LRPC Conceptual Plan

In 2004 the Conservancy partnered with graduate students at Cal Poly Pomona's Graduate School of Architectural Design to create a comprehensive conceptual plan and design guidelines for Lakeside's River Park, with recommendations for linking the park to the surrounding community. Collectively called Studio 606, the graduate students held workshops which provided the residents of Lakeside with a chance to contribute to their future.

Students, parents and community members were asked about their attitudes, desires and concern for their hometown. They participated in discussions and took surveys which allowed them to comment on what amenities would be most beneficial to maintain the “small town” feel of Lakeside while uniting the community.

Studio 606 students also gathered data in order to understand local geology, river hydrology, the effects of the local climate, natural resources, wildlife resources, Lakeside’s cultural history and demographics. They spent over a year compiling research and designed a plan which takes into account the needs expressed by the community.

Our table of contents for this 200-page color design manual are below. We are sure you will see many items of interest. We have also created a 50-page mini-report, which contains only the Conceptual Design plan details (pages 59-120) in black & white.

Either book may be purchased by contacting our office at: (619) 443-4770. The full report is available for $45.00 and the mini-report for $5.00.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements.................................................... iii

Abstract................................................................ iv

Table of Contents..................................................... v

Section 1. Introduction................................................. 1

Background and Purpose............................................. 3

Location and Study Area............................................. 4

Issues................................................................... 6

Goals and Objectives............................................. ... 8

Design Process........................................................ 10

Section 2. Natural and Cultural Landscape.......................... 11

Geomorphology........................................................ 13

Sedimentation............................................. .... 14

Soils............................................................. 15

Exploitation of Mineral Resources........................... 16

Effect of Dams................................................. 17

Hydrology.............................................................. 18

Climate and Precipitation.................................... 18

Historical San Diego River Flow............................. 19

Current San Diego River Flow............................... 20

Reservoirs..................................................... 21

Flooding........................................................ 21

Surface Water Quality........................................ 22

Groundwater.................................................. 23

Groundwater Recharge....................................... 24

Groundwater Levels.......................................... 25

Vegetation ........................................................... 26

Ruderal Nonnative Grasslands ..............................27

Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub.................................. 27

Riparian Habitats............................................ 28

Wildlife ...............................................................30

Wildlife Corridors............................................ 31

Multiple Species Conservation Program Linkages ....... 31

Sensitive Biological Resources .............................32

Settlement History.................................................. 33

Built Environment................................................... 37

Existing Land Use ........................................... 37

Community Context......................................... 41

Parks and Recreation ....................................... 46

Community Perspectives........................................... 48

Growth Projections ................................................ 50

Section 3. Suitability Modeling...................................... 51

Value Matrix........................................................ 53

Proximity Matrix................................................... 54

Suitable Land Model............................................... 57

Section 4. Conceptual Design........................................ 59

Concept Statement................................................. 61

River Park Concept Plan........................................... 62

Concept Diagram................................................... 64

Circulation and Trail Network..................................... 66

Typical Trail and Path Configurations.................... 68

Design Standards .................................................. 70

Water Quality and Aquifer Recharge...................... 70

Plants ........................................................ 74

Park Entrances ............................................. 75

Trail Junctions ............................................. 77

Offshoot Trails ............................................. 78

Safety ....................................................... 78

Preservation of Views ..................................... 79

Environmental Education .................................. 79

Heritage Elements .......................................... 80

Public Art .................................................... 81

Parking Lots ................................................. 82

Recycled Materials .......................................... 82

Sustainable Building Design ................................ 83

Design Language ............................................ 84

Concept Designs.................................................... 88

River Corridor ............................................... 88

Tank Hill Sports Complex .................................. 92

Riverfront Yard .............................................. 96

Gateway Green ............................................. 102

Hanson Activity Grounds .................................. 106

Archery Range .............................................. 112

Cactus County Park ........................................ 114

Bridges ...................................................... 117

Section 5. Design Evaluation ........................................ 121

Community Core .................................................. 123

Recreation ......................................................... 124

Habitat ............................................................. 125

Water .............................................................. 126

Connectivity ....................................................... 127

Visual Character .................................................. 128

Social Development .............................................. 129

Section 6. Future Management and Planning ................... 131

Suggestions for Future Study ................................... 133

Recreational Facilities ................................... 133

Lindo Lake Revitalization ................................ 134

Maine Street Pedestrian District ........................ 135

Mapleview Avenue / Highway 67 Realignment ........ 136

Campgrounds .............................................. 137

Wildlife Corridor ........................................... 137

Phasing Recommendations ...................................... 138

Phase One ................................................. 138

Phase Two ................................................. 139

Phase Three ............................................... 139

Alternative Scenarios ..................................... 140

Section 7. Appendices .............................................. 141

Supplemental Hydrologic Data .................................. 143

History of Water in San Diego ........................... 143

Reservoirs ................................................. 144

Pollution Sources .......................................... 145

Pools & Riffles ............................................. 146

CalMat Reclamation Project ..................................... 147

Current CalMat Site Conditions .......................... 147

Surface Mining and Reclamation Act .................... 147

Reclamation Efforts ....................................... 148

Plant Palette ...................................................... 149

Suitability Mapping ............................................... 153

Community Input ................................................. 154

Community Workshop Data – Workshops #1 and #2 ... 154

Community Workshop Data – Workshop #3 Data ...... 155

Community Survey Data .................................. 158

Student Workshop Data .................................. 162

Student Survey Data ...................................... 164

A Day in the Park ................................................. 173

Carrie and Ranger ......................................... 173

Frank and Charlie .......................................... 174

Tony ......................................................... 175

Rosie ........................................................ 176

Mr. Gnatcatcher ........................................... 178

Beyond the Classroom Walls ..................................... 179

The Individual and the Experience of Place ................... 185

Reasonable Places for Reasonable People ..................... 188

What is community? ............................................. 195

References ........................................................ 200

About SDRPLC .................................................... 206

About the 606 Studio ............................................ 208

Team Member Profiles ........................................... 209

Conceptual Plan for the River Park