CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH

Veterans Parkway

LANDSCAPE MASTER PLAN

GUIDELINES

MIA LEHRER+ASSOCIATESURBAN DESIGN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Create a masterd t th t illdocument that will guide future

Project goal:

guide futureimprovements, goal:maintenance h lscheduling, and 

donor policiesdonor policies.

Two Documents

To document process and findings Guidelines Manual

Three Community Meetings Three Community Meetings to Gather Community Input

#1 - Monday, March 11

Findings compiled here

yCome and share your ideas

#2 - Thursday, April 11 Review of findings and comments Present concept ideas

#3 Thursday May 02#3 - Thursday, May 02Draft presentation & comments

Community Workshop #1Monday, March 1140 attendeesGoal: To elicit community opinion

Advertising the eventwebsiteposters

Data Collection StrategiesVeterans Parkway is …..Questionnaire

email blastsnewspaper ads

Postings on websiteEmails

Data Compilation

Findings compiled here

Community Workshop #2Thursday, May 0277 attendeesGoal: To present findingsp g

To confirm that ML+A had captured and understood community sentimentTo present concept and collect feedback

Data Compilation

Findings compiled here

Community Workshop #3Thursday, April 1135 attendeesGoal: To present Draft Master Plan Guidelinesp

To moderate an open Q&A and solicit community comments

What we heard

The community has strong opinions about

the boulders and seatwallsFindings compiled here

the type of plants and treesthe bike paththe dog runthe wood chips

What we heard

The community loves the Parkway because of…the natural, unplanned, rustic wild lookthe path and surfacethe path and surfacethe tranquility, feeling of privacy and separationthe only place to take a walk without fencing, asphalt or concrete

h i d ’ h h The community doesn’t want much change except…to improve safetyto move toward more native, drought-tolerant plant materialto add a few amenities: more benches drinking fountains improved signageto add a few amenities: more benches, drinking fountains, improved signage

What we think

Veterans Parkway is a community asset. The appeal and value of the Parkway lies in its function as a passive, tranquil parkway. The basic nature of the parks should remain intact.p

In order to KEEP these qualities and values, the City must improve how it is managed:

Develop a Landscape Master PlanDevelop a Landscape Master PlanDevelop a Succession Plan

based on Civil site survey Civil site survey an inventory of trees an arborist’s evaluation of health, age and structure of trees evaluation of pests on site working knowledge of the existing irrigation systemworking knowledge of the existing irrigation system working knowledge of plant communities appropriate to this area understanding of the effects that any future improvements may have introduction of landscape elements to carve out Places within

Spaces to reinforce continuitySpaces, to reinforce continuity

Landscape Master Plan Guidelines

LMP Goals

The Concept

A Braided Parkway

Th 3 b id d t dThe 3 braided strands:plantsexperienceslandscape elements

Continuity & Diversity

landscape elements

y y

createPLACESWITHIN SPACES

createPLACESWITHIN

Master PlanGuidelines here

WITHIN SPACES

Examples of Recommendations

1 Work in Zones1 Work in Zones

2 Work in Phases

3 Use the Plant Selection Decision Matrix

4 Introduce Landscape Elements to reinforce continuityto define Places within Spacesto define Places within Spaces

5 Work with donors & volunteers – GREAT resources!

Examples of Recommendations

1 Work in ZONES1 Work in ZONES

‘Braiding’ the Parkway ensures continuity, but

break the Parkway into zones discover the defining characteristics of the g

zones prioritize zones and search for funding for specific projects/zonessearch for funding for specific projects/zones

The GUIDELINES:

Recommendationsby Zone

Demonstration zonesDemonstration zones

Civic Core

Gateways

2 Work in PHASES

Prioritize, based on

soils stabilization for public safetyevaluation of pests on site for management controlevaluation of irrigation systemevaluation of irrigation systemassessment of fire riskevaluation of safety issues (e.g., handrails on stairs)

strengthen gateway zonesCivic Coreto anchor north and south access points

long-term interventions for successionlong-term interventions for succession

PhasingPlan

phasing criteriaphasing criteria

1 Safety (access & erosion)Strengthening the gateways

2 Demonstration zones in partnership with stakeholders and the community

3 Long term succession and maintenance

Phasing& Costs(Based on 2013 prevailing wage, typical public works construction projects.)

P i it Ph 1Priority Phase 1

The Valley – $423,000 to $706,00015 St. Gateway - $165,000 to $282,000MB Blvd Gateway – $115,000 to $200,000Transition to HB – $640,000 to $1,035,000

Phasing & Costs: EXAMPLE, PHASE I ZONE I

What we see Problems & Recommendations

Address slope stabilization issuesAddress drainage issuesInfill with Acacias & understory

What you do What it costs

Infill with Acacias & understoryAssess sight/privacy issues with adjacent

buildings and infill with trees if necessaryConsolidate desire paths where possible

Strengthen north access/gateway:g g yExplore transition to mallDevelop bike path spur from N. Valley Dr. to mallDevelop family of signage

Parkway Welcome signPark HoursEmergencies: Dial 911Emergencies: Dial 911Alcohol consumptionMotorized vehiclesAmplified soundCyclingRollerskating/skateboarding

Other regulatory signage g y g gDogs must be leashedPick up after your petSmoke-free zonePlease watch your step! (Greenbelt Restoration Project)

Mileage markers

Phasing& Costs(Based on 2013 prevailing wage typical public work construction projects.)

