ITEM 6-G
City Council Meeting: September 26, 1995
STAFF REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation Regarding Establishment of
Eucalyptus Tree Grove Adjacent to Barnard Way
INTRODUCTION
This report provides a recommendation regarding siting of a
eucalyptus grove adjacent to Barnard Way.
BACKGROUND
Planning for the renovation of Lincoln Park formally began in FY
1989-90. The renovation plan was responsive to three major goals
identified through an extensive community input process:
1) To create an open, recreational area that would invite more
active uses into the park, especially in the afternoon and
evening. 2) To increase the perception that the park is a safe
place for both passive and active uses.
3) To expand open space areas.
The adopted plan required removal of twelve existing trees and
provided for planting twenty one new trees, which at maturity
will range from 25' to 45' in height. Following approval of the
plan and the availability of Proposition A funds for construction
of the improvements, work on the park began in early 1994. It
reopened in January 1995. While the park improvements have been
well received by a large and diverse user population, removal of
the trees, and in particular removal of a rare species of
eucalyptus, prompted public concern. City staff, the Recreation
and Parks Commission and City Council have initiated a number of
actions in response:
1) Evaluation of tree removal and replacement policies.
Interim evaluation and public notification procedures are in
place and recommended policy and ordinance changes will be
referred to the City Council in the near future.
2) Evaluation of public input strategies. Development of
park planning strategies is underway to ensure that a)
current user group needs and priorities are balanced with
the preferences of the community at large and potential
users, and b) public workshop participation includes
representatives of the entire community as well as the
neighborhoods in close proximity to the park. The Douglas
Park planning effort currently underway attempts to achieve
these goals.
3) Review of planting program at Lincoln Park. The
patterns of park use that have developed at Lincoln Park,
the disposition of Miles Playhouse, and the use of Lincoln
Park for outdoor performances are being evaluated to
determine the extent to which additional replanting in
Lincoln Park is desirable, as discussed below.
4) Replacement of eucalyptus trees. Alternative locations
for a new eucalyptus grove are discussed below.
ESTABLISHMENT OF EUCALYPTUS GROVE
At the September 20, 1994 Council meeting, staff was directed to
present options regarding the replacement of trees removed from
Lincoln Park, including costs and other implications. The
Recreation and Parks Commission has endorsed creation of a
eucalyptus grove including the species removed from Lincoln Park.
Grace Heintz, eucalyptus expert and author of Trees of Santa
Monica, has arranged for propagation of a variety of eucalyptus
seedlings at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. These seedlings
will be made available to the City when they are viable. Staff
has considered the following potential sites for a grove:
(l) Lincoln Park. Space is available in Lincoln Park,
primarily east of the basketball courts, for planting six or
more trees. While placement of a grove at this location is
feasible, observable patterns of park use which have
developed since its opening would be restricted if a grove
were established. Park users apparently enjoy the sunny
open areas for sunbathing, frisbee and ballgames. A survey
conducted before the park reopened indicated that current
and potential park users have a strong interest in attending
performances and special events in the park in the evening
and on weekends. The park design supports use of the
basketball court area for staging performances and events
and accordingly a popular program has been provided this
summer. Current sight lines, light and shade patterns and
ease of movement facilitate these activities, helping to
populate the eastern half of the park.
When funding is secured for renovation of earthquake damaged
Miles Playhouse, one element of the restoration will be the
design of appropriate landscaping for the area surrounding
the playhouse. The design for this additional landscaping
will consider the potential use of the playhouse, the
possibility of outdoor cafe concessions and the relationship
to the adjacent park space used for outdoor events.
At an appropriate time, staff will propose additional
planting at Lincoln Park in harmony with the use patterns
that have developed and the design of the Miles Playhouse
restoration.
(2) Pacific Park. Several eucalyptus could be planted in
this park located on Main Street.
(3) Clover Park. Several eucalyptus could be planted on
the 25th Street side of Clover Park, in areas north and
south of the day care center.
(4) Barnard Way Hillside. Six additional eucalyptus could
be planted on the Barnard Way hillside south of Bay Street.
(5) Civic Center. The park space that will result from
development of the Civic Center could be designed to
incorporate the grove.
Alternative numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 are achievable immediately upon
maturation of the Arboretum's eucalyptus seedlings and at minimal
cost. Number 5 would entail substantial delay of the grove's
establishment as work on the Civic Center park will involve
several years of effort.
Because no planting is recommended for Lincoln Park at this time,
the alternative locations have been discussed with Grace Heintz,
whose preference is for siting the grove at the Barnard/Bay site
with the existing eucalyptus. The location would benefit from
landscaping attention and the establishment of a grove here could
provide the focal point of a linear garden that would greatly
improve the appearance of the beach lots. Strategic siting at
the foot of the hillside will minimize potential impact on views
from the street and surrounding neighborhood. Mrs. Heintz looks
forward to personally participating in the planting of the
eucalyptus grove and observing its growth.
The Recreation and Parks Commission has considered this matter
and endorsed the recommendations that appear below. The Board of
the Ocean Park Community Organization has indicated that they
would welcome having the eucalyptus grove in Ocean Park.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
If option 4, the Barnard/Bay hillside location, is selected
establishment of the eucalyptus grove itself can be accomplished
within existing resources. In the future, enhancement of the
hillside south of the proposed grove would involve clearing
existing growth, retrofitting the irrigation system with drip
emitters, and replanting the area with appropriate shrubs and
perennials. The estimated cost of the wider project is $55,000.
Funds for this longer term enhancement can be considered in the
context of the multi-year Capital Improvement process, the Open
Space Element and the Recreation and Parks Master Plan.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that staff be directed to establish a
eucalyptus grove including the species removed from Lincoln Park
at the Barnard Way hillside as soon as eucalyptus seedlings are
received from the Los Angeles County Arboretum.
Submitted by:
Susan McCarthy, Director of Community and Cultural Services