 Rendering of the future lake shoreline Click image to enlarge
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Major work at City Park Duck Lake is underway and will be on-going all summer and fall (2010).
The work will preserve a significant bird habitat and improve the lake’s water quality which is very poor. The project will also enhance visitors’ experience at the lake by providing wildlife observation platforms, a boardwalk and environmental education signage. The Better Denver Bond Program is providing funds for this work.
The lake has been drained to allow a major renovation of the lake edges and the island. The lake will begin to be refilled starting in November and will be full again in time for the birds’ 2011 spring arrival.
The detailed scope of this project includes:
- draining the lake and removing some of the sediment
- removing dead trees on the island and replanting new trees
- restoring the island edges; correcting erosion by placing new boulders and riprap
- renovating the south shoreline by removing the old concrete edge and replacing it with a gentle slope planted with wetland species
- installing wildlife observation platforms along the south edge and a boardwalk along the zoo edge
- providing environmental education signage about the water quality, bird species, and the lake/wetland habitat in general
This project is a joint venture between the Parks Department and the Denver Zoo. Parks has been coordinating with the Department of Natural Resources/Division of Wildlife on the project so that the birds are not negatively impacted. The zoo also has an interest in bird habitat, and their Avian Division has been instrumental in helping to guide the planning and timing of the island restoration.