URP 462 Final Project by Gordon Nichols

Table of Contents

Preface …………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………. 3 Section 1: Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………… Abstract…………………………………..……………………………………………………………… Problem Statement…………………..……………………………………………………………… Purpose Statement…………………..………………………………………………………………

4 4 4 4

Section 2: Literature Review………………………………………………………………………………… Forms and functions of landfill redevelopment……………….…………………………. Expanding Wastelands……………..……………………………………………………………… Hypothesis & Theories……………………………………………………………………………

5 6 7 8

Section 3: Methodology………………………..……………………………………………………………… Site Identification and Problem Definition……………………..…………………………. Data Gathering………………………..……………………………………………………………… Variables Table…………………………………..……………………………….......... Interviews…………………………………………………………………………………… Research and Analysis………………………….………………………..………………………..

9 9 10 11 11 12

Section 4: Recommendations……………………………………………………………………………….. 14 Policy Recommendations……………………..………………………………………………….. 14 Conclusion………………………………………….………………………………………………….. 16 Bibliography………………..……………………………………………………………………………………… 17

Gordon Nichols URP 462 November 10, 2009 Senior Project

Redevelopment of Former Landfills Into Public Recreation Areas

Preface: The Farlex Free Dictionary defines a landfill simply as; a system of trash and garbage disposal where waste is buried between layers of earth; i.e. a wasteland; barren and uncultivated land. However due to land scarcity, the promotion of sustainable practices and need for environmental preservation the definition of landfill is changing. Landfills are humankind’s original environmental impact yet throughout the world these once neglected sites are being viewed as opportunities for valuable land reclamation. Successful cases of landfill redevelopment can be seen throughout North America. In Toronto, due to public pressure Canada’s largest municipal solid waste facility was closed and redeveloped into a large multi-acre recreation park and golf course. Another example of landfill reclamation can be found in Massachusetts at the Boston Islands, a former small pox quarantine site and 100 year old landfill, which was transformed into a national park with hiking trails and a nature preservation site. California has over a hundred active landfills state wide and dozens more decommissioned waste sites that remain undeveloped. The opportunity to reclaim a landfill site and create a valuable public asset out of a once blighted environment is a task that redevelopment and community service departments should savor.

Jordan’s Furniture and Home Depot located at Walkers Brook Crossing, Located on a former municipal solid waste landfill in Reading, Mass. Image courtesy of www.haleyaldrich.com/downloads/publications/WBC_Brownfields_News.pdf

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URP 462 Senior Project

Section 1: Introduction Abstract This report is focused on the responsible practices necessary to offset the negative effects of human settlements in the form of abandoned landfills. Redevelopment of landfills is an important planning issue because it deals with landuse, ecological justice and the redevelopment of a blighted environment yet landfills which present good opportunities for public recreational development are not being redeveloped.

Problem Statement The Spadra landfill in Walnut, California presents a unique opportunity for redevelopment nevertheless the site remains without long-term plans. Abandoned and capped landfills such as Spadra can be redeveloped into usable public recreational areas however the significant remediation costs and negative connotations attached to Trail of Anaconda, Montana Smelter Superfund Site that surrounds a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus Image courtesy of http://www.epa.gov/supe rfund March 2001

landfills discourages any noteworthy redevelopment. The precautionary efforts that must be taken to ensure public safety and undisturbed waste deposit as well as the relative easy to develop on virgin green-fields rather than brown-fields and the additional cost associated with both are the three main reasons why more landfills are not being redeveloped into usable public spaces.

Purpose Statement In a time of severe urban space and

wastelands where as adjacent development is

resource limitations many closed and

not desirable simply because of its proximity to

capped landfills present superb new park

a landfill. The California’s Integrated Waste

sites for three reasons- cost, location and

Management Board list of abandoned waste

size (Harnik, P. pg. 83). From a broader

sites as well as the Southern California’s

social justice standpoint landfills are human

Association of Governor’s State of the Region

“messes” which places the onus on

report 1 was used to identified the Spadra

government and community to continue to

landfill, which is jointly owned by the

utilize existing developed land in a useful

California Polytechnic University Pomona, as a

way rather than continuing to sprawl

possible redevelop site. The choice to focus on

outward. Redeveloping wastelands such as

this site was due to Spadra’s close proximity

landfills provide the opportunity to mitigate

and the ease of accessible information from the

the negative impacts of human settlement

University.

