Westmoreland Park Restoration (complete)

Environmental Services worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Portland Parks & Recreation to reconstruct the Crystal Springs Creek channel in Westmoreland Park, restore native vegetation, and improve access to trails and to the creek. The project included restoring the duck pond to a more natural stream channel by adding pools, riffles, and glides that will improve fish habitat.

Native trees and shrubs planted on the bank will shade and cool the water and improve wildlife habitat. The project included a new boardwalk and overlooks, seating, paths, lighting, and picnic areas. The work implements part of the 2004 Westmoreland Park Master Plan. Construction mitigation funds from the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project helped finance the project. The Corps, Parks, Environmental Services and Metro shared the remaining costs.

The project created habitat for native waterfowl and will deter ducks and geese from congregating along the creek banks, which causes overgrazing and erosion. In summer 2011, the City of Portland, the Audubon Society of Portland and USDA Wildlife Services relocated domestic ducks and geese from the park to rural area homes and farms. You can find more information about the relocation project at http://audubonportland.org/sanctuaries/wcc/rndup.

Portland Parks also renovated the play area in the park as a separate pilot project for its Nature-Based Play Initiative to create settings in developed parks that encourage creative play and interaction with natural features.