MAY 2011 DEPARTMENT OF URBAN STUDIES AND PLANNING CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSIT Y, NORTHRIDGE
PACOIMA WASH RIVER IMPROVEMENT OVERLAY (RIO) PROPOSAL
BACKGROUND Approximately four miles of channelized concrete, the Pacoima Wash has served the residents of the Northeast San Fernando Valley as an unsightly flood control tributary while simultaneously dividing dynamic communities between Pacoima and the City of San Fernando. This project is a collaborative effort between students enrolled in the Community Based Urban Design course at California State University Northridge in the fall semester of 2010 and the nonprofit organization Pacoima Beautiful, to produce design guidelines appropriate for development along the Pacoima Wash.
Soccer Fields Basketball Courts RIO Boundaries Pacoima Wash
Focus Area: A two mile segment from San Fernando Rd. to the Pacoima Spreading Grounds. Approximately 1/4 mile radius from the Pacoima Wash
1
PURPOSE The intent of this project was to (1) identify lack of public open space in Pacoima, (2) analyze three years of previously researched data, and (3) establish design guidelines and aerial maps for a River Improvement Overlay (RIO) project. The focus was a two mile segment from San Fernando Road to the Pacoima Spreading Grounds.
Industrial trucks in neighborhood streets Photo: 2008 Mixed Use Development Proposal
Auto Dismantlers in Pacoima Photo: 2011 Marcos Zamora-Sanchez
This project was intended to assist Pacoima Beautiful’s Pacoima Wash Vision Plan, outlining concepts for revitalizing the Pacoima Wash as a recreational amenity that includes bike and pedestrian trails and enhances connectivity to parks and open spaces such as the Angeles National Forest in the north east San Fernando Valley. Another purpose of this project was to encourage residents to utilize public spaces in their neighborhoods. Cumulative impacts from industries and highways in Pacoima create toxic environments in a region where 17% of residents are obese, 20% suffer from asthma, and 6% with diabetes. The existing 54 acres of park space in Pacoima misrepresents the needs of a community comprised of over 90,000 residents living within 7.14 square miles. Developing a riverfront along the Pacoima Wash alleviates what is considered a‘park poor’neighborhood, serves as a way to create connections between communities, and increases public access to natural resources.
Highway intersections Photo: 2011 Carlos Hernandez
2
PROCESS This project is the culmination of three years of research by students in Urban Design/Urban Problems Seminar courses and the residents of Pacoima. Students of the Fall 2010 session analyzed three research reports as well as a walking tour/mobile workshop facilitated by members of Pacoima Beautiful.
The fist study was conducted in May 2008 and focused on developing a Mixed Use Development Proposal for the neighborhood of Pacoima. This study established the need for public open spaces as well as other uses in the area, and introduced community members to the process of urban planning. This study included 339 community member interviews and 35 workshop attendants. The charts outline how the community chooses to spend their leisure time and weather it is done so in Pacoima or not.
2008 Interview Outcomes
The second study took place during May 2009 and focused on developing a Public Open Space Proposal in an area occupied by an asphalt recycling center. The intent was to propose an alternative to the existing asphalt recycling plant and ease the adverse effect of industries adjacent to residential areas. This study included 156 community member interviews and 35 workshop attendants. The 2009 interview outcomes outlined the need for public open space in Pacoima. 2009 Interview Outcomes 3
PROCESS
Walking tour outcomes
2010 Student walking paths
Pacoima Beautiful conducted a walking tour within the restricted areas of the Pacoima Wash and distributed pamphlets. Residents who participated were then able to visualize and document the needs of the community for potential development of the Pacoima Wash. There were 50 participants fin the walking tour. The chart describes needs along future development of the Pacoima wash with emphasis on designated opportunity areas. Results of the walking tour highlight elements of open space, circulation, and connection. The last study focused on proposing Walkable Streets around San Fernando High School; a public High School on the border of Pacoima and the City of San Fernando. This project examined accessibility, safety, and comfort for students walking to and from school and was completed in 2010. A total of 391 High School students participated in identifying frequently used streets in their neighborhood. The student walking paths identified Laurel Canyon Boulevard as the most used thoroughfare, a main street that crosses a major highway intersection and the Pacoima wash.
The students of the CSUN Urban Planning courses then developed user preference diagrams to address needs of the community according to the previously researched data. The user preference diagram helped develop appropriate Design Guidelines for future development of the Pacoima wash.
User preference diagram 4
DESIGN GUIDELINES MOBILITY
Land along the Pacoima Wash should enhance mobility for the surrounding residents. According to the 2008 leisure time activity outcomes, a high percentage of residents enjoy walking and do so in Pacoima.
Circulation All paths should be accessible for all users and lead to designated activity areas. Pedestrians Develop walking paths along the wash to increase circulation and encourage walking for residents. Increase pedestrian access from buildings and neighborhoods adjoining the River Greenway. Paths are to consist of smooth, hard surfaces to encourage accessibility for strollers and wheelchairs. Bicycles Design and develop bicycle lanes for increased mobility, transportation, and recreation. Areas of the Pacoima wash should be connected by shared use paths that promote multi modal traffic including walkers, joggers, skateboarders, bicyclists, and other non-motorized users. Bicycle racks should be provided to promote the use of multi modal traffic. Automobiles Strict parking regulation and accessibility should be considered within the outlined Âź Mile distance of the wash; protecting the current parking requirements and facilitate needs for nonneighborhood residents.
