Central-Arroyo-Master-Plan-.pdf

Central Arroyo Master Plan

CITY OF PASADENA

September 2003

THE CITY OF PASADENA

CENTRAL ARROYO

SECO MASTER PLAN

September 2003

The Arroyo Seco Master Plans consist of:

Hahamongna Watershed Park Master Plan Central Arroyo Master Plan Lower Arroyo Master Plan Arroyo Seco Design Guidelines

Prepared by

TAKATA & ASSOCIATES

CITY OF PASADENA / ARROYO SECO MASTