Parks and Recreation Works with Crest View Elementary Students on Adjacent Wetlands Projects

Crest View Elementary fifth grade students are working with Parks and Recreation (BPR) staff to rehabilitate “The Habitat” which is a wetland area adjacent to the school in Crest View Park where students can learn about the environment, nature and local climate action. They are also working with staff to create an educational outdoor space called “The Nest,” which is close to The Habitat.

The Habitat is a wetland space that has not been functioning well since the city’s 2013 flood, resulting in water stagnation, vegetation overgrowth, and damage to an existing boardwalk and amphitheater. The Nest will be a large circle with upcycled wood from BPR’s forestry yard for benches and stumps. It will include bird houses, a whiteboard, and an art sculpture of upcycled wooden eggs in the middle of the circle.

The students recently talked about the project with community members during their annual Spring Fling event and an at-school presentation. The students talked about plants and grasses in a successful wetland, the Habitat project’s history, and the outreach they’ve done to students in the school about why the project should happen.

During the recent community information session, the students put their colorful fingerprints on a sign that will be in The Nest educational space.

Project construction is now underway, which includes trail improvements, planting trees, and the final design and planned construction for The Nest.

• Watch a video created by two students from Crest View Elementary talking about the project