The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden is undergoing construction as part of the Waterway Enhancement Project. 

Phase 1 of this project, spanning from 2016 to 2018, occurred in the East End, and targeted the improvement of water flow and quality. Currently, Phase 2 continues the construction from Lake Spafford to the West End. This is funded by a $5.4 million grant from the state, matched by $2.5 million from the university, the largest grant the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden has ever received. 

Construction, which aims to improve stormwater capacity, create native plant habitats on the banks and improve water quality, started in April 2024 and is set to be finished in the fall 2025. 

Nina Suzuki, waterway steward at the Arboretum, is one of the team leads for the project, which includes the coordination with a range of contractors, consultants, government resource agencies, volunteers and UC Davis environmental planning and design offices. “We are so excited to be making this transformation after many thoughtful years of collaboration with our Campus Planning office, faculty and other campus and community partners,” Suzuki said.

Suzuki and her team wrote a grant proposal to the California Natural Resources Agency in 2020 and were able to secure the funding for Phase 2. Aside from an unexpected period of rain, the construction is on schedule and running smoothly, she said.

Suzuki added that the Arboretum strives to improve the accessibility of pathways and to construct a boardwalk overlooking the wider sections of the waterway. “We have dreams of continuing to improve the visitor experience we have, but nothing that's funded yet,” she said.