on the environment. Capped landfills that are not redeveloped create ever expanding

One main goal of a planner is to protect the environment and work responsibly to mitigate negative human impact on the

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natural world. The redevelopment of landfills into public recreational areas combines many aspects of planning including- design, redevelopment, environmental protection and social justice. This research is an attempt to encourage the stakeholders of the study site and others like it to explore the benefits of redeveloping human wastelands and provide a guide to promote social and environmentally conscience projects. This report is intended for city managers, developers, site managers, property owners, the planning community at large and others with an interest in redeveloping landfills sites for recreational purposes. Using the literature and the BKK Landfill in West Covina as a best practices example, insight is offered to decision makers in order to encourage redevelopment of their landfills as well as determine the main reason why more former landfills in Southern California are not being redeveloped.

Section 2: Literature Review “Trash Topography” by Pierre Belanger (2006) addresses the concerns of Canada’s waste management and landfill capacity. In Toronto the Keele Valley Landfill, Canada’s

Staton Island Landfill Redevelopment 2020 Rendering Image courtesy of http:nymag.com Jan 2007

largest municipal solid waste facility, was closed to much public fanfare and redeveloped into a large multi-acre recreational park and golf course. Peter Harnik’s article, “From Dumps to Destinations: The Conversion of Landfills to Parks,” is another article that gives examples of how former landfills and waste sites could be transformed into destinations for public use and in many cases returned to their former natural glory. Harnik detailed how landfills in large urban areas are prime sites for public open space. As discussed in the purpose statement it is humanity’s responsibility to clean up and maintain the area in which has been chosen to be wastelands after that purpose has been served. This sentiment is shared by the Environmental Protection Agency in their guide, “Reuse and Clean-Up Superfund Sites: Recreational Use of Land Above Hazardous Waste Containment Areas.” The EPA’s mission is to help communities with the redevelopment of waste sites and ensure the public health and environment protection. The onus is placed on the community to decide which sites should be redeveloped and for what function. According to the EPA recreational sites such as parks and trails are the most common types of redevelopments for waste sites because of the wide variety of restrictions for building on a landfill and the ease of using natural vegetation and coverings associated with waste site capping systems. “Compost Remedies a Landfills and Grows a National Park” by Robert Rynk is an excellent case study of the tumultuous journey and landfill site can go through in order to be restored to its natural form and purpose. The Boston Islands project which is detailed in Rynk’s article is a perfect example of how private organizations, community members and local government can converge to create a project that is cost effective for developers, beneficial for the environment and serves the public good. This case study and others like

Section 2

URP 462 Senior Project it help to provide real world answers on the best policies and practices to redevelop landfills. A refutation to redevelopment can be found in “The Wildlands of Cal Poly Pomona- In Memory” by Curtis Clark (2002), which is a conservational article which

refutes the idea of landfill redevelopment, calling for a much more natural conservational approach when dealing with former landfills. Clark describes how the last grove of California Black Walnut trees were cut down to make way for a golf course on the Spadra landfill rather than conserving the natural environment. To this date no golf course has yet been built in place of the destroyed Black Walnut groves.

Forms and Functions Peter Harnik’s “From Dumps to

“In a time of severe urban space and resource constraints, closed landfills present excellent new park sites.” - Harnik

The earliest landfill parks date all the

Destinations: The Conversion of Landfills to

way back to 1916, well before the word landfill

Parks,” is just one of many forwarding

was coined, when the city of Seattle turned

thinking articles that details the practical

Rainier Dump into Rainer Playfield (Harnik, P.

approach of redeveloping landfills into

pg. 84). Even a portion of the now famous

public assets. Closed landfills present superb Washington Park Arboretum was built over the new park sites for three main reasons- cost,

