By admin 
GILBERT, AZ (AZFamily) — A multimillion-dollar renovation at Freestone Park is raising urgent questions about the survival of the turtles, ducks and other wildlife that have lived in the park’s lakes for nearly 40 years.
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Neighbors say the Town of Gilbert still has no plan to save them.
A community fixture, now under threat
The lakes at Freestone Park have long drawn Valley families looking to connect with nature amid the desert landscape. Red-eared sliders and domestic birds have made the water their permanent home, some arriving naturally and others released by pet owners over the years.
Park visitor Tasha Ellsworth said the lakefront has become a meaningful part of her family’s routine.
“It kind of builds that relationship, not just those core memories, but also like his love for animals,” she said.
Neighbor Kelly Zernich echoed that sentiment, calling the wildlife central to the park’s identity.
“These animals are the heartbeat of this park,” Zernich said. “They are the living things along with the ecological system that is the draw of the park.”
The town launched the renovation last month, and the project includes completely draining the park’s lakes for an estimated six to eight months. Crystal White of East Valley Wildlife said that timeline poses a serious threat to animals that have never had to fend for themselves.
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“They’re used to being fed. They’re used to having a water source,” White said. “So those six to eight months that the project is going to take place, they’re going to be displaced.”
A town spokesperson acknowledged the town does not know how many turtles are living in the lake. While the Phoenix Herpetological Society has agreed to take in a small fraction of the animals, no plan exists for the rest.
White said the stakes are clear.
“I don’t think any animal deserves that,” she said.
Town says rescue plan is being finalized
The Town of Gilbert said its goal is to establish a comprehensive plan to safely rescue the turtles before the renovation begins. The lake is expected to be drained in the coming weeks, giving the project team time to finalize rescue logistics. Pre-construction dredging is currently underway to clear debris in preparation for the eventual draining.
The town said the exact number of turtles in the lake will not be known until draining begins. The Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary has committed to rescuing several of the turtles, and the town said it is also coordinating with local charities and resident groups to help accommodate additional turtles that cannot be placed with the sanctuary.
White said the stakes remain high regardless.
“I don’t think any animal deserves that,” she said.
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