Santa Ana River. Blue Ribbon Committee. Committee Members. Chair Cathy Green, Council Member Dave Sullivan, Mayor Gil Coerper, Mayor Pro Tem

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1 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH Santa Ana River Blue Ribbon Committee Committee Members Chair Cathy Green, Council Member Dave Sullivan, Mayor Gil Coerper, Mayor Pro Tem November 2006

2 Page 2 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH Acknowledgements City of Huntington Beach Community Services Commission Carrie Thomas Coastkeepers Garry Brown Earth Resource Foundation Stephanie Barger / Steve Ray Friends of Harbors, Beaches & Parks Jean Watt Huntington Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau Doug Traub Huntington Beach River Park Foundation Merrilee Madrigal Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy/OC River Park Lena Hayashi Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center Mary Behrens MWH Global Jerry King Santa Ana River Watershed Alliance Melanie Schlotterbeck Southern California Edison Jerry Dominguez Southeast Huntington Beach Neighborhood Association Steve Homer The Wildlands Conservancy D. P. Myers Community Services Staff Jim B. Engle, Director David C. Dominguez Cheryl Robinson Luann Brunson

3 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH Page 3 Table of Contents Executive Summary Vision Statement Objectives Opportunities and Challenges Possible Access Points Conceptual Gateway Signage

4 Page 4 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH Executive Summary The Santa Ana River provides a link from Riverside County to Orange County near the Prado Dam. A bike trail along the river heads thirty miles south, ending at the Pacific Ocean in Huntington Beach, at the border between Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. Along the way, the Santa Ana River and bike trail passes through several scenic parks and natural areas. The Santa Ana River runs along the eastern border of Huntington Beach from Garfield and Warner Avenues to Pacific Coast Highway, east of Brookhurst Street. In the City of Huntington Beach, there are several opportunities for the public to access the Santa Ana River and enjoy the nature and recreational amenities it offers. However, some access points (gateways) present challenges due to the surrounding urban environment. Private landownership and development along the river will have to be taken into consideration as the goal of reinvigorating the Santa Ana River to achieve its full open space potential is met. The City of Huntington Beach City Council approved the formation of the Santa Ana Blue Ribbon Committee to study the possible opportunities that exist and those that can be created to enhance the Santa Ana River within the city. The City of Huntington Beach Blue Ribbon Committee is part of a tri-county effort to create the Santa Ana River Park by linking the river and its amenities through the counties of San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange. The Blue Ribbon Committee members, with the assistance of city staff and valuable input from participating representatives from various organizations and agencies, have created a vision statement and objectives to enhance the Santa Ana River to become a valuable recreational and ecological asset to the City of Huntington Beach and surrounding communities. The Vision Statement and Objectives created by the Blue Ribbon Committee are consistent with the established goals of the Orange Coast River Park (OCRP). OCRP is a 1,000+ acre park project of the Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks, located at the mouth of the Santa Ana River encompassing open space in the County of Orange, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach.

5 Page 5 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH Huntington Beach Blue Ribbon Committee Santa Ana River Park VISION STATEMENT The City of Huntington Beach, geographically located at the mouth of the Santa Ana River, realizes and strives to enhance the unique asset of the Santa Ana River watershed. It provides a destination for residents and visitors alike, while serving as a vital corridor through Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. The City of Huntington Beach is committed to work toward restoring, expanding and conserving the river s natural habitats. The City celebrates the rich heritage and natural beauty of the Santa Ana River. The goal is to develop a safe greenbelt of parks and open space along the river for the public to enjoy recreation, physical fitness, history, education, and art while experiencing the wonders of nature. This goal will have positive effects on the economy and the quality of life of residents and visitors now and for generations to come.

