The lagoon in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden expansion area has been de-watered to allow for the process of reshaping and stabilizing the lagoon to begin. Reshaping the lagoon will emphasize the expanse of the open water, and, when finished, will capture, clean, and aerate the water as a healthy and sustainable resource.

A bladder dam system has been implemented, allowing NOMA to drain the portion of the lagoon that falls within the perimeter of the sculpture garden expansion area with minimal impact on Big Lake, or the remainder of the lagoon. Consequently, the lagoon in the current sculpture garden will not be accessible by kayak, canoe, etc. during construction.

Throughout construction of the Besthoff Sculpture Garden Expansion, NOMA is following an environmental protection plan which details protocol addressing potential environmental concerns within the park, including wildlife within the construction area. Our environmental consultant and her team have been out in the lagoon on kayaks re-locating the fish and turtles during the de-watering process to make sure the animals are cared for.

Some neighbors in the area may have seen our environmental consultant and construction team wading through waste-deep mud on the morning of Friday, 3/16 in an attempt to rescue a pelican that was reportedly injured. The plan was to take the pelican to the Audubon Zoo for an assessment, but after about an hour of apparent encouragement from its parents, who were circling the area throughout the process, the pelican flew away on its own! You can view the pelican in the photos below.

NOMA looks forward to an ongoing dialog with our neighbors as the expansion project progresses. To get involved, ask questions or request further information, please contact Margaux Krane at press@noma.org.

For more information on the integration of a water-sensitive design into the Sculpture Garden Expansion, please visit our FAQs.