North Stonington — Just in time for the holidays, the town's Conservation Commission delivered a gift to locals, turning an often-used dumping ground into a "pocket park" without using any town government funds.

The project, which had been in the works since nearly Christmas of last year, focused on an area that greets visitors on their way into town at the intersection of two state highways, routes 49 and 184. The area, once frequently littered with trash and used as a shortcut around the traffic light, now is a "pocket park" boasting an assortment of colors and greenery, including rosebud, low bush blueberry and red cedars.

Pocket parks, while generally not having things like playground equipment, are small green space areas created on vacant land.

"We wanted to beautify the main entrances instead of having it a dumping ground," said Bill Ricker, chairman of the Conservation Commission. "Where people turned off and parked, we wanted to create something that was attractive."

Back in 2013 when the town put forth its Plan of Conservation and Development, one page highlighted the idea of doing something at the busy intersection. Three corners were owned by the state, but for several years no action was taken and all the while the area became a popular dumping ground, pull-off spot and place for drivers to hazardously cut through in an attempt to avoid the traffic light.

So just before Christmas last year, Ricker approached the state Department of Transportation about creating a more beautified green space in the area. In turn DOT laid out a series of requirements, including needing a full-scale survey of the area, and then eight months later officially approved the project.

In order to really get the project off the ground, though, the Conservation Commission relied on a community effort.

Estimating the project's cost around $2,500, the commission did not want to ask for funds from the Board of Finance, so instead it took the project on as an initiative and asked for donations from local residents. More than a dozen residents contributed cash donations to the project, while two larger group donors — the Chelsea-Groton Foundation and the North Stonington Citizen Land Alliance — stepped up as well, helping to meet the fundraising goal.

Additionally other residents offered services to help the project along. Sergio Cherenzia provided the survey of the area and Mike Christie of Christie Landscaping provided all the loam and seed at cost.

Volunteer conservation commissioners, both past and present, then did all the physical labor, including shoveling, raking and planting in the area beginning in September.

"Here we have a really strong community effort to build this place," Ricker said.

Now, despite a few setbacks, including a traffic accident cutting directly through the park almost immediately after the commission finished hydroseeding, the "pocket park" is done.

"People who live in the area, people who go by the area, have already appreciated it," Ricker said, referencing residents who have come by Town Hall commenting on the space. "It's changed from a gravel pull-off into an attractive little spot."

c.clark@theday.com