COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A number of environmental improvements have been made at Waterworks Park over the last year but some have taken to social media to criticize requests from the city for park visitors to refrain from feeding ducks and other birds and to not park next to the river bank.
Engineer Sarah Fronzcak told the Coldwater City Council Monday night that all of the things done at Waterworks Park were recommended by the local Conservation District’s management plan.
She pointed out the Conservation District felt there was an overabundance of animals in the park that were creating a water quality problem because of the feces.
Fronzcak said the animals were getting sick because they were being given people food by park visitors instead of duck food.
The work in Waterworks Park has reduced the damage done by humans and water fowl. It has also improved the water quality of the river and nearby vegetation. Significant erosion along the skating pond also had to be taken care of.
The city got a $60,000 grant from the Great Lakes Commission to repair the berm and plant native seed along the Sauk River bank. The City’s match for the project was $12,000.
