By Jack Stubbs
At a time when public open space remains an increasingly valuable commodity amid extensive development occurring throughout Los Angeles County, cities and project teams are looking to collaborate on creative solutions to maximize the potential of underutilized open space.
One such example is the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, an approximately 2,000-acre flood management basin located in the San Fernando Valley near the intersection of the 101 and 405 Freeways at 17017 Burbank Blvd.
The Sepulveda Basin, which is owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers – and includes parks and recreational facilities managed primarily by the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks – is the largest public open space in the San Fernando Valley, according to the Department of Public Works Bureau of Engineering’s website.
In 2020, the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Public Works Bureau of Engineering began conceptualizing the Sepulveda Basin Vision Plan, a long-term strategic plan for the transformation of the Sepulveda Basin.
Some of the primary goals of the plan include increasing the resilience of the Basin and surrounding neighborhoods; increasing ecosystem function within the Basin using nature based solutions; improving water quality of streams and outlets entering the Basin; improving multi-modal transportation access to the Basin and within the Basin; and enhancing recreational, educational and cultural programming.
The Sepulveda Basin currently provides a number of recreational opportunities and amenities for San Fernando Valley residents – some of which include parks, a wildlife preserve, an 80-acre sports field, an archery range, bike paths, hiking trails and playgrounds, among others.
However, there is a recognition that, overall, the Basin is underutilized, and could be enhanced to provide better natural habitat, recreation, and cultural spaces and opportunities.
Additionally, surrounding neighborhoods are severely lacking in green open spaces. There are only 0.2 acres of park per 1,000 people in Van Nuys and Sherman Oaks, a figure which is significantly below the Los Angeles County goal of four acres per 1,000 people.
The Bureau of Engineering is working with a number of landscape architects, engineers, architects, planners, outreach specialists, cost estimators and community organizations to establish the plan itself by 2024. The team includes Geosyntec Consultants, OLIN, Agency: Artifact, The Robert Group, Gruen Architects, Psomas, Alta, Estolano Advisors, Leland Saylor, and Pacoima Beautiful.
In addition to the enlisted project team, community engagement plays a significant role in the potential success of the plan.
“By working closely with the community, we will work to identify constraints, opportunities, and challenges in the Vision Plan. Outreach efforts will engage with the communities surrounding the Sepulveda Basin and the greater Valley-wide region,” the City’s website states.
The project website currently includes a survey-questionnaire for community members to provide feedback on the “early ideas” phase of the project. Since early 2023, the City has held a number of community open houses, meeting presentations and design workshops for stakeholder organizations.
In terms of its framework and timeline, the City’s new vision for the Basin has a long horizon. The plan includes a comprehensive redesign for the Basin, which will include up to 12 selected public projects, all of which will be incorporated into the larger redevelopment over approximately 25 years.
Three projects are currently under development by the City of Los Angeles: these include construction of the Balboa Aquatic Center; construction of the Hjelte Soccer Field; and LA River Way, which entails the construction of a bike path along the LA River in the Basin.
In terms of the more specific objectives outlined as part of the City’s vision, the initiative will study existing land uses, landscape features, habitats, patterns of use and user groups within the Sepulveda Basin, and identify areas that can be enhanced; establish a plan for improving mobility, access and wayfinding around and within the Basin for cars, pedestrians and cyclists; and improve the current flood risk capacity of the Basin.
Additionally, those spearheading the plan will need to outline a “decision-making framework” between the various entities involved in the plan, which include the Army Corps, the County and the City of Los Angeles.