62 acre Miller Street Dump. San Francisco’s

location and size (Harnik, P. pg. 83). Harnik

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is the nation’s

details one example of a successful landfill-

second largest conservation group next to the

reclamation in Boston, Massachusetts at the

Nature Conservancy. TPL’s land-for-people

city’s Millennium Park, twenty years ago

mission has directed its focus to the old

know as the Garden Street Landfill. Today it

landfills in urban areas and now provides help

host a 100 acre public recreational facility

to communities who wish to recycle the land

with sports fields, playgrounds, six miles of

for new public purposes. TPL also created an

trails for walking and biking, and an outdoor

internal research arm; the Center for City Park

classes and amphitheater. An estimated 500

Excellence (CCPE) which since 2003 has

landfill sites have been redeveloped for

conducted studies to determine feasible ways

public use. Whether it be the famous

to address the need for additional public open

Flushing Meadow Park in New York or the

spaces in urban areas (Harnik, P. pg. 84).

appropriately named Mt. Trashmore in

Based on CCPE findings TPL has launched a

Virginia Beach or relatively obscure inner

national campaign which encourages planners

city basketball and tennis courts or the

and landscape architects to not wait until the

spectrum of suburban golf courses

landfill is closed to get involved. Pre-

successful land reclamation of landfills has

envisioning and designing landfills from on

proven to be a viable and valuable public

beginning to be more suitable for conversion

good.

once closed is just one of the many ways

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URP 462 Senior Project

private wasteland can be transformed into public green space. The distinct characteristics of landfills prohibit most types of development. Years of layering refuse and earth over one another leaves landfill sites susceptible to many damaging effects. Leakage, ground settling and methane build up are just some of the common troubles with closed landfill sites. These limitations often make landfills unattractive to developers however there is one type of land use that is perfectly suited to closed landfills, Recreation. Landfills once decommissioned are capped by a complex system of low permeability clay, geosynthetic clay liners and flexible geo-membrane liners created from a variety of polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Compacted soil is placed over capping system in six inch lifts to achieve an average depth of two of more feet (frtr.gov). Once a landfill is permanently capped additional soil barriers are often added to create an environment suitable for vegetation and plant life. The layering process used in modern landfills along with the complex capping method can create a safe environment for public recreation and undisturbed refuse several feet below the top soil.

Expanding Wastelands

Canada’s largest municipal solid waste facility, Keele Valley Landfill, redeveloped into a park and golf course

Landfills that have been closed and no longer accept refuse but remain undeveloped create an “Expanding Wasteland.” No, expanding wastelands are not some sort of refuse settling phenomenon brought about because of earthquakes or a toxic waste spill caused by poor maintenance. The term expanding wastelands refers to the attitude express by developers, homeowners and consumers when discussing the idea of building next to a former landfill. Landfills can range in size from as little as an acre to as large a 1000 square acres. The sizes and contents of a landfill often vary but the negative connotation surrounding a former dump remains the same, “Not in my backyard.” Therefore when a landfill is closed and left undeveloped the negative environmental impact may be mitigated but the negative impact in the consciousness of developers and homeowners remains. The negative impact on public perception of a landfill can radiate outward for miles in every direction and be seen in a variety of variables associated with the surrounding community. Low rates of development, declining property values and large amounts of vacant land just to mention a few. Yet when a landfill is transformed into a public recreation area the rings of the expanding wasteland automatically resend creating an area that is desirable to both development and land ownership.

URP 462 Senior Project

Section 2

NIMBY: (noun); opposition to the locating of something considered undesirable (as a prison or incinerator) in one's neighborhood.

Figure 1.1 Example of the negative impact range an expanding wasteland can have on the surrounding developments.

Hypothesis and Theories This research is intended to test the theory that the Spadra landfill is not being redeveloped because of the negative connotation attached to former dump sites which discourages redevelopment both by cities and developers. Significant remediation cost, additional precautionary efforts and the relative ease to build on virgin green-fields are other factors which will also be explored. Examining a variety of variable associated with both the Spadra landfill and other landfill sites may help to shed light on the subject as to why Spadra landfill and similar sites are not being redeveloped.

