Katrina Berman gave Moscow one of the greatest gifts she could — her land.

Berman worked with the Palouse Land Trust to establish the Berman Creekside Park in 1996, said PLT executive director Lovina Englund. She wanted to create a park and leave a legacy for her late husband, herself and her daughter.

The park is now a legacy for the late Katrina Berman. Her daughter and family can enjoy the land with everyone else in the area, she said.

Berman Creekside Park was the first property easement the PLT worked on, and the group worked along-side the City of Moscow to create Berman’s vision, Englund said.

“Katrina and her donation was truly the catalyst for green spaces in Moscow,” she said. “The city wouldn’t be what it is without her donation and her dream.”

The PLT’s part of the easement is to contact the City of Moscow at least once a year to make sure Berman’s wishes are being followed and respected, Englund said.

The park is known for its trails and open areas. People oftentimes spot wildlife, such as raccoons, gophers and skunks. There are also a lot of old fruit trees, Englund said.

There is a big picnic shelter that is constructed out of all the local woods in the area, such as cedar, white pine and tamarack, she said.

“The entire forest is on display here,” Englund said. “There’s an incredible amount of usage here at the park.”

Berman was community-minded and wanted to create a beautiful space in Moscow. With the help of the PLT, she had an added layer of confidence in keeping her dream alive, Englund said.

“When you see the park, and other parks similar, you just see the beautiful land. But what you don’t see, and what we want to teach, is the history and the roots of the parks,” Englund said.

After Berman Creekside Park was established, similar parks were created, she said. The Rabbit Hills Preserve is another public accessible green space that was donated by a citizen of the area.

“Everyone’s goal was to keep the land beautiful,” Englund said.

She said the best part of working for the PLT is giving people options for the land and helping them create their vision for the future. It’s exciting to the organization that helps people with their love for the land.