Bring Back the Ducks!!!
Photo of El Dorado Duck Pond Restoration Project sign.
December 20, 2022
El Dorado Park, off North Studebaker Rd. and East Willow St., has been under construction as of Sept. 2022, with contractors scheduled to work Mon-Fri from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This is all part of the El Dorado Duck Pond Project, which is set in place to be finished by late 2023. The purpose of this project is to improve the water quality, enhance ecological function and pond’s habitat by replacing the pond liner, filtering out invasive species, and enlarging the wetlands and forebay, a canal that functions as a buffer to avoid flooding, making visiting experiences more pleasant.
Making improvements to the pond to make it eco-friendly has been a major priority. The park has partnered with the Long Beach Water Department to conserve as much water as possible. They developed a reclaimed water system in which they will be using treated pond water to irrigate the El Dorado Park Golf Course, which will create an immense impact on the community. It is important to know that the system will provide filtration and disinfection for the water going through the irrigation system.
Mr. Cruz Cardenas, the AP Environmental Science teacher and girl’s soccer coach here at Millikan, agrees that this project will benefit the community and the pond’s surrounding environment.
“It’s encouraging for the public to see that the city is taking action to reduce one of the most wasteful activities, using fresh water for the golf course. Just that alone has a large impact on the city’s water usage,” says Cardenas. “Furthermore, it will allow for the natural filtration of toxins that are bad for the organisms that live around the pond.”
Cardenas thinks that this project is important, but also he believes that other issues should be addressed quickly. “This project is a step in the right direction as we work to conserve more fresh water.”
“There are other sectors of the city that need to be resolved concurrently. This, in my opinion, is simply a single solution for a single problem that doesn’t take into account other issues related to our difficulty with waste management, carbon-neutral public transportation, water reclamation efforts in other sectors, flood control, rainwater reclamation, and public spaces sanitation among other environmental justice issue,” Cardenas adds.
According to the provided timeline, the pond was drained as of Nov. 2022 allowing contractors to address and repair cracks, improve access, and make the pond a recycled water reservoir. For more information please visit the Long Beach Public Works website.
Aubrey Camp • Feb 23, 2023 at 10:24 am
On December 20th, Tere Quezada wrote an article titled “Bring Back the Ducks!!!”. The article mentions that El Dorado Park, off North Studebaker Rd. and East Willow St., has been under construction since Sept. 2022. It mentions that this is part of the El Dorado Duck Pond Project, which aims to improve the water quality, enhance ecological function and pond’s habitat by replacing the pond liner, filter out invasive species, and enlarge the wetlands and forebay, create a canal that functions as a buffer to avoid flooding, and make visiting experiences more pleasant. The article explains how The park has partnered with the Long Beach Water Department to conserve as much water as possible. The article quotes Mr. Cruz Cardenas, the AP Environmental Science teacher, explaining how the project will benefit the community and the pond’s surrounding environment. “it will allow for the natural filtration of toxins that are bad for the organisms that live around the pond.” I like how this article mentions the opinion of someone who has knowledge in the environmental field and questions what else would help the environment in our community. Cardenas mentions that “There are other sectors of the city that need to be resolved concurrently. This, in my opinion, is simply a single solution for a single problem that doesn’t take into account other issues related to our difficulty with waste management, carbon-neutral public transportation, water reclamation efforts in other sectors, flood control, rainwater reclamation, and public spaces sanitation among other environmental justice issue,” explaining the further steps Long Beach can take, to improve our environment.
Matthew Temple • Feb 1, 2023 at 1:22 pm
On December 20, Tere Quezada wrote an article titled “Bring Back the Ducks!!!”. The article talks about the new project that will improve the Long Beach Duck Pond by using water more efficiently, “filtering out invasive species, enlarging the wetland and forebay”. When I first saw the fences up around the pond I wondered what they could be for. After a while, someone told me that they were going to re-due the duck pond. When I heard about this, I was really excited because the sidewalk around the pond was cracked and broken, and the pond itself was moldy and green. I think it’s great that they are working with the Water Department to conserve water, as it seems that California is always in a drought. I also like the idea of reusing the water used to water the golf courses with the pond, it’s a very creative way of saving water. How are they going to get rid of all the water in the pond? Once they get rid of the water, what are they going to do with it? Thank you for bringing this information to my attention.
