This project involved restoring an existing degraded pond and providing public access for an open space parcel owned by the City of Novato. The opportunity to increase the pond�s recreational and habitat value was enhanced by the pond�s adjacency to a high quality marsh and its highly accessible location within the City of Novato. The goals of the project were to improve water quality, enhance habitat for fish, create wetland and refuge habitat for birds, provide public access to the shoreline, provide opportunities to fish, and to provide screening from Highway 101. Engineering components included deepening the pond, stabilizing the shorelines, creating a wildlife island, and installing water circulation pumps and aerators. Habitat restoration components included creating areas of freshwater marsh and planting riparian trees, shrubs, and native grasses. Public access elements included defining a park entrance, creating parking along the street, including three ADA accessible drop-off areas, designing an ADA accessible shoreline trail system, restoring a ¥beach� area, and installing an ADA accessible fishing platform.

Landscape plantings for the park consisted of only native species and included street trees, a grove of alders, a grove of cottonwoods, and trees to screen Highway 101. The project included a temporary irrigation system to ensure the successful establishment of the native plants. Beautification of the Redwood Boulevard Bridge was also included in the project as a focal point of the park and the local community. In addition, the project involved providing biological consulting services to ensure compliance with environmental permits and protect wildlife during construction.