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URP 462 Senior Project

Section 3: Methodology Site Identification On April 8, 2000 the

2003 Spadra’s first major redevelopment efforts were

Spadra Landfill was officially

put into motion in the form of a multi-acre private golf

closed to the public. From 1957 to

course. Unfortunately in 2004 funding and maintenance

2000 Spadra served as the main

permits for the project fell through and the only action

disposal sites for the San Gabriel

that was taken on the project was a “preemptive

Valley, on average receiving 2500

surveying and clearing” process which resulted in the

tons of refuse per day. In 1985 a

clear cutting of all California Black Walnut tree groves on

joint powers Resource

site (Clark, C.). The Spadra landfill today remains almost

Conservation Agreement was

entirely undeveloped and barren under the supervision

signed between the Los Angeles

of the University’s Agriculture department whose main

County Sanitation Department and

goal for the past four years has been to grow and

California State Poly Technical

maintain grass on the top shelf of the site. The Spadra

University, Pomona to oversee post

landfill was chosen as the focus of this study because of

closure operations of the 320 acre

its close proximity to residential land uses, unique form

site (lacsd.org). The agreement

and the environmentally conscience ownership of Cal

implemented several recovery

Poly Pomona. An in depth study of the variables

programs which recovered from

surrounding the Spadra landfill as well as the

the site; 400,000 tons of green-

circumstances leading to its current condition may help

waste, 475,000 tons of asphalt, 576

to answer the question of why more landfills are not

tons of metallic discards, 380 tons

redeveloped.

of tires and 55,000 gallons of oil. The green-waste and asphalt were beneficially reused to improve the site (lacsd.org). The 1985 plan also detailed a program by Cal Poly known as Landlab, education and research into sustainable uses such as recycling and the diversion of waste material. During the Landlab program over 2000 trees were planted on the Spadra site including 1287 California Black Walnuts, 611 Coast Live Oaks, and 186 Western Sycamores and over 1800 various native shrubs. In

Aerial photograph of the Spadra Landfill in Pomona, California. Image courtesy of Google Earth

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URP 462 Senior Project

Data Gathering The research methodology utilized in this study was a mixture of qualitative and quantitative techniques in an explorative practice with hopes of better understanding the factors that help create a fertile environment for the redevelopment of landfills. Several relevant variables were identified for the study of the Spadra landfill and two similar sites. The variables to be studied are; size, date closed, time elapse from closure to first development, owner, owner type, adjacent land uses, zoning of site, company in charge of maintenance, waste classification, community population and geographic features. The additional sites chosen were the BKK landfill in West Covina, California and the Dry Dock Depot in Upland, California. Both BKK and Dry Dock Depot were selected for the comparative analyses to Spadra because of there close regional proximity, BKK approximately 10 miles away and Dry Dock Depot approximately 19 miles away from Spadra. The BKK landfill in West Covina, California is a large multi-classification landfill site that has been earmarked for redevelopment by the City of West Covina. The 583 acre site was once a large municipal landfill and toxic waste disposal facility until 1989. In 2004 the company in charge of maintenance operations for the landfill, BKK Corporation, relinquished responsibility of the site due to financial deficiencies (westcov.org). In recent years the City of West Covina has worked closely with the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to implement redevelopment plans for the BKK landfill. In 2003 the City of West Covina purchased 230 acres of non-landfill contaminated property from the BKK Corporation which includes property surrounding the closed Class I and Class III landfills for a total purchase of $6.24 million. Post closure development plans for the land includes the Big League Dreams project; a private baseball/softball facility featuring six major league baseball replica fields, restaurant and athletic facilities, commercial and retail shopping space are also planned as well as an eighteen hole public golf course on top of the Class III green waste landfill. Forty-seven acres of the BKK landfill also serves as national conservation habitat for the California Gnatcatcher, a federally endangered bird. The city of West Covina is hoping that the BKK reclamation project will yield valuable commercial and recreation uses that will enhance their community.

