birds have been sighted here, including Northern Shoveler, Bufflehead, Green-winged Teal, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Gadwall, scaup, Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, and Bald Eagle. Great Blue Herons may nest here in the tall cottonwoods March through June. Wildlife also includes beavers.

Across Oaksdale at the junction with Monster Rd, you can enter Waterworks Gardens along a lower trail, and there is a series of ponds along a trail leading uphill to the water treatment plant. Birds seen here include Red-winged Blackbird, songbirds, and sparrows.

Directions: Take I-405 to the Interurban/West Valley exit and turn east onto Grady Way just north of I-405. Travel east on Grady Way about four blocks. . At the first traffic light, turn left onto SW Oaksdale. At the next light, go straight. and continue driving a few blocks to the junction with Monster Rd. (on the left). Turn right at the junction into a pullout with parking enough for four cars. Walk in past the sign about one block to the Black River Pond and Springbrook Trail. Walk to the left to view the pump station waters. Walk to the right to view the heron colony and other birds along the trail. Continue on the trail under the overpass of Oaksdale, and turn right to access the trails into Waterworks Gardens.  At a grotto, another trail goes uphill past other ponds.