Phase 2

Natives– $600,000 to $1,060,000Civic Allee– $270,000 to $460,000Sycamore Allee - $178,000 to $305,000Sy amore Allee $ , $ ,Butterfly Garden – $270,000 to $453,000Olive Grove / Mediterranean Garden –

$700,000 to $1,121,000

Phasing& Costs(Based on 2013 prevailing wage typical public work construction projects.)

Phase 3Flexible Open Space – $440,000 to $750,000The Olive Grove – $205,000 to $352,000Pine Mix – $368,000 to $593,000The Dale $800 000 t $1 300 000The Dale – $800,000 to $1,300,000The Cliff – $828,000 to $1,345,000Park View – $640,000 to $1,090,000Beach View – $580,000 to $940,0002nd St Intersection $278 000 t $445 0002nd St Intersection – $278,000 to $445,000

3 Use the Plant Selection Decision Matrix

FOUNDATION PLANT LISTBelongs to Coastal Scrub plant communityCan be used as understoryCan be used to stabilize slopesThrives in shade conditionsTolerates abuse in the public right-of-way

PLANT SELECTION DECISION CRITERIA MATRIX

Add to this plant palette. The MBBG staff is a great resourceAsk these questions. Plants must pass first four for inclusion in the list.

Is plant on an invasive list?Does it tolerate reclaimed water?Does it tolerate salt air/salty soils?Does it do well in local soil conditions?Does it do well in local soil conditions?

Is it a California native?What is the height  x width?  Will it fit your site design requirements?Does plant material require moderate to heavy maintenance?Wh h i WUCOLS (S h C l R i )?What are the water requirements per WUCOLS (South Coastal Region)?Can plant be grouped with a community with similar water requirements?Does plant tolerate heat & sun? (i.e. is the plant appropriate for the site location?)Does plant tolerate shade? (i.e., is the plant appropriate for the site location?)Does the plant have environmental benefits?p

filters pollutants and dustprovides shade & reduces heat build‐up/lowers temperaturereduces soil erosionreduces nitrate leaching into water supplyreduces surface water runoffreduces surface water runoff

Does the plant promote habitat?What is the life span of the plant?Does the plant tolerate public traffic?Does the plant tolerate vehicular exhaust/parking conditions?Does the plant bloom?  What is the bloom season?  What is the bloom color?What effect does this project have on existing irrigation?Does material go dormant?Other

4 Introduce Landscape Elements to reinforce continuityto define Places within Spaces

5 Work with donors and volunteers

Donors and volunteers are crucial. Their contributions – time and/or money – directly impact the success of the Parkway Woo impact the success of the Parkway. Woo them, involve them, thank them.

Create sponsored projects and search for donors and/or grants to fund installation.

Specific improvements includeboulder fieldsboulder seating clustersboulder seating clusterslarge, flat signature stonessignage from a designed, coordinated

family of signs

Work with a designated Community Liaison to identify and coordinate volunteer opportunities and activate participation.

DESIGN APPROACH

Information here

DESIGN APPROACH

Consult recommendations for zone you want to improveCoordinate with City: Discuss proposed project with City for approval to proceedGather information

establish location and measure size of site conduct soils tests consult existing tree inventory evaluate impact on existing irrigation system

Plan and designPlan and design evaluate existing plants design following information and recommendations from soils tests design using approved plant list and Plant Selection Design Matrix design for vertical and horizontal structure group plant material by water needs check sun exposure, height and spread check setback requirements (not too close to the curb or paths!) coordinate with amenities/landscape elements to be installed design irrigation and coordinate with capacity/capabilities of existing systemdesign irrigation and coordinate with capacity/capabilities of existing system

Seek City approval: draft a project statement, including maintenance planPrepare the siteInstallGet City sign-offE i tEnsure maintenance

Next steps for the Parkway! Next steps for the Parkway! Team Recommendations

Survey the Parkway secure a Civil survey (topography, utilities, tree locations, etc.)evaluate pests on site

Coordinate with other jurisdictional plans

Organize community volunteers and appoint a Community Liaison

Create a working group to explore and develop potential projects , including a Design Master Plan for the Parkway

Per zone/per project areaassess tree inventory & healthconduct soil testsevaluate safety issuesevaluate irrigation system (existing utilization and capacity)

Fundraise for implementation

ValuesAesthetics

Programming

R

A CommunityArt

Aesthetics

M i t

Resource

A Recreation

MaintenanceEcology

Braided AccessHabitat

gy

Technology

Parkway Sustainability

Identity

Education

OperationCulture

Identity OperationRestoration