6 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH Page 6 OBJECTIVES FOR THE SANTA ANA RIVER LINEAR PARKWAY The City of Huntington Beach endorses enhancing the Santa Ana River Linear Parkway for public use throughout Huntington Beach, and endorses the Orange Coast River Park (OCRP) Master Plan. In its efforts to achieve the goal of making the OCRP a reality, the city supports the following objectives: Creating uniform and comprehensive signage throughout the SAR parks and trails within the City of Huntington Beach Creating visitor kiosks and centers Developing marketing and interpretive materials for the general public to promote the park and eco-tourism Including multipurpose trails throughout Santa Ana River Parks and trails within the City of Huntington Beach Adding landscaping to improve the greening of the Santa Ana River Trail within the City of Huntington Beach Providing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access, wherever feasible Maximizing opportunities for recreation, physical fitness, history, education, and art Promoting the concept of stewardship where the public, who enjoys and uses the park, also accepts responsibility for its protection and maintenance Acquiring, expanding and restoring open space, parkland and native habitat along the Santa Ana River Linear Parkway within the City of Huntington Beach, where feasible and appropriate Promoting water quality issues within the Santa Ana River from the crest to the coast

7 Santa Ana River Park Possible Huntington Beach Access Points 7

8 Overview of Possible Access Sites 8

9 Opportunities and Challenges Access to and use of the Santa Ana River Trail as it runs through Huntington Beach offers both opportunities and challenges to make the best possible use of available open space. The following shows opportunities and challenges at some of the selected potential access sites. Additional detail would be developed upon selection of specific locations. Opportunities Potential links to existing bike trails and developed parks Existing or potential parking at selected sites Current utilization by joggers, bikers, etc. Challenges Shared access with nurseries Land ownership/ tenure issues Ramping or pathway construction needs Drainage 9

10 Garfield / Ward Site The Garfield / Ward site is located east of Ward at the end of Garfield Avenue, near the border of the City of Fountain Valley. The paving on Garfield Avenue extends to the rock levee of the Santa Ana River.To the south of Garfield, there is a parcel being used as a retail nursery. Ownership of this parcel needs to be determined before site can be considered as a gateway. Street improvements would be needed if parking and other amenities are constructed. Opportunities Potential area for public parking Challenges Land ownership under review Area currently affected by construction Ramping may be needed to access trail 10

11 Arevalos Park Arevalos Park is a 2.8-acre neighborhood park adjacent to the Santa Ana River. The property is owned by SCE and leased to the city under the terms of a five-year license agreement. Access to the park is through the residential tract north of Adams Avenue and south of Yorktown Avenue. The park site could provide an opportunity to access the adjacent trails along the river; however, ramping of the slope between the park and trail would be required. 11 Opportunities Possible link to river trail Existing developed park adjacent to trail Educational program opportunities possible through adjacent school Challenges Land not city-owned (owned by SCE) Ramping or pathway required to reach bike trail Internal to a residential tract with limited opportunities for public access and parking

12 Adams Avenue Site The Adams Avenue site is a one-acre portion of a 4.3 acre parcel owned by the city. The remainder of the parcel is currently used as a nursery operation. It is north of Adams Avenue near the bridge that passes over the Santa Ana River into Costa Mesa. The one-acre area is currently vacant and could be developed to support access to the Santa Ana River. Access to the site is limited to a narrow entry, which could present safety issues. 12

13 Adams Avenue Site Entry to Site from Adams service road 13 Southbound View Opportunities Looking toward Adams City-owned one acre parcel Possible link to river trail and Arevalos Park No known mitigation issues Challenges Potential access issues Conflicts with nursery operation Narrow entry to site Note: site has not been evaluated relevant to mitigation issues

14 LeBard Park The LeBard Park site is a five-acre area adjacent to LeBard School and the Santa Ana River. Access to the park is either through the Meredith Gardens tract or the Suburbia tract east of Brookhurst Street and south of Adams Avenue Two of the five acres are currently undeveloped; however, the city has prepared a conceptual master plan, which has been approved by the Community Services Commission, to extend turf and walking trails into the area. There is an existing asphalt ramp leading to the bike trail. However, proper sloping of the trail would have to be addressed, as well as drainage issues. View looking toward south park boundary 14

15 LeBard Park Opportunities Existing developed park adjacent to trail Public parking available Near pedestrian bridge crossing river into Costa Mesa Challenges Drainage issues need to be addressed Existing ramp may need to be View from Santa Ana River Trail reconfigured to address safety and ADA issues 15

