SKYLINE PARK FISHPOND AND OPEN SPACE PROJECT

Butte-Silver Bow County (BSB) developed approximately 57 acres of open space land in Butte, Montana, into a park with a children’s fishing pond. The open space area near Hillcrest School was damaged by years of unauthorized ATV traffic and illegal dumping. BSB developed the open space into a park to reclaim it and prevent future abuse. BSB hired WET to complete a site investigation, write a Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) grant application, complete the park design, and provide construction oversight.

The site investigation confirmed that clean surface and groundwater resources existed to supply a children’s fishing pond. Investigation data was used to develop a conceptual park design with a children’s fishing pond. The conceptual design was used to obtain a $1,200,000 NRD grant for the design and construction of the park. The grant application was approved, and the park’s construction proceeded from 2012 to 2013.

Project tasks included stream restoration, revegetation, pond construction, channel reconstruction, large-scale recontouring and reclamation, trail and parking lot construction, utility construction, and park amenity construction.

Outcomes achieved for the customer:

WET provided engineering services to acquire the $1,200,000 NRDP grant for project design and construction. Without the grant, the project would not have been feasible. The park was designed and built within budget and schedule. It now provides a unique open space area for residents that was historically abused and damaged. It also offers an opportunity for children to fish within the city limits.