Mobility design Connection Residents should have easy access to the Pacoima wash and its accompanying amenities. Bridges Land along the Pacoima wash should accommodate additional bridges to connect residents, paths, and amenities on either side of the wash. Existing bridges should be revitalized and increase accessibility for residents and commuters. Entrances All entrances should be prominent and easily accessible. All critical nodes and intersections should have entrances to the wash. Signage should be prominent and near entrances. Land along the Pacoima wash should include incorporate gateways. Classification of Streets Principal Arterial Streets provide long distance, continuous routes within urban areas typically used by commercial trucks. Minor Arterial Streets are continuous routes through urban areas used mostly for touring purposes. Connector Streets gather traffic from local streets and deliver to and from arterial streets. Local Streets are short in length and frequently interrupted by traffic control devices. These streets are typically short in distance and cater to both residential and commercial zones.
5
DESIGN GUIDELINES Extent of the River Improvement Overlay (RIO) All streets leading to the wash should consider design guidelines described herein. Planning for the Pacoima Wash should not be limited to the river channel itself, but should include open and natural space, transportation, housing, business, community development, art, and other existing infrastructure. Development of the Pacoima Wash should serve as a regional destination; contributing to the economic vitality of the city and the region. The Pacoima Wash should improve neighborhood connection, providing opportunities for increased recreation/less auto dependent streets. Development along the Pacoima Wash should include existing parkways and other open spaces such as the Pacoima spreading grounds.
Land along the Pacoima wash should facilitate activity areas and encourage community participation. The 2009 public open space proposal listed the majority of residents wanted children’s playgrounds and picnic areas.
ACTIVITIES
Social Residents along the Pacoima Wash should have access to social activities. Playgrounds Development along the Pacoima Wash should accommodate children’s playgrounds. Benches should accompany playgrounds for parental supervision. Picnic Several designated picnic areas will outline the length of the wash and are to include tables, benches, and an outdoor grill. Community Garden Residents should have access to a common community garden to interact with others, cultivate the land, and harvest crops. A community garden should facilitate 20 or more plots with dimensions of 100 square feet for each plot. Dog Park Designated dog pocket-parks should accommodate pet owners and leash-free dogs.
Athletic Recreation Land along the Pacoima wash should accommodate the athletic needs of the community. Sports Given the limited space, parkways should facilitate soccer fields and basketball half-courts where space and accessibility is available. Exercise Court Designated exercise areas should accommodate the fitness and health requirements for surrounding residents. Youth friendly exercise stations should be included in the development of the Pacoima wash. Skate Park An outdoor skate park should be encouraged where space and accessibility is available.
6
DESIGN GUIDELINES LANDSCAPING
Landscaping along the Pacoima wash should include native flora of Southern California as well as street furniture. The walking tour outcomes listed trees, street furniture, and native landscaping as the most necessary elements for the wash.
Street Furniture Development along the Pacoima Wash should contain street furniture. Benches Rest areas and benches along the wash will provide comfort and attraction to pedestrians. Recycling/Waste Containers Recycling and waste containers are should help reduce visible pollution and adhere to formal and informal sectors of recycling initiatives. Recycling and waste containers should be placed every 200 feet along paths and at critical nodes/intersections. Recycling and Waste Containers are to be located near activity areas especially picnic, community garden, and rest room facilities. Rest rooms All rest rooms should be connected by paths or activity areas. Lighting All paths and activity areas should include adequate lighting, ensuring visibility at night. Photovoltaic lighting should be encouraged as the main source of night visibility in the Pacoima wash. Public Art Public art, such as murals, mosaics, and sculptures, should be encouraged and introduced to the Pacoima RIO. All public art is to represent the character of Pacoima. Signage All entrances should be well defined including signage, a bulletin announcing events, and a map of the many activities to be found in the RIO. Plaques should be installed to describe monuments and the history of Pacoima. Distance indicators should be visible on all paths.
Plants Development of the Pacoima RIO should include comprehensive planting guidelines. Landscaping should be used to separate paths and distinguish activity areas. All landscape flora should consist of drought tolerant, native plants to conserve water and re-establish the character of the community. Water consuming trees are to be limited wherever possible and fruit producing trees are to be encouraged, especially near community garden locations. A native plant riverfront should support the migration patterns of species.
7
Prepared by the students of Community Based Urban Design course in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at California State University, Northridge during the Fall semester of 2010: Carlos Hernandez* Haneefah Abdullah Matthew Azpilicueta Loriel Cacho Audel Contreras Saud Daham Arsen Dervishian Hugo Figueredo Aaron Gudelj Sarah Haney Julie Irabon Paul McClaren Lilyana Morejon Janae Morris Tania Oronoz Gail Pitters Ralph Sansano Daniel Savala Joshua Schroder *Responsible for preparation of the final booklet
Under the supervision of: Zeynep Toker, PhD. Associate Professor Urban Studies and Planning Department California State University, Northridge In collaboration with Pacoima Beautiful
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE 18111 NORDHOFF ST. NORTHRIDGE CA, 91330