Site plan for BKK landfill now referred to as the West Covina Sportsplex. Image courtesy of www.westcovina.org

URP 462 Senior Project

Section 3

The Upland Landfill, now know as the Dry Dock Depot, was officially closed in 1979. From 1992 to 1996 the land was leased to the B&B outdoor plant nursery but due to concerns about irrigated water infiltration the lease was terminated. The site is currently under lease by the Dry Dock Company who in 1998 began using the capped landfill site as a recreational vehicle (RV) storage site. The RV storage park was expanded in 1999 and again in 2003. Both the BKK and Dry Dock Depot sites are examples of successful land reclamation of former landfills. Table 1.1 details the list of comparable variables for each site. Table 1.1

Variables Address

Spadra

BKK

4125 W. Valley, Walnut CA, 91789

Dry Dock

Size (acres)

320

2210 S. Azusa Ave, West Covina, CA 91792 583

Date Closed

2000

1989

1979

N/A

2003

1998

Date of 1 Development Elapsed Time (between closure and redevelopment) Owner Owner Type Adjacent Land Uses Site Zoning Maintenance Company Comm. Population (3 mile radius) Geographic Features Classification

1450 N Campus Ave, Upland, CA, 91786 36 Sport Complex with 6 baseball and soccer fields built over Lapari Landfill in

+9 yrs. (2000 to current)

14 yrs.

19 yrs.

Cal Poly Pomona/ LACSD State University/ Regional Agency R-1 SFR (Hillside), Natural Open Space S- School

DTSC/ City of West Covina Federal Agency/ Local Municipality C-1 Commercial, R-1 SFR C-1 Commercial, S-Special Use Waste Management Enforcement Agency for the City of West Covina (WMEA) 189,005

City of Upland

SP-Special Land Use

hills, valleys, freeway

flat land, minor streets

Class I: hazardous & municipal waste Class III: municipal waste

Class III: municipal waste

Cal Poly Pomona

86,594

hills, canyons, major streets Class III: municipal waste

New Jersey

Local Municipality R-1 SFR

Dry Dock Depot Co.

155,859

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URP 462 Senior Project

The above variables were obtained through email correspondence and the study of a variety of documents. City of Upland email correspondence was conducted with Iris Patronite; Redevelopment Department and Jennifer Alfaro and Steve Gapuzan; Public Works. City of West Covina variables are published on the cities website under link “BKK Landfill”. Correspondence with California Poly Technical University, Pomona was done with George Rendering of the Fontana softball park. Image courtesy of www.bmla.net

Poole; Agricultural Education, Walter Marquez; Facilities Director and Debra Garr; Procurement Department.

Research and Analysis A quantitative research approach yield a variety of results which helped to

Dock serve as models for what a viable land reclamation project could do. Owner Type: Both BKK and Dry

determining the necessary elements for a successful landfill redevelopment and/or

Dock Depot are owned or co-owned by a local

land reclamation. The qualitative research

municipality while Spadra is not owned by any

method which included interviews,

form of local government such as a city. The

correspondence and publication

owner type of the two redeveloped landfills

examination confirmed similar components

may contribute to their successful reclamation

necessary in both policy and approach when

or to Spadra’s lack of redevelopment interest.

redeveloping landfills. The study of variables

Local municipalities often have a greater vested

mentioned in section 3 yielded significant

interested in land-uses and serving the public

results about the variables; adjacent land

good.

uses, owner type, elapse time and community population. Adjacent Land-Use: The one

Elapse Time (from closure of landfill to first redevelopment): The elapse time from the closure of a landfill to the time of first

common denominator between all three

redevelopment for both the BKK and Dry Dock

sites, the study site Spadra (undeveloped)

site was approximately 15 to 20 years. This

and comparison sites BKK and Dry Dock

variable is of interested because the Spadra

(redeveloped), was that R-1 Single Family

landfill has only been officially closed for 9

Residential zoning surrounded each of the

years. The longer a municipal landfill is closed

former landfills. Both BKK’s and Dry Dock’s

the more time is available for vegetation to

redevelopment approaches are designed to

naturally reclaim the site as well as allow time

serve the adjacent community by providing

for the appropriate maintenance procedures to

retail, recreational and storage facilities. If

be completed including the collection and

the Spadra landfill were to be redeveloped

venting of methane gas pockets and the

successfully the examples of BKK and Dry

procurement of a final capping system. (Both methane gas collection and the type of capping system were omitted as variables in this study

Section 3

URP 462 Senior Project due to their complex engineering nature

Community Services, Public Works and

however both the methane extractions

Redevelopment departments were very

process and final capping system are

knowledgeable about their respective

considered to be very important aspect to

redeveloped landfill sites. The City of West

a landfill redevelopment.)

