City and County leaders have begun work on a $15 million project to enhance Elmendorf Lake Park on the West Side with people-friendly and environmentally sensitive features.

Rain gardens, wetlands, bio-filtration swales and an aerator will reduce surface runoff of contaminants and sediment into the lake and oxygenate the water for fish and other wildlife as part of the project, which broke ground Tuesday. Expanded bus stops, pedestrian bridges, a fishing pier and 4,100 feet of hike and bike trails also are included in the project just north of Our Lady of the Lake University.