Wyffels' Park and Watershed Restoration

Healthy Ecosystems and Communities -

The City of Woodburn, in partnership with the Woodburn School District, has an opportunity to undertake the restoration of Mill Creek and adjoining wetlands in Wyffels’ Park. This project will serve as an educational opportunity for our K]12 students as well as an example for future watershed restoration projects .

Why is Stream and Wetland Restoration Important?

Streams and wetlands are beautiful places full of plant and animal life. Restoration results in greater biodiversity within the urban ecosystem and improves water quality. Unfortunately, today’s landscape contains fewer wetlands than in earlier times. Wyffels’ Park is a classic example of a stream being altered and wetlands destroyed primarily because the importance of wetlands broad impact on the overall health of our environment was not understood. Education and community involvement are needed to reverse the unnecessary destruction of wetland and streams. The Wyffels’ Park Stream and Wetland Restoration project is an opportunity for Woodburn to enhance a natural treasure that can be shared with future generations.

How do we start? The lecture forum workshop planned for November 17, 2012 at City Hall Council Chambers is intended to expose interested citizens, students, and future volunteers t o h a n d s ] o n

t e c h n i q u e s .  Following the lecture is a site visit to

Wyffels’ Park. The planning, design and accomplishment of the restoration work will be coordinated with the Woodburn School District and incorporated into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics curriculums. The community at large will be able to participate as volunteers and through community service organizations.

Can we really do this? Be assured we have the ability to restore Mill Creek and the adjoining wetlands. The main ingredients for a successful restoration project are persistence, conviction to help the environment and a viable location; Wyffels’ Park. The school faculty have the conviction and our students will furnish the persistence during their academic experiences. The City of Woodburn will provide engineering and financial support for the project in the form of grants and committed to assisting in securing needed grant funding.

What else is planned for Wyffels’ Park?

The City intends to construct a section of the Mill Creek Recreation trail through Wyffels’ Park. The City has submitted for state grants to include an elevated walkway through the wetlands that could serve as an interpretive center for studying the wetlands or a recreational trail for hikers and runners desiring to travel along Mill Creek through the downtown area. Development of a walkway through Wyffels’ Park will provide safe pedestrian travel for school children between Hardcastle and Lincoln Sts. If you have questions/ concerns, please contact the Woodburn Public Works Department Phone: 503]982]5388 Fax: 503]982]5389 E]mail: marta.trinidad@ci.woodburn.or.us