Covina has even gone so far as to create a

Community Population:

separate webpage which informs the community

Community population may be the most

about post closure activities at the BKK landfill,

telling of all the variables in this study.

including the sites history, purchase price,

Using the ESRI data base for complex

development process and future plans. The City

demographic information it was

of West Covina has made the redevelopment of a

determined that within a three mile radius

former toxic waste dump very public and created

of the Spadra landfill the adjacent

public information documentation about the

"In its 43 years of operation, the (Spadra)

population was only 86,594. Dry Dock

project that is easily accessible. The

Depot in Upland is surrounded by almost

redevelopment departments of each city were

environmentally sound,

double the population at 155,859 and West

accessible and helpful in the data gathering

cost effective method of

Covina’s BKK landfill three mile radius

process of this study which is in stark contrast

population was even greater at 189,005.

when compared to the staff of Cal Poly Pomona.

Density plays an important roll in any type

Neither the facilities department at Cal Poly nor

of development or community

the University’s Agriculture department were

improvement program. The main reason

knowledgeable about any long term plans for the

the Spadra landfill has not be redeveloped

Spadra landfill. The University’s Procurement

may be due to the low density of the

department was also unable to find the 1985

surrounding community.

joint power’s agreement with the Los Angeles

The quantitative variables suggest

disposal for approximately 17 million tons of refuse from the eastern San Gabriel Valley.” -Charles W. Carry, Chief Engineer & General Manager for LACSD

County Sanitation District, which is the only

that a feasible landfill redevelopment site

long term general planning document ever

is one that is owned or operated by a local

created for the landfill. During this study the

municipality, has been closed for 15 to 20

staff at Cal Poly Pomona had a general

years, has a large community population

disinterested in the Spadra landfill which was

and is surrounded by residential land-

apparent in the lack of cooperation given to this

uses. The qualitative analysis in this study

study. Therefore the final, and perhaps most

confirms that the aforementioned

important ingredient, in a successful landfill

variables as important elements in a

redevelopment policy is a staff and decision

successful landfill redevelopment policy.

makers who are committed to land reclamation

Both the City of Upland and the

landfill provided an

and serving the public good.

City of West Covina employees in the

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URP 462 Senior Project

Figure 2.1 Adjacent Land-uses surround the Spadra Landfill in Pomona, California

Note: Because this study places a strong emphasis on redeveloping landfill sites into public recreation areas the Dry Dock Depot in the City of Upland, California was omitted from the recommendations and final conclusion comments. The choice to redevelop a former landfill site into a paved parking and storage facility is not recommended by this study due to the negative impact such sites have on the environmental.

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URP 462 Senior Project

Recommendation 1: Natural Preserve As described in Clark’s article, “Wildland of Cal Poly Pomona- In Memory” the Spadra landfill is home to a variety of plants and trees including the California Black Walnut and the Coast Live Oak two very rare species of trees. Many cities throughout the state have even implemented city ordinances which prevent the removal of any established Coast Live Oak or Black Walnut. Curtis Clark is a botanist and professor of Biological Sciences at Cal Poly Pomona and his concerns over the loss of wild lands surrounding Cal Poly University are echoed in this study. The recommendation to designate a large portion of the Spadra landfill as a natural preserve will allow the land to be studied by the University’s Regenerative Studies and Agriculture departments in the future as well as preserve and reestablish the positive policies of the former Landlab program which include planting trees and conservation. Both Boston Island and the BKK landfill have taken similar steps toward conservation. A natural preserve will also create a suitable setting for a nature trail. Recommendation 2: Nature Trail The need for public open space and recreation areas that promote public health is at the top of the list for most major cities in the United States. A hiking and bicycle trail throughout a natural preserve area of Spadra would allow local residents to enjoy nature and improve their physical health. A trail though the Spadra preservation area could also be used as a learning tool by the adjacent public schools and universities. A hiking and bicycling trail that prohibits any motorized vehicles is inexpensive and easy to construct, turning Spadra landfill into Spadra natural preserve and trail in the hearts and minds of local residents. Recommendation 3: Leasing of Land Following the example of the BKK landfill in West Covina this study recommends the low cost leasing or sale of land to the neighboring local municipalities. This recommendation is based on the findings that local cities are more equipped and more apt in the redevelopment process. Leasing the land to a neighboring city creates a number of benefits including revenue

