Restoring San Mateo’s Central Park treasure

But after decades of offering serene views and a chance to see koi feedings during summer months, the garden is in the middle of an 11-week hiatus while crews raise the edges of the southern portion of the pond and replace two aging bridges on the same side.

Fink explained the southern portion of the pond has sunken some 6 inches since it was built. The resulting water leakages have caused the pond to lose thousands of gallons of well water a day and made it subject to soil and dirt intrusion, he said. Since Sept. 4, when the pond closed, workers have removed rotting wood that once edged the southern side of the pond and fortified the edge with cement, said Fink. He added they will be focused on replacing two wooden bridges on the same side through Nov. 16, after which point the pond will reopen to the public.

“We’re anticipating we’re giving the pond at least another 50 years of life at a minimum,” he said.

Before the pond’s edges could be reinforced with cement, Fink said the pond’s dozens of koi — some of which have been living there for decades — were moved to the northern end, which was cordoned off from the work area. In replacing the redwood planks of the bridges, one of which was partially in the water and starting to rot, Fink said workers will be focused on ensuring the new wood looks aged and blends in with the setting.

Fink said most visitors won’t notice any difference once the work is complete, and is hoping the work both reduces pond maintenance and ensures it stays authentic to its original design.

Mike Blondino, division manager for the Parks and Recreation Department, said the work is also expected to stabilize the environment for the koi. Blondino said the cement edges are curing in open air before the pond is filled again to manage the pH level of the water, which can affect the health of the fish.

He added the temporary closure has allowed staff to do long-overdue pruning in areas that aren’t easily accessed when the garden is open daily.

“Our staff has been able to get into places where they haven’t been able to get into before,” he said. “It’s tough to work in a living, breathing garden.”

The closure has also allowed Fink to tune up the water filtration system and pumps that make the water flow from a waterfall on the northern end of the garden to a stream and throughout the pond. In his four years working for San Mateo, Fink said he’s learned a great deal about pond maintenance, which he said isn’t quite as easy as it might seem on the surface.

“It’s not just fill up a ditch with water and let fish grow,” he said. “Keeping these fish healthy and alive is a challenge.”

Fink added raccoons and larger birds like cranes have preyed on the fish, so staff have created shelters for them in different parts of the pond where they are safe from predators. Having budgeted $300,000 for the work, Fink expected it to come in at or under budget and encouraged both first-time visitors and dedicated fans to come see it once it’s complete.

“It’s a great place to at least come once a year and just walk around and enjoy and see right here in the middle of a big, urban environment you have something this tranquil,” he said.

anna@smdailyjournal.com

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