Saugus State Historic Park by Cristhian Barajas

SAUGUS STATE HISTORIC PARK

Los Angeles Aqueduct Landscape Model

"The Life of the Aqueduct" by Cristhian Barajas.

SAUGUS STATE HISTORIC PARK

Los Angeles Aqueduct Landscape Model By Cristhian Barajas

B.S. Arch; MLA Candidate

Version 099 - June 9, 2015 Document prepared for the LA604L Environmental Analysis Laboratory California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

PREFACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This document compiles the attempt of solving a social necessity: the creation of a leisure space that promotes an environmentally beneficial water culture. The California State Polytechnic University is deeply involved in activities that help society acquiring ecological consciousness. Sometimes we need to choose between the health of the environment and comfort, that is something I learned during my first visit to Owens Lake, an once pristine and beautiful landscape that was victim of the urban development... that took place 200 miles away. 4

The metropolitan area of L.A. is draining resources from all over the state, the Owens Valley is just one of these locations. Many people living in the cities are not aware of the actual consequences related to the irresponsible use of water and the creation of such infrastructure. We all easily agreed to live a life of commodities, but we get terrified when we see all the costs, and yet, it is very hard to accept the challenge of changing such mindset. I would like to thank all the people that provided any help in the construction of this project, to the Cal Poly Pomona for the opportunity of participating in this initiative, to advisor and Professor Barry Lehrman for his tutoring and to the people and entities that welcomed us during our field trip to Owens Valley.

"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac (1949)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

INTRODUCTION

The intention of this exercise is to envision an interpretive public space that explains through landscape features the importance of water conservation and public infrastructure (especially the Los Angeles Aqueduct project). The LADWP is a potential client to embrace this concept by providing an interactive learning space and also by developing recreation areas. This entity has already shown interest in these kind of projects in the past, like in 2013 when they participated in a landscape design project at the Los Angeles Aqueduct Centennial Garden which is located in Griffth Park. This project consisted in building a small scale version of the flow of the aqueduct and blend it with the existing landscape.

Aqueduct Cascades in Northern L.A. Filtration Plant (en.wikipedia.org)

IMPORTANCE Landscape scale models are becoming more and more important to understand the magnitude and history of urban projects. Understanding the consequences derived from the construction of the LAA is very important to identify the cultural need of new habits to protect the environment.

Another view of the aqueduct cascades Photography: HAER, Library of Congress

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

General Objectives: Satisfy the needs for recreation of the surrounding residents. Create a space that promotes the culture of water conservation.

Specific Objectives: Provide elements and features that develop an academic role. Integrate elements or techniques that help the model to perform an environmental function. Encourage local tourism in the site. Incorporate strategies that improve the landscape and urban environment. Consider interests of planning agencies.

Chino Creek Wetlands Education Park Photography: Cristhian Barajas

THE SECOND LOS ANGELES AQUEDUCT

ABOUT THE PROJECT.... Length: 419 mi (674 km) First Section Length: 233 mi Second Section Length: 137 mi Diameter: 12 ft Capacity: 290 cu ft/s Begins: Haiwee Reservoir, Inyo County Upper Lee Vining Creek, Mono County (Mono Extension)

Ends: Upper Van Norman Lake (Los Angeles Reservoir), Granada Hills, Los Angeles Mono Extension Owens River, Mono County Elevation Profile: From ~1000 ft. (Van Norman Reservoir) To ~4000 ft. (Tinemaha Reservoir) Conduit typology: There are two main types of conduits, on-grade and pressure pipelines Maintained by: Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

The LAA alongside U.S. 395 south of the Owens Valley town of Lone Pine. (graphics.latimes.com)

TIMELINE

Jawbone Siphon Under Construction Photography: LADWP archives

SITE SELECTION

SANTA CLARITA

CRITERIA

The initial site selection should include options that are relevant to the regional context. These spaces should be able to house recreational facilities as well as educational features. It would be best if these areas are related to water infrastructure or to the LAA itself in some way. Sensitive ecosystems, small locations and non-connected sites should be avoided. Semi-developed programs can be seen as an advantage, since this means there is still room for additional projects in the location.

