Some in Bedford are concerned about wildlife after phase one of renovations at Boys Ranch Park.
The construction changed the landscape of the park lake, removing an island in the middle where birds once nested and adding fountains and a retaining wall around the perimeter.
It's something the city says was done to improve lake, but some believe it decimated the natural ecosystem and ruined a habitat for wildlife.
Since the process of draining and dredging the lake began last year, Terri Robb and five other women, known to those around the park as the 'The Duck Ladies,' have fed and cared for the wildlife that remained.
According to the city, with help from the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife fish and turtles in the lake were relocated before the process began. Robb says citizens rescued turtles left behind.
Now, the concern is the lack of habitat, according to Robb, as well as ill or dead ducks they group says it has found around the park.
"Mallards and the geese are not affected just the Muscovy," Robb said.
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They believe several baby ducks found dead were unable to make it out of the water and drowned; however, the group is looking into what may be causing larger ducks, particularly Muscovy ducks, to die.
"Some days it's sad and others it's hard," Robb said.
"When we found babies that drowned that was especially sad, this is different because they are suffering through the process," said Robb, who was referring to a couple of larger dead ducks found Tuesday.
The group has launched an independent investigation to find out why some of the ducks may be sick or dying.
Bedford Mayor Jim Griffin says potential issues within the duck population could be the result of various reasons. He says a duck virus was discovered at the park 10 years ago, and it's why the law prohibits the city from relocating ducks to this day.
"The interesting thing about the ducks is that 10 years ago they contracted some sort of disease, a duck virus, and part of that was we discovered the previous lake used to have an island, everybody called it an island a piece of land in the center of it, it was infested with disease and when Texas Parks and wildlife came out they said you really have to do away with that it's a habitat for breeding more disease," Griffin said.
He also points to other animals like foxes that have been spotted around the lake, and adds that overfeeding is become a problem for all wildlife at Boys Ranch Park.
In fact, they city is discussing ways to educate people about feeding the wildlife and is even considering placing pay food dispensers at the park to help control the type and amount of food used, according to Griffin.
Still, the group of concerned citizens feels the city simply is not doing enough to protect the wildlife and create a suitable environment for them, despite the group voicing it's concerns to the city. They point to a lack of vegetation around the water due to the construction, and say there is now no natural food source in the lake.
"The animals need they need a safe haven to where they can get away to where they have shelter from the heat in the summer it's going to be 105° out there," Robb said.
They're also concerned about minimal places for wildlife to enter and exit the water.
"They have a very long way to go to get to safety because they can't navigate these walls," Robb said, "this is like a swimming hole that's what it is now, a big dirty swimming pool."
The city originally constructed one rock ramp for wildlife to enter and exit the water but recently constructed two more. Robb says that is not enough, and the turtles also need more areas to dry out and sun.
"Very disappointed, very disappointed in the City of Bedford to see the neglect and the lack of compassion," said Paula Botero.
The changes at Boys Ranch Park are part of a multi-million dollar bond to renovate the park.
"It has been a labor of love," said Griffin, "it's 68 acres, our largest park and we wanted to start to improve it."
There are four phases of the project and current changes are only a part of the 3.2-million dollar phase one, which also includes adding a channel from the lake, bridges, a new playground, covered areas and Frisbee golf course.
The lake will eventually be used for fishing, and there are plans to begin placing some fish into the water next month, and even larger fish next spring.
