Returning a familiar cast

June Casagrande

This is the park that love built. The 17-acre Castaways Park, a

stunning bluff-top spot overlooking the southern end of the Back Bay,

will receive nearly $100,000 for environmental improvements -- mostly

because residents there have put so much heart into the little expanse of

plants, trails and wetlands.

“One of the main reasons we’re so supportive of this park is because

there was so much local support of it. We’re just following the lead of

the residents,” said Dick Wayman, spokesman for the California Coastal

Conservancy, which is providing the grant for the park. “Community

members love the park.”

Soon, everyone will have reason to love it even more. With the grant

from the coastal conservancy, the city will make some important

environmental improvements. First off, they will replace nonnative plants

there with native vegetation, restoring habitat areas for wildlife that

called the park home before civilization ever showed up. This is likely

to create cozy homes for the California gnatcatcher and the coastal

cactus wren, along with different species of raptor.

But, while they’re at it, workers will throw in an extra perk for

people too: City crews will replace a network of informal trails with

formal paths designed to protect habitats. Trails now there have been

blazed pell-mell by visitors traipsing through the park. The new path

will steer visitors along a scenic route that, unlike the existing

trails, don’t send people trampling through the spots where birds and

other animals make their homes. And of course, these trails will offer

stunning views of the bay.

A “demonstration garden” also will be part of the refurbished park.

This will be a spot where visitors can learn about the native plants and

animals there.

“The coastal conservancy is very happy to be a part of this,” Wayman

said, “to support the local work of long-term residents who love this

park.”