2 3

Saugus Open Space (1) Van Norman Reservoir Complex (2) Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park (3) Griffith Park (4) Los Angeles State Historic Park (5)

CHATSWORTH

4 LOS ANGELES

3 1

Area measurements are based in GIS shapefiles information.

CASE STUDIES

MAINE SOLAR SYSTEM MODEL

Aroostook County, Maine, US Size: 40 miles Scale: 1:93,000,000 Material: Metal and concrete Start: Presque Isle End: Houlton 16

Jupiter (roadtrippers.com)

Saturn & Route I in Westfield, Maine Photography: PA/Robert F. Bukaty

Saturn (close-up) Photography: Getty Images

RED RIBBON TANGHE RIVER PARK

Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China Size: 1640 feet Material: Metal and plastic Special conditions: The ribbon crosses sensitive landscapes like wetlands and streams. Its aesthetical look is fused with its social function, being used as a bench and as outdoor illumination. Red Ribbon used as bench Photography: Turenscape

Planters and public lighting Photography: Turenscape

Red Ribbon crossing wetland Photography: Turenscape

MEXITLAN

(now Mexico Magico)

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

Size: 34,007 ft2 Material: Card/Woodboard/ gypsum Scale: Varies Capacity: 20,000 people Special conditions: A reference of human scale proportion and ephemeral touristic uses. The facility adopted several uses after being closed as an exhibition center.

Facade of the building Photography: vikoloko73, flickr

Rooftop miniatures (www.jm3d.com)

Some models were rescued and moved to wetland Mexico City Red Ribbon crossing to conform the new miniature park known as "Mexico Photography: Turenscape Magico" in the Chapultepec Forest (azteca7.com)

MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN MODEL

Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China Size: 200 acres Scale: 1:20,000 Material: Metal and concrete Special conditions: The touristic revitalization vision plan of the project was awarded by the ASLA. 19

Basin original model (misspreservation.com)

lighting AerialPlanters View ofand the public entire model Photography: Turenscape Photography: Army Corps of Engineers

Detail of one of the river sections Credits: Jessica Russell

LOS ANGELES AQUEDUCT CENTENNIAL GARDEN

Los Angeles, California, US

Material: Decomposed granite Landcape Features: Droughttolerant vegetation, sitting areas, interpretive signs and a 10' diameter original section of the aqueduct. Design: Lauren Bon, Metabolic Studios, LADWP. Location: It is a new section in Griffith Park, it opened on November of 2013.

Detail of the aqueduct section Photography: Anna Bergren Miller

A view of the Centennial Garden Photography: Anna Bergren Miller

William Mulholland Fountain and the main trail Photography: Michael Locke

SITE ANALYSIS

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The Saugus Pipeline could be considered the final part of the Aqueduct. Four major parts of the Aqueduct Pipeline were named after this location (I, II, III & IV). The former city of Saugus was a very important location during the construction of the First and Second Aqueduct.

The city of Santa Clarita is relatively new, it was founded in 1987 when the four cities of Valencia, Newhall, Saugus and Canyon Country merged into one. It has about 175,000 inhabitants and is located at the north of Los Angeles, and still belongs to the L.A. County. "The Aqueduct runs literally through people's backyards in Santa Clarita, a city which ironically hardly receives any of that water (They do, however, receive California Aqueduct water, which ends up at nearby Castaic Lake). Here, the L.A. Aqueduct is most visible at places like Saugus High School, across the Santa Clara River, and adjacent to the Walmart-anchored shopping center in Canyon Country, which has a pocket park area where one can sit and admire at the Aqueduct, just feet away" (Trinidad, 2013). It was one of the major affected areas during the collapse of the St. Francis Dam in 1928, the second greatest disaster in the history of California after the San Francisco Earthquake in 1906. Currently, Saugus is considered a neighborhood. The selected site for this project is considered as an undeveloped open space with no current activities of urbanization due contamination.

