Washington County Conservation Board (WCCB) is injecting new life into a Wellman area park.

Foster Woods County Park, southwest of Wellman has had a long history of perpetual winter kill to the fish habitat in its pond. Conservation Director Steve Anderson says this project to improve the pond has been in the works for the last few years, and G & R Miller Construction is currently working on the park, “When it’s over and done here we’re going to have raised this pond by two vertical feet, as well as increase the air and light flow by taking some trees out on the south bank and then doing a lot of habitat enhancement. Eventually, meaning within the next year or so, we’re going to be putting a small shelter right on the shore and a parking lot, making it into a nice park as well.”

WCCB secured a Fish Habitat Stamp Fund grant for $15,480, which will cover 90% of the estimated cost of the pond improvement. Their contract with G & R Miller for rebuilding the pond, creating a parking lot, and building a trail around the pond is $51,390. WCCB will use the remainder of their $60,000 budget for the proposed shelter to be added on the north shoreline, and for installing rock in the parking lot. This project is also funded by a REAP Grant, and self-generated revenues, including $2,000 the board received by selling some logs from the park that were negatively impacting the pond. Anderson says the input the board received from Wellman area residents and relatives of the Fosters who donated the park have given them great incentive to get the project completed.