When it was decided that the City should entertain the idea of building an environmental education center, a firm which specialized in such concepts was engaged. Cambridge Seven Associates was commissioned to design a unique facility devoted to education, entertainment on the grounds, and environmental awareness. The master plan creates a synergy between the elements of Sturgeon City including the park and the environmental education center.

The master plan called for the Environmental education center to be 43,111 square feet and to focus on the Sturgeon and other fauna and flora that share ancient lineage and habitats found in Coastal Carolina. The design concept was focused on the adaptive reuse of the wastewater treatment plant.

The Master Landscape Plan was designed by Carol R. Johnson and Associates and won a special award from the Boston Society of Landscape Architects for best adaptive reuse plan. Portions of the park were constructed in 2003-04 and the City is actively seeking to construct more of the park.