BACKGROUND RESEARCH SITE EVOLUTION According to the time-lapse aerial photography, the site began its transformation during the mid-50's, by the year of 1969 the place was already heavily transformed, with trails all over the hills, vast platforms product of soil compactation and regrading. Back in the days it was a complex dedicated to the testing and manufacturing of munitions. The property is owned by Whittaker-Bermite, although there are many other entities holding interests. This project is envisioning the transformation of 1,110 acres into a recreational facility. Person Hiking in the site | GavinMacQueen

3D View | Google Earth Saugus Demographics Neighborhood area: 2.058 square miles Population: 13,234 Median household income:$108,648 Median rent: $1,731 Median age: 35.7 (males) & 40.2 (females) Value of detached properties: $422,360 Occupations: Sales & office, services, management.

SITE CONDITIONS It is heavy contaminated with perchlorate, volatile organic compounds, and both soil and groundwater contamination. The financial responsibility for site cleanup continues to remain with the Whittaker Corporation and their successors. The site clean-up is under the supervision of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) (Whittaker Bermite Information, n.d.). According to the General Plan of Santa Clarita, the site has two main uses: Public/ Institutional and Specific Plan. The Specific Plan is currently referring to the Porta Bella Specific Plan, which is envisioning the development of 1,244 single family residential units and 1,667 multi-family units, as well as 96 acres of commercial and business/office park uses. However, there is no signs of achieving this reality soon, and the Development Agreement expires in 2016. The City Council is looking after any other opportunities to redevelop the site with another plan which takes into account the interests of the planning departments and the local residents. There are three main interests already stated by the City of Santa Clarita: 1) the completion of the entire remediation and clean-up of the site; 2) the completion of the city's Circulation Element by finishing some existing roads and provide them connection with the current network; 3) given its central location, it must be a project that satisfies the needs of the surrounding inhabitants, providing employment options and economic benefit to the whole community.

SATELLITE IMAGERY

Obtained from Google Earth

PRELIMINARY STUDY MAP

LEGEND Site polygon Development Water bodies Main roads Streets #####

ADT (Average Daily Traffic) Vehicular circulations and access to the site were one the main concerns for this particular location during the site selection process, thus leading to the creation of this map where these elements are studied.

DATA EVALUATION: MAP INVENTORY

List of maps obtained from the City of Santa Clarita:

List of maps generated or digitized:

• Map of Annexations • Average Daily Traffic (ADT) • Enterprise Zone • Flood Zones • General Plan • Landscape Maintenance Districts • Masterplan of Trails • Seismic Hazard Zones • Significant Ridgelines • Speed Limits • Street Map of Santa Clarita • Subdivision Activity • Trash Hauler Schedule Map • ZIP Code Map • Zoning Map

• Digital Elevation Model obtained from LA County GIS Data Portal • Hillshade • Slope Analysis • Stream and Flow Direction • NDVI Vegetation Map obtained from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife • Solar Radiation (Yearly Insolation Model) • 3-foot Contour Map • Circulations: trails (full), roads and bike routes, including Metrolink official route GIS data. • Site Boundaries using the Parcel Map from the LA County GIS Data Portal • Masterplan

METHODS The project followed a non-linear trajectory between the construction of the information and the data representation. Although there were many process and methods involved during the exercise, three of them stand out over the rest because of their weight and importance to shape the idea of the project: 1) GIS Maps: with special emphasis in the reconstruction of actual and former trails and roads inside the site. This was needed to reuse existing paths and save economic resources with this strategy. 2) 3D Modeling: the modeling and rendering of the project but most important the high quality reconstruction of the terrain; necessary to locate the Los Angeles Aqueduct Landscape Model (LAALM) in order to match both profiles with better accuracy. 3) Representation of the project: Involving the creation of standalone graphics, presentation boards and documents.

