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The recent restoration of Crystal Springs Creek as it runs through Westmoreland Park in Southeast Portland has earned national recognition.

The $2 million project, which was completed late last year, recently received the Sustainable Parks, Recreation and Open Space Project Award from the American Planning Association in its Awards for Excellence in Sustainability program.

The awards honor projects, plans, policies, individuals and organizations whose work is dedicated to supporting and growing sustainable communities. The winners were announced during APA’s National Planning Conference, held last week in Seattle.

The joint effort to restore Crystal Springs and improve wildlife habitat was led by Portland Parks & Recreation, the Bureau of Environmental Services and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Other project funders included Metro and TriMet.

Springfield-based Hamilton Construction Co. served as the general contractor.

Construction work involved tearing out a concrete duck pond in Westmoreland Park, where the creek had been diverted, and replacing it with a more natural stream channel with pools and riffles that provides better fish habitat. Native plants were also planted on the stream banks to shade and cool the water.

Other aspects of the project included adding a boardwalk, overlooks, seating, paths, lighting and picnic areas. In a concurrent project, the park’s playground was renovated into a nature play area.