The City's purchase of this centrally located forty-four acre wetland from the Neary family in 1967 started a critical upturn in the preservation, enhancement, and management of the resource. Public access abuse, degraded water and vegetation, expansion of water treatment facilities and encroaching development were planned for resolution with the adoption of the 1977 Master Plan. Using the Master Plan and related previously completed biological studies, Callander Associates completed the planning and prepared construction documents in 1994. The project included a system of public access walks, bridges, and floating boardwalks to protect sensitive wildlife habitats. The system allows park management to control public access on a daily and seasonal basis to protect nesting habitats and other resources. The loop trail system is fully accessible and guides visitors through a series of interpretive panels. A comprehensive, interpretative display was designed by Sharon Erspamer of Design Science, graphic designer. The overall master planning, graphic design and construction implementation were key to the project receiving the California Park and Recreation Society's statewide award for Facility Planning and Design.