MAP OF EXISTING TRAILS

3D TERRAIN RECONSTRUCTION

ARTWORK EXAMPLE

Obtained from Google Earth

DESIGN APPROACH

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES Strategies & Opportunities

A structure named "Saugus Pavilion" would provide room to perform artistic activities. Its design can be adapted as a gallery for showcasing local artwork or for shading any outdoor exhibition. It could also serve as a public shelter for natural disasters like floods, earthquakes or forestal fires. The object represents the history of the aqueduct and the town. It will have some local records and photographs from important historical events like the St. Francis Dam disaster in 1928. The goal is to generate an iconic architectural object for the neighborhood.

REUSE OF EXISTING FEATURES Strategies & Opportunities

The major design strategy is to design everything according to the existing landscape conditions. The property already contains a complex network of trails due all the remediation activities that are being actually held. Some of this trails have different uses, vehicular, pedestrian or even small streams. The project also uses large paved areas as parking lots and the existing reservoirs could be adapted and embellished to create rainwater capture lagoons.

RESTORE PLANT COMMUNITIES Strategies & Opportunities

Chaparral and Coastal Sage Scrub communities are abundant all over the region, but not here in the site, at least not as it should be. Two possible reasons are because the soil and groundwater contamination issues and the severe landscape transformation the site suffered during its early functional years. Xeriscaping and other water efficient landscape design techniques are encouraged to achieve a low maintenance system of gardens. The opportunity for obtaining cheap water resources is a reality by having the Saugus Water Reclamation Plant just below the property. This facility supplies treated water to other recreation areas like the Santa Clarita Central Park. Another goal is to benefit the native wildlife by creating habitat for local bird species and insects.

EDUCATION AND INTERACTIVITY Strategies & Opportunities

Answering to the main goals stipulated at the very beginning of this exercise, the new Los Angeles Aqueduct Landscape Model (LAALM) offers the opportunity to learn more about the importance of water conservation and public infrastructure while crossing the site. Signage and informational thematic elements along the trails will invite the users to adopt new habits and technology to save water. One good example of this type of projects is the Chino Creek Wetlands Educational Park in the city of Chino, California. The LAALM could also be adapated to incorporate a low-cost water pumping system to treat the urban runoff of the nearby areas.

SITE CONNECTIVITY Strategies & Opportunities

One of the major interests of the City of Santa Clarita is to develop an effective circulation system in the neighborhood. This project generates new opportunities for connecting all kind of transportations: public transportation, vehicles, pedestrian and bikers. By completing existing roads, the site can be connected to the urban network. Some trails could also be handled as multiuse corridors to unite existing bikeroutes along the streets and residential areas, but there's also the intention to connect the south part of the property with Quigley Canyon, an existing recreation space that already has its own network of trails.

AN EPHEMERAL PLAN Strategies & Opportunities

There is so much potential in the site, it has a central location and it is privileged with unique views of the whole valley area. The city sees in it an opportunity for answering the local necessities, like the creation of new employments. One of the future phases of the Saugus State Historic Park would be the transformation of its core into a commecial-business area, while still preserving the LAALM and most of the natural corridors. This new economic cluster could open doors for many unemployed residents and decrease the commute traffic in the main highways. This secondary or tertiary phase demands the healthy status of the property, and could be envisioned once the remediation processes are about to be completed.

HISTORICAL RELEVANCE Strategies & Opportunities

One of the strongest arguments why this location was chosen over the rest during the site selection process is because the area is directly related to the Los Angeles Aqueduct itself. California State Historic Parks are great tools for promoting interpretive landscapes where people can recreate while also learning more about the past. The site fulfills some basic requirements for it to become an important recreation node. Tourists from all over the metropolitan area are expected to visit such project.

MASTERPLAN & ARCHITECTURAL BRIEF

MASTERPLAN

LOS ANGELES AQUEDUCT LANDSCAPE MODEL (LAALM)

CIRCULATIONS

MAP OF EXISTING TRAILS

Existing network of trails and semi-developed roads. The project is only reusing 75% of these trails to avoid maintenance expenses. Some of the trails were united and some were deleted to achieve the best walking experience.

