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City halts unexpected clearing at Spring Creek Preserve; consultant contracted to assess damage and propose restoration
Summary
After residents and board members alerted staff to clearing in Spring Creek Preserve, city departments halted work, engaged Kimley-Horn to assess ecological damage and erosion risk, and began coordinating a phased restoration plan with the Spring Creek Society.
Parks staff told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board that city departments halted clearing activity in the Spring Creek Preserve after board members and residents raised concerns in mid-June.
Parks staff said they first learned of clearing from an email and site photos forwarded by board member David Parrish. A parks staff member visited the Fred Harris section the next morning and told crews the work needed to stop because it was occurring inside preserve boundaries. The department then contacted Water Utilities management; the work was paused and city management became aware the week of June 23.
The clearing ultimately extended to the Half Park side of the preserve, and staff confirmed to the board that Kimley-Horn has been engaged to prepare a restoration plan and ecological assessment. Parks staff said Kimley-Horn—s Phase 1 scope will take about 75 days and includes recommendations for erosion protection, an inventory of damage to trees and understory plants, a plan for clearing and disposition of brush, and a technical memo with suggested short-term actions. Staff said that contract was awarded by city council this week (as of the Aug. 6 meeting).
Spring Creek Society representatives told the board they appreciated the city response and said earlier meetings with wastewater staff improved understanding of competing operational priorities, including access to manholes and aging sewer infrastructure within the creek bed. City staff said the manholes and sewer access needs were a driving reason water utilities sought access to the creek and that Kimley-Horn will provide a high-level cost estimate for replacing sewer lines in- or out-of- creek as part of the assessment.
Parks staff said they have paused some planned park projects in the area to avoid inefficient rework until Kimley-Horn completes data collection and issues recommendations. Society members and staff discussed plant propagation and a preference for using local genetics (propagules from existing preserve stock) rather than nursery stock for restoration plantings. The city committed to share Kimley-Horn—s findings with the Spring Creek Society and to coordinate on restoration and future trail and access decisions.
Board members discussed the need for clearer internal communication across city departments to prevent similar surprises, and staff said city management had directed greater coordination and pledged a measured approach rather than a "knee-jerk reaction."
