This pictures shows the Foster Woods County Park pond from the south jetty. Photo courtesy of Steve Anderson.

The Foster Woods County Park transformation is one step closer to completion.

Last week G & R Miller Construction completed the pond restoration at the park, located southwest of Wellman. They raised the pond by two vertical feet, and increased the airflow of the pond by taking out some trees on the south bank. This will reduce the number of leaves entering the pond, which Washington County Conservation Director Steve Anderson believes added to the winterkill of the pond’s fishery. That entire hillside has been seeded to rye grass with the intention of turning it into prairie in the next two years. A small parking lot has been added to the north side of the pond, and two fishing jetties were created near the center of the pond, with a trail all the way around, all ADA compliant. Once nature adds water, Washington County Conservation will add fish, and they plan to add a small family shelter on the north shoreline.