HIKING TRAIL

MULTI-USE CORRIDOR 39

The state of California recommends a minimum section of 28' for roads located in high fire hazard zones. According to the maps of the city, the whole property is considered a danger because it is filled with annual grasses and woody shrubs. As a general standard, multi-use hiking and equestrian trails measure at least 10' in width. Xeriscape gardens and small shrubs are placed in the borders to make delimit the paths.

ROAD SECTION

SAUGUS EXHIBITION PAVILION 3D SKETCH A misterious but inviting black object in the middle of the landscape. The project is inspired in the early looking of the First Aqueduct and the big black pressure pipes that were put together in the middle of the desert, creating disagreements among certain residents. The same way as the Eiffel Tower history was written, this object pretends to have certain aesthetical elements to convert it in a landmark and a figure of identity to the community.

CONCEPT DRAWING

CONCLUSION & FUTURE TASKS

This exercise provided many new knowledge to the design team. Understanding the environment, dealing with the challenges and representing the best solutions for a vision plan were great experiences that helped the team growing in wisdom and sensitivity. It has been a great pleasure to participate in the studio assignment, but there's still much work to do. Refining this project is considered for a future presentation to the City of Santa Clarita. With the help of the advising team, it may become a reality some time, maybe not one hundred percent as it was thought in the very beginning, but certainly some ideas are worth to preserve. Obviously the city has great interests in the property due its location and dimensions; the design team is sure that whatever happens in the site, it will become an iconic project for the whole city. Once more, I would like to acknowledge all the people that made this exercise possible, I hope you find this initiative worth of reading.

“The hope of the future lies not in curbing the influence of human occupancy – it is already too late for that – but in creating a better understanding of the extent of that influence and a new ethic for its governance.” — Aldo Leopold, Game Management (1930)

VISION

APPENDICES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bergren, Anna. "Los Angeles Celebrates Aqueduct Centennial with Interactive Garden." AN Blog RSS. N.p., 15 Nov. 2013. Web. 11 June 2015. Dixon, Laura. "Cleanup Continues at Toxic Property." Cleanup Continues at Toxic Property. Signal SCV, 27 Feb. 2011. Web. 11 June 2015. 44

"Geographic Information Systems (GIS)." City of Santa Clarita :. City of Santa Clarita, n.d. Web. 11 June 2015. LADWP. The Second Los Angeles Aqueduct. Los Angeles: n.p., 1971. Print. "Porta Bella Specific Plan." City of Santa Clarita :. City of Santa Clarita, n.d. Web. 11 June 2015. "Saugus Neighborhood in Santa Clarita, California (CA), 91350 Detailed Profile." Saugus Neighborhood in Santa Clarita, California (CA), 91350 Subdivision Profile. City-data.com, n.d. Web. 11 June 2015. Trinidad, Elson. "A Self-Guided Tour of the Los Angeles Aqueduct." KCET. N.p., 4 Nov. 2013. Web. 11 June 2015. "Whittaker Bermite Information." Whittaker Bermite Information. City of Santa Clarita, n.d. Web. 11 June 2015.

Angeles National Forest

PACIFIC CREST PARK

HASKELL CANYON OPEN SPACE

MOUNTAIN VIEW PARK

(Fut.)

Dr C op per Hill

COPPER HILL PARK

CHESEBROUGH PARK

Beyond Santa Clarita

a ll

u et

nyo

DAVID MARCH PARK

Pl um

BEGONIAS LANE PARK

W CENTRAL PARK

nyo

M 8 1.

d OAK SPRING CANYON PARK

i. M 8

BRIDGEPORT PARK

RIVER VILLAGE TRAILHEAD 2.2 Mi

DISCOVERY PARK

PROMENADE

AUTO CENTER TRAILHEAD

RIVER VILLAGE PARK (FUT.) 2.3 Mi.

