KAMLOOPS — Work is about to start up again on the Dufferin Park retention pond rehabilitation project.
The area is being converted back into wetlands after having various other purposes over the years.
“Wetlands are just as important as a lot of the rain forests, with all the diversity that they have in them, the aquatic vegetation, the amphibians, the invertebrates, everything,” said Kirsten Wourms, crew leader of natural resources for the city of Kamloops. “And unfortunately most wetlands kind of get filled in, development goes on.”
According to Wourms, that’s what appears to have happened at Dufferin Park.
“In the 50s mining and ranching came through, the wetlands sort of disappeared,” Wourms said. “Then in the 80s the city decided that, ‘oh, we’ll make these into sports fields.’ And, of course, they were always sort of wet so they got abandoned.”
Four years ago the city looked into reinstating the wetlands, and in February work began.
“Unfortunately, everything started to thaw and we got a lot of rain. So, we’ve sort of been on a bit of a shut down right now, but beginning the first week in May, we actually have a whole bunch of plants coming in.”
Around 600 aquatic plants, 400 shrubs, and 70 trees will create a lush environment for the wildlife that are expected to inhabit the wetlands.
This summer a boardwalk and viewing platform will begin to take shape, which are expected to be big draws for school groups at the neighbouring Dufferin Elementary.
“The boardwalk is actually going to have a little area that you can walk out, do the dip netting, and we’re working with some of the local groups in town to build a beautiful timber frame education centre,” Wourms said.
Bat houses will be installed to help control the mosquito population, and biological control within the soil will feed on the pesky insects before they turn into larva.
Numerous grants and donations have covered the cost of the $150,000 project, which is expected to take three years to complete.