Section 4: Recommendations from the sale or lease, management division of a large site and vested community interest. A

lease or sale to either the City of Walnut or City of Pomona should also limit the land-use to a

Policy Recommendations public recreation park. The finding of this study along with best practices examples given by the Boston Island Recommendation Public Recreational Park for the project and the BKK site redevelopment have4:lead to theSports following recommendations The main focus of this study redeveloping former landfills Spadra landfill at Cal Poly Pomona. It is recommended that is a large portion of the Spadra siteinto be recreations area because for of the limited of land-uses a landfill can sustain and the growing need for public classified as a natural preserve a variety ofvariety vegetations and trees. The site should also open sports and recreation parks serve needs ofofthe incorporate a nature trail forspace. hikingPublic and bicycling through the preserve area.the A portion thecommunity in a variety of ways and for have a transformative quality on former landfills. parks have been proven to Spadra landfill, that most suited a sports park, should be leased to either of the Sports neighboring positively impactAs the surrounding community raising property values (something that cities of Walnut or Pomona, California. a condition of the lease theby land should be developed by the local municipality into a “low-impact” public sports park.

Section 4

URP 462 Senior Project

often lowers when next to a landfill), create healthier residents and providing valuable afterschool activities for adolescents. The City of West Covina’s plans for the BKK landfill include private softball/baseball fields, currently under construction, and a public golf course. Located in the nearby City of Fontana “low-impact” sports parks are being designed to combat limitations in natural resources such as water (fontana.org). A low-impact sports park refers to the use of artificial field turf which limits irrigation and maintenance needs, the nominal use of permanent structures which mitigates the need for costly excavating and disruption below the soil. Drought tolerant plans and materials also minimize the need for the extensive irrigation normally society with sports parks. The one draw back to a low impact park however is the lack of electricity which limits the parks ability to be used during late night hours. Residents and sports leagues in Fontana nevertheless have found ways to address this problem by purchasing their own gas powered generators to run lights for evening games. A low-impact sports park fits the special needs of a landfill redevelopment project perfectly while creating a viable public asset.

Conclusion

Fontana Softball Park. Image courtesy of www.bmla.net

Work Sited

Bibliography

Fall 2009 Instructor: Professor Marta Perlas AIA

Cal Poly Pomona University

Department of Urban and Regional Planning

Belanger, Pierre (2006, May). Trash Topography. Alternatives are presented to Ontario's practice of shifting garbage across the border to mass landfills in Michigan. Canadian Architect, 15-17. Chang, P (2004, Dec). The State of the Region 2004. Retrieved May 20, 2009, from SCAG | Southern California Association of Governments Web site: www.scag.ca.gov/publications/pdf/2004/SOTR04_Trans.pdf Clark, C (2005, June 17). Wildlands of Cal Poly Pomona- In Memory. Retrieved June 1, 2009, from CSU Pomona Web site: http://www.csupomona.edu/~jcclark/wildlands/memory.html#spadra Harnik, P., Taylor, M., & Welle, B. (2006). From Dumps to Destinations: The Conversion of Landfills to Parks. Places (Cambridge, Mass.), 18(1), 83-8. Retrieved 28 May 2009, from OmniFile Full Text Mega database. Kavazanjian, E (2007). Sustainable Redevelopment Of Former And Abandoned Landfills. Retrieved May 28, 2009, from Sufalnet Endreport Web site: www.endreportsufalnet.net/static/files/Kavazanjian.pdf Ozarowski, P. (2006). Landfill Redevelopment Creates Community Asset. Brownfield News.com, Retrieved may 19, 2009, from www.haleyaldrich.com/downloads/publications/WBC_Brownfields_News.pdf

Pierce, P.E., J (2006). Commercial Development Of Closed Landfills:. Retrieved May 19, 2009, from SCS- Secure- Integrated Real Estate, Site Renewal, Web site: http://www.scs-secure.com/Papers/6-02%20Commercial This research was intended%20Development%20of%20Closed%20LF.pdf to test the theory that the Spadra landfill is not being

redeveloped because of Bthe negative attached to formerBlooms dump sites Pool, (1996, Jan).connotation New Approach to Old Landfills at Calwhich Poly Test Site. Retrieved June 1, 2009, from Los Angeles Times Web site: discourages redevelopment both by cities and developers. And that the significant remediation