16 Atlanta Avenue Site The Atlanta Avenue site is located east of Brookhurst Street where Atlanta Avenue comes to an end. The city created angled parking at this location and it is currently used as an access point to the river trail. Access from the end of Atlanta Avenue is adjacent to a vacant parcel to the south and a nursery operation to the north on land owned by SCE. The nursery uses Atlanta Avenue and the 15-foot wide asphalt road at the end of the street for access. This road, in addition to a 10-foot wide asphalt path immediately to the north, is used by bikers, joggers, etc. to access the river trail. Opportunities Current access to river trail Existing parking Currently recognized and utilized as access point by bikers, joggers, etc. 16 Challenges Shared access with nursery

17 Hamilton Street Bridge Opportunities Existing Connection to Bike Trail Entry points on north and south sides of Hamilton View looking North Challenges No public parking in the area View looking South 17

18 Bike Trail at Talbert Opportunities Existing Bike Trail Adjacent to Talbert Marsh Marsh View looking East Challenges No public parking in the area 18

19 PCH/Santa Ana River Opportunities Existing Bike Trail Connection off main highway Link to Talbert Marsh Bridge Bike trail entry north of PCH Challenges No public parking in the area 19

20 PCH / Magnolia Street At the PCH / Magnolia site, Magnolia Street intersects the wetlands north of Pacific Coast Highway. There is a flood control channel to the north of the wetlands encompassed by service trails used by Orange County Flood Control. These trails could provide an opportunity to link the PCH / Magnolia Street site with the wetlands and Wildlife Care Center, the Talbert Marsh area, and the Santa Ana River. Parking at the State Beach lot could be used to serve visitors if the PCH / Magnolia Street site were established as a gateway. 20 Looking north across PCH

21 PCH / Magnolia Street Opportunities Public Access from Magnolia Street On-street parking nearby Parking available across PCH at State Beach parking lot Park-like setting nearby Challenges Orange County Flood Control Agency approval needed Possible conflicts with OC Flood operations Possible opposition from homeowners east of Magnolia Street Barriers needed along trail View of flood control channel looking west 21 Nearby park setting

22 PCH / Newland Street The PCH / Newland site is in the proximity of the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center and is several hundred feet south of the Flood Control Channel intersecting Newland Street. Given the possible opportunities the Wildlife Care Center and the Flood Control channel could provide to the proposed river park, the PCH / Newland site could be considered as a gateway option. 22

23 PCH / Newland Street Opportunities Link to historic wetlands Parking at Wildlife Care Center Parking across PCH at State Beach parking lot Land owned by Wetlands Conservancy Entry to Conservancy Challenges Barriers needed along trails Looking north from conservancy entrance 23

24 Orange County Flood Control Levee Trails The major flood control channels run through the southeast portion of the city. The Huntington Channel starts on the east side of beach Boulevard, north of Pacific coast Highway and runs mainly parallel to PCH until it meets the Talbert Channel approximately 1,000 feet to the west of Brookhurst Street. The joint channel then passes under Brookhurst Street and PCH before emptying into the ocean just west of the Santa Ana River. The levee that runs along these channels offers the possibility of serving as public trails linking the Santa Ana river, Talbert Marsh, historic wetlands and the Newland Marsh. The channels are under the jurisdiction of the county and are surrounded by various landowners. It could be a serious challenge to achieve necessary approvals and design a system that would serve as public access, protect sensitive habitat and not be in conflict with county flood control operations. 24

25 Orange County Flood Control Levee Trails Opportunities Possible link from Beach Boulevard to Santa Ana River Adjacent to Wetlands Intersects public roads multiple public entry opportunities Challenges Land ownership issues Flood Control Channel does not meet Beach Boulevard Orange County Flood Control Agency approval needed Barriers would need to be established Possible conflicts with OC Flood Control operations Possible extension of Hamilton Avenue 25

26 Waterfront/Caltrans Opportunities Possible link to hotel Public parking available on Beach Blvd Possible access from Beach Blvd Wetlands Challenges No public parking in the area High cost to link wetlands across Beach Blvd. Possible land ownership issues 26

27 CONCEPTUAL GATEWAY SIGNAGE Future Gateway to Orange Coast River Park For more information, visit YOU ARE HERE 27

28 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH