The Town of Creston worked to transform 4.3 hectares (10 acres) of municipal land into an educational wetland ecosystem and public open space. Through the Creston Open Reservoir Restoration Project, the decommissioned and inaccessible reservoirs located on Crawford Hill were repurposed into natural space available for the public to enjoy - featuring trails, habitat restoration areas, wildlife viewing, and spectacular views of the Creston Valley.
Environmental restoration of the former north and southwest open reservoirs started on March 22, 2021, and is now substantially complete. Both areas have been broadcast seeded with grasses and natural vegetation. The former southwest open reservoir has been transformed from a relatively featureless grass depression into a diverse wetland habitat with 3 shallow (1-2 ft deep) wildlife ponds, increased landscape variation, and scattered wood features. Narrow land bridges connect the ponds and provide a mix of water and earth for amphibians and other animals that rely on both habitat types. The reservoir's old chlorine chamber has been transformed into bat habitat. Town holes were drilled into the concrete structure, creating a cave-like habitat for Townsen Bats. Temperatures are being monitored to track habitat health.
The former north open reservoir has been partially filled with soil by pushing in the berms that surrounded the perimeter and packing it down. A fish-grade pond liner has been installed, and water has been added to a maximum depth of approximately 8 feet. Surrounding the new pond are various wood and rock habitat features, including 2 hibernacula (columns of boulders underground, surrounded by packed soil that provide crevices for cold-blooded animals to hibernate below the frost line.
The next milestone for the community open space is to install interpretative signage to showcase the importance of wetlands and the animals that depend on them.
On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, the park celebrated it's Grand Opening.
Find out why the park was named after Dwight and Rosamond Moore of Creston Here