Base once set to be flattened and turned into a baseball field.

It was Cooper's Island's "unique plants and natural beauty'' that saved it in the end, Mr. Jim Simmen of the US Naval Air Station's Environmental Office said yesterday.

Cooper's Island is the area between Clearwater Beach and Castle Harbour Bay.

Apart from a general clean-up of the area, some 350 trees will be planted, most of which were bought locally by the US Navy.

Mr. Jeremy Madeiros of the Parks Department also offered to donate some private stock endemic plants.

Other local contributions to creating the park included advice from Bermuda Zoological Society collections officer Ms Lisa Greene on what to plant to attract native birds and butterflies.

And Government Conservation Officer Dr. David Wingate volunteered his crew for three days to blaze a trail through rugged jumby beans, pesky Brazilian Pepper Trees and other encroaching plants that would be detrimental to the growth of endemic plants.

The US NAS Public Works Department had earlier braved thick patches of poison ivy to remove coils of concertina wire and unearth engines and even a paddle boat to create a scenic walkway.

It is hoped the park will be ready in time to be included in the Bermuda National Trust's annual Palm Sunday walk.

Dr. Wingate, who lives on nearby Nonsuch Island, has long wanted to turn the area into a park because of the number of native trees and plants growing in it.

There was much controversy several years ago when it was suggested the area be levelled to make for a ball field.

Parks Director Mr. Bill Cook said that when the base was returned to Bermuda, his department would try and get the area into the national parks system.

When the trees arrive, students from the US Base's Chaffee High School and Elementary School will help plant them.

"Right now there is a lot of work still to be done,'' Mr. Simmen said. Anyone interested in helping clear the land can call the NAS Public Works Department Environmental Office.

SAVED -- Once it was set to be levelled to make room for a baseball field. But its unique plants saved it. The US Naval Air Station's Coopers Island, the area between Clearwater Beach and Castle Harbour Bay, is to be made into a nature park.