Rylee Noel • Feb 1, 2023 at 11:58 am
On December 20, Tere Quezada wrote an article titled “Bring Back the Ducks” The article talks about the construction that is going on at “El Dorado Park, off North Studebaker Rd. and East Willow St” and the El Dorado Duck Pond Project. She goes into explaining that this project is to “improve the water quality, enhance ecological function and pond’s habitat by replacing the pond liner, filtering out invasive species” and more. Along with this that she has provided us about the point of the project she also interviewed an AP environmental science teacher at our school. He explained how this project is beneficial but that it’s simply not enough to stop here. This article has informed us on what’s going on within the community but also explains what as a community we should be helping promote. Not only is this project helping the community through the water system it is also beneficial for animals that live in these habitats. Tere Quezada did a great job getting reliable and factual information from the city but also by getting an outside perspective, who has knowledge on the topic. This article has given an immense amount of information on the El Dorado Duck Pond Project that we probably didn’t know before.
Hailey • Jan 31, 2023 at 1:04 pm
On December 20, Tere Quezada wrote an article titled “Bring Back the Ducks!!!” Every day on my way home from school I saw the progression of the pond being covered up for the construction. But I had never thought to look up why it was taking place, or the time frame of the closure. After reading the article I am glad to know the reason even though I do miss seeing the pond when I drive by. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product and am wondering if I will notice a significant difference to the appearance of the pond. I am glad to see more work being done to the stagnant ponds Long Beach has. Another location I see them working on is at the Colorado Lagoon and Marine Stadium where they are connecting the lagoon to the ocean to better the conditions for aquatic life. I feel that it is very important that cities work on improving the environment as well as individuals, since the city has the power of numbers and can set an example for people to follow. I’m really glad that people are bringing attention to the improvements the city is working towards.
Hailey • Jan 31, 2023 at 1:00 pm
On December 20, Tere Quezada wrote an article titled “Bring Back the Ducks!!!” Every day on my way home from school I saw the progression of the pond being covered up for the construction. But I had never thought to look up why it was taking place, or the time frame of the closure. After reading the article I am glad to know the reason even though I do miss seeing the pond when I drive by. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product and am wondering if I will notice a significant difference to the appearance of the pond. I am glad to see more work being done to the stagnant ponds Long Beach has. Another location I see them working on is at the Colorado Lagoon and Marine Stadium where they are connecting the lagoon to the ocean to better the conditions for aquatic life. I’m glad people are bringing attention to the improvements the city is working towards.
Nyeli • Jan 31, 2023 at 11:28 am
31 January, 2023
Dear Corydon Editor,
On the twentieth of December in 2022, Tere Quezada wrote the article titled “Bring Back the Ducks!!!” This article stuck with me particularly due to California’s water shortage. The state’s been in a drought for years, and altering an existing structure to make it more eco-friendly is a huge step forward. Using reclaimed water, as is being done at the moment, to water fields and lawns has an immense impact on the availability of freshwater for other uses. Some of these include cooking, drinking, bathing, and other daily necessities that we need in our day to day lives. It’s also nice to see that other measures are being taken against invasive species that frequently damage the surrounding environments. Combined with the filtration and treatment of the water in the irrigation systems, it’ll be much safer for the native wildlife and our pets to be in the area. Its added functions as a reservoir, while simultaneously being a pond, grants this project the function of being responsible for watering the golf fields with reclaimed water. The gradual improvement of similar structures, and those that are unrelated but equally important, has the potential to impact our lives in a truly meaningful way.
Sincerely,
Nyeli Partida, Grade 11
Sam Martynec • Jan 31, 2023 at 11:17 am
Dear Corydon Editor,
On December 20, Tere Quezada wrote a news article titled “Bring Back the Ducks!!!” The article mentions the plans for the El Dorado Duck Pond Project, set to be done at the end of 2023. The plan includes developing a new water system using treated pond water to irrigate the El Dorado Park Golf Course. This is great to hear because it will allow the city of Long Beach to conserve more water which is extra important where we live, since California is known to be in droughts. Along with this Mr. Cruz Cardenas, AP environmental science teacher at Millikan, voiced his opinion saying that this project will definitely help and is a step in the right direction. I think having Mr. Cruz share his thoughts on this topic definitely builds your article since he is highly educated and works in the environmental science field, the same subject involved in completing this project. Prior to reading this article, I was not exactly sure as to what was happening during the El Dorado Duck Pond Project, but now I am glad to have the information regarding such a big plan near my home and the fact that they are having it done in a way that will help make our environment more eco-friendly.
