Changes are being made to the Helland Nature Park in north central Junction City.

City Commissioner Pat Landes said this week clearing work is under way for a retention pond and dirt is being removed for the on-ramps along US 77 Highway.

Some of the trails created earlier in the park along a creek bed will go away. “Because part of that is going to be part of the retention pond. But we’re going to have a good size dam there, and what we plan on doing is having a walkway from the existing parking lot along Rucker Road to go straight across the dam. That will connect with the other trails that they built on the bluffs up there.”

There will be an effort to stock the retention pond with fish.

Landes said there have been discussions with fish and wildlife personnel, and they’re willing to assist. “They have given us grant applications that we’re starting to fill out now to pay for things around the retention pond as well. So it will be not just a great place to walk or run, but also a place to go fishing here in town.”