Waterfront wetland is well underway (photos)

Don't let the huge holes in the dirt and mounds of earth all over the waterfront near City Hall fool you.

By the third of fourth week in September, it will be a fully functioning wetland around which will run a pedestrian trail and a bike trail separated by berms and two plazas from which you'll be able view the wetland area.

"The extent of the project is along the shoreline of Clergue Park," says Steve Turco a planner for the City of Sault Ste. Marie. "It will run from beside City Hall to the area by the library and Art Gallery of Algoma."

The lion's share of the wetland area was bankrolled with a $144,000 grant from Brookfield Power and incorporates the theme of natural sustainability, says Turco.

It's designed to become a self-sustaining wetland area.

"We are converting it to a natural state and incorporating features that are found in a wetland such as plantings, water and fish habitat," said Turco. "At the end of the day it will function as a real wetland."

The remainder of the project funding came from the City of Sault Ste. Marie and a grant from Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.