Angie Del Gaudio • Jan 31, 2023 at 11:11 am
On December 20, Tere Quezada wrote an article titled “Bring Back the Ducks!!!” In this article she explains to readers the details regarding a construction project taking place at El Dorado Park, in order to make the duck pond more eco-friendly, safe for park goers, environmentally sustainable, as well as a to begin to find ways to reduce the amount of fresh water being wasted in the city of Long Beach. I personally really enjoyed your article, and thought it was an incredible topic. I had no clue there was such a huge restoration project happening in our own backyard! I have been going to El Dorado Park since I was a little girl, and have always enjoyed feeding the ducks at the pond. I have even had to chase my dog into the pond a few times, but as I got older the pond began to turn green, sidewalks were covered in water and residue, and the pond was coated in algae and other invasive plant life. This is why I was so thrilled when I read your article. I am so happy that the city is taking the time to improve such a wonderful area that helps create so many amazing memories for the citizens of Long Beach. I am on the Youth Leadership Long Beach team, and our main focus is on environmental conservation/restoration projects in Long Beach, for example Willow Springs on Orange Ave, and I am very excited to bring the El Dorado Restoration Project up at our next meeting! You did a wonderful job with this article, thank you for taking the time to write about this topic and continuing to spread environmental awareness to our school.
Collin McCormick • Jan 31, 2023 at 11:07 am
On December 20, Tere Quezada wrote an article titled “Bring Back the Ducks!!!” The article draws readers with the use of ducks in the title and also by using the three exclamation marks at the end of it. This shows the reader that there is a sense of urgency on the topic and that they may want to learn more about it. Quezada also talks about all of the reasons why the pond is getting worked on and how it can not only improve the lives of the animals but also makes the visiting of the pond more enjoyable. They also talk about the golf course and the change to the water that may happen which could get golfers, like myself, more intrigued in the project. Finally, Quezada gets an interview from Mr Cardenas, the AP Environmental Science teacher and girl’s soccer coach at Millikan. This was a great choice for an interview because not only does he teach here so many students may know him and believe what he says about the duck pond but he teaches environmental science. He actually knows what goes on and why this kind of stuff happened so that would make it more apparent that this article is real and truthful. Thank you for teaching me more about this project
Kyle Hunt • Jan 31, 2023 at 9:35 am
On December 20, Tere Quezada wrote an article titled “Bring Back the Ducks!!!”. I enjoyed this article because I used to be parked with my dad in front of the duck pond waiting for my middle school to open, and now we only pass by it occasionally and recently I’ve seen a fence around the pond. It is nice to know the story behind what’s going on there and what the project is trying to do. I only have minor suggestions for the article. Despite the name of the article, there’s not a lot of commentary of what this project means for the ducks themselves. Although general explanations like “benefitting the pond’s surrounding environment” capture the idea of how the project will impact the ducks, it doesn’t give a direct explanation, i.e. how replacing the pond liner and filtering out invasive species will enhance ecological function and the pond’s habitat. I’d suggest talking about the wildlife in the article a bit more because someone clicking on the article may have clicked expecting a talk about the ducks and not the duck pond itself. Also, there’s more reading retention if you talk about/photograph cute animals. This is only a minor suggestion as the article is fine as is and talking about the community and its environmental efforts may be the only topic that needs to be focused in the article. I overall enjoyed the article, and am glad to be more informed about something that was once a part of my daily life.
Mia Iovine • Jan 31, 2023 at 9:16 am
On December 20, Tere Quezada wrote an article titled “Bring Back the Ducks!!!” The article mentions that the El Dorado Park pond is under construction to improve the water quality and enhance the ecological function of the pond. Prior to the article, I had no idea this project was happening and it is great to hear that the city is putting effort in to become more sustainable. Although, I do have a few questions. In the article, it is briefly mentioned that the pond has been drained. Seeing as the title of the article is in reference to the ducks that would usually live in the pond, where have they gone? Were the ducks relocated to a new pond while the current one is being remodeled? Are they left with no pond? Mr. Cruz Cardenas says that watering the golf course with fresh water is one of the most wasteful activities. How often do they need to water the golf course and how much water does this end up using? This information would also answer the question of how much water will this project end up saving, which I think is an important question. Thank you for introducing me to this project and I greatly enjoyed reading the article.