Waterford ― The $2.2 million Civic Triangle Park project has not progressed without challenges.

Since work began last August, heavy rains battered the region, turtles were killed while crossing Rope Ferry Road, and residents criticized project officials over trees being cut down.

But Miriam Wagner, the chairwoman of the Town Center Ad-Hoc Committee, which has helped plan the project, said Tuesday she is proud it has progressed to the point where residents can really “get a picture of it, how it’s going to look in your mind.”

On what for months looked like a big mud pit, drivers on Rope Ferry Road are now beginning to see the features of a renovated, more accessible park. Crews are now working on an S-shaped walkway up to the library and a stonewall.

“Obviously they have a lot of soil prep, and grass and stuff to go down, but you can actually see all of where the walkway is and where the rock wall is,” Wagner said.

She applauded Preston-based contractor Suchoki and Son, Inc., on its work so far, which has included dredging the duck pond and installing a handicap-accessible boardwalk, concrete walkways and basking logs for the remaining turtles.

“It’s really amazing where we are right now, and I’m really pleased with the progress given all the other things they’ve had to deal with,” Wagner said.

She and Planning Director Jonathan Mullen said the remaining work includes finishing walkways and lighting around the pond and up to library, and building the Arnold E. Holm Jr. memorial entryway at the entrance from Rope Ferry Road.

The current phases of the project are expected to be complete by this summer.

“They’re also going to do streetscape trees between the sidewalk and the rock wall, which over time will give us some spectacular color in the fall and shade in the summer and spring,” Wagner said, adding the trees would not block the view of the park from the road.

Last year, the town agreed to use $945,000 from the town budget to drain and dredge the pond, and $1.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to construct the handicap-accessible sidewalks and boardwalk, memorial plaza, lighting and landscaping.

d.drainville@theday.com