Email: http://articles.latimes.com/1996-01-08/local/me-22289_1 cost, additional precautionary efforts and the relative ease to build on virgin green-fields were glnichols@csupomona.edu

Rynk, R. Compost A Landfill And Grows Aand National Park. also contributing factors of(2003). avoidance. AfterRemediates the examination of the variables

BioCycle, 44(12), 34-8. Retrieved 28 May 2009, from OmniFile Full Text Mega

documentation associated with thedatabase. Spadra landfill and other landfill sites, the conclusion of

Spiegel, R. (2007). Green Scene. Design News, 62(14), 26. Retrieved 28 May 2009,

this study is that the initial theory from was incorrect. to this studies finding the main OmniFile According Full Text Mega database. reasons the Spadra landfill has not been redeveloped are low density in the surround (2001, March). Reusing Superfund Sites. Retrieved May 6 2009,

community and a management/ownership uninterested in providing from U.S.entity Environmental Protection Agencycommunity Web site: www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/recycle/pdf/reusingsites.pdf benefits through redevelopment. The recommendations made in this essay extend beyond the

Spadra landfill to a(2001 majority of Spadra formerLandfill landfills(Post sitesClosure eligibleActivities). for redevelopment. April). Retrieved The Juneresearch 1, 2009, in Los Angeles County Sanitation Distrcits Web site: this study clearly supports the needfrom for the land reclamation of former landfills and the benefits

http://www.lacsd.org/about/solid_waste_facilities/spadra/default.asp

a public recreation park through redevelopment.

(2001 Dec. 5). Closed, Illegal and Abandoned Disposal Sites Priority List. Retrieved May 22, 2009, from California Integrated Waste Management Board Web site: www.ciwmb.ca.gov/leacentral/cia/Priority.pdf (2003). Superfund Community Involvement. Retrieved May 12, 2009, from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web site: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/community/index.htm (2003, Dec.). Draft 2004 Regional Transportation Plan Program Environment Impact Report. Retrieved May 20, 2009, from SCAG | Southern California Association of Governments Web site: http://www.scag.ca.gov/RTPpeir2004/draft/2004/pdf/rtp_peir04.pdf

(2007). Trail-Building Toolbox. Retrieved May 28, 2009, from Rails to Trails Conservancy Web site: http://www.railstotrails.org/whatwedo/trailbuilding/index.html (2007 Sept.). Proposed Plan for the Abandoned Landfill and Southern Sites Area at Sierra Army Depot . Retrieved May 19, 2009, from EnviroStor: Department of Toxic Substance Control Web site: www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/view_document.asp? docurl=/regulators/deliverable_documents/1452878654/...20.07.pdf (2007). CEQA: The California Environmental Quality Act. Retrieved May 20, 2009, from California Environmental Resources Evaluation System Web site: http://ceres.ca.gov/ceqa/more/faq.html

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(2009). City of Fontana, Community Services and Recreation. Retrieved Oct 10, 2009, from The City of Fontana Web site: http://www.fontana.org/main/parks_rec/rec_home.htm (2009). 4-26 Landfill Cap: (Soil Containment Remediation Technology). Retrieved Oct 31, 2009, from Federal Remediation Technology Roundtable Web site: http://www.frtr.gov/matrix2/section4/4-27.html (2009). Patronite, Iris; City of Upland Redevelopment Dept. Telephone interview. 15 October 2009. (2009). Alfaro, Jennifer: City of Upland Public Works Dept. Email interview. 22 October 2009. (2009). Gapuzan, Steve: City of Upland Public Works Dept. Email interview. 23 October 2009. (2009). Poole, George: Agriculture Dept. Email interview. 29 September 2009. (2009). Marquez, Walter; Cal Poly Pomona Facilities Director. Telephone interview. 1 November 2009. (2009). Garr Debra; Cal Poly Pomona Procurement Department. Telephone interview. 2 November 2009.