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| Rehabilitation of historic Johnson Creek is expected to be complete at the end of this year, officials said. |
Work at Fish Hatchery Park to replant the 1,050-foot creek bed along Johnson Creek, add depth to the pond and install a fish ladder where the creek meets the pond has been under way for three years. Rock veins were placed in the creek to control the flow and prevent erosion. Once the new growth starts to flourish the pond and creek should be a cleaner habitat for fish, insects, wildlife, and plants, according to officials.
Maintenance of the site continues as under the direction of representatives from Anglin Construction and a subcontractor. Workers are removing invasive species as well as plants and trees that didn't survive and replanting some items to restore a natural state. The intended result has not yet been achieved, officials said, but there has been progress. Visitors should remain off the creek banks which are currently protected by plastic fencing.
"It takes three to four years for vegetation to completely come in," said Nate Reilly, park superintendent for Northville Parks and Recreation.
During the project, the existing concrete wall was replaced with a natural earthen berm held in place by sheet metal pilings. The bank was landscaped with hundreds of native plants, which develop deep roots to anchor the ground and prevent soil erosion, resist disease, and thrive in their natural climate, officials said.
The transformation of the park was made possible with a $963,090 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that was administered by the Alliance of Rouge Communities (ARC), a group of local municipalities, counties and other institutions that work to improve water quality of the Rouge River watershed. The project was designed by Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc. with engineering support from Soil Materials and Engineers (SME).
Reilly said access to the landing points - flat rocks - will be added along the creek bed so park visitors can go to the water's edge. He said a fountain may be installed in the center of pond, which is now 4-1/2 feet deep in places. Prior to the project, it was only 1-1/2 feet deep. Dead willow trees on the opposite bank will be removed at a future date, Reilly said.
An asphalt walking path extends from the parking lot along the waterway to behind one of the two baseball fields. From there, a limestone path completes the loop back to the parking lot. New playground equipment is in place and new concrete flooring has been installed under the pavilion. There are also tennis and pickleball courts available for use.