0 .6

ic M TRAILHEAD ou nt ai n Pk

Information

NORTH OAKS PARK

1. 2

and the US Forest Service.

College of the Canyons North Campus

M i.

IRON HORSE TRAILHEAD

M ag

hit

TODD LONGSHORE PARK 1. 3

Magic Mountain & Hurricane Harbor

County, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy

on Rd

NORTHBRIDGE PARK

VALENCIA HERITAGE PARK

Trail and recreation areas surrounding Santa Clarita are managed by Los Angeles

C an y

e Ry

yon

0.7 Mi.

SANTA CLARITA PARK

Seco Canyon Rd

SUMMERHILL PARK (FUT.)

Haskell Canyon Rd

1.5 Mi.

BOUQUET CANYON PARK

PAMPLICO PARK

Valencia Country Club

2.3 Mi

P r i nc

ess

Va le

1.6 Mi.

k nP

S a n d C a n y o n Rd

1.9 Mi.

Golden Valley Rd

Vi a

FAIR OAKS PARK

CIRCLE J RANCH PARK

ALMENDRA PARK

Use trash receptacles provided.

Robinson Ranch Golf Course

SANTA CLARITA SPORTS COMPLEX

Rail road

a n yon Rd ell C

College of the Canyons

Ro c kw

TPC at Valencia

Trails are open from sunrise to sunset.

JO ANNE DARCY CANYON COUNTRY LIBRARY

CAMP PLENTY TRAILHEAD

SOUTH FORK TRAILHEAD

Ave

City of Santa Clarita Trail Etiquette

LOST CANYON TRAILHEAD

VALENCIA LIBRARY

MCBEAN TRANSFER STATION

CANYON COUNTRY PARK Mi .

0.4

Westfield Town Center

their agency pages at www.LAMountains.com

for these areas can be found via links to

1. 9

Motorized vehicles are prohibited. ch

s ce

Dog owners must clean up after their dogs.

QUIGLEY CANYON OPEN SPACE

Cl ear

le y Wi

Ca n

GOLDEN VALLEY RANCH OPEN SPACE

NEWHALL PARK

OLD TOWN NEWHALL LIBRARY

0. 6

JAKE KUREJIAN PARK

The Master’s College

OLD ORCHARD PARK

da le Rd Mi

1. 8

0.9

Vista Valencia Golf Course

ra H wy

in i.

M 1 .5

Vi a

la Vil

VALENCIA MEADOWS PARK

RICHARD RIOUX PARK

a rd

To u

Cal Arts

Dogs must be leashed at all times.

VALENCIA GLEN PARK

Si er

Observe posted trail use guidelines

Lyons Ave

PICO CANYON PARK

VETERANS HISTORICAL PLAZA CREEKVIEW PARK

Valley Street

Ne WILLIAM S. HART PARK

a ll

PLACERITA CANYON STATE PARK

Av e

WHITNEY CANYON OPEN SPACE

Santa RIVENDALE PARK & OPEN SPACE

Clarita

WILDWOOD CANYON OPEN SPECE

EAST WALKER RANCH OPEN SPACE

Angeles National Forest

Woodlands Revised October 2013 GATES KING OPEN SPACE

N NW

E SW

Open Space

Golf Course

Trailhead

Proposed Class I Bike Path

Proposed Class III Bike Route

Santa Clara River Open Space

City Boundary

Metrolink Station

Santa Clara River

ELSMERE CANYON OPEN SPACE

Existing Class III Bike Route

Existing Class I Bike Path

2 3

4 US Survey Miles 6 Kilometers

Existing Class II Bike Lane

Existing Multi-Use Trail

Proposed Class II Bike Lane

Proposed Multi-Use Trail

Railroad

Wilderness Area

Paseo

Places of Interest

Milage Between Markers

Transfer Station Library

Parks For more information on trails and paseos, visit www.santa-clarita.com/Trails For more information on trails in Open Space, visit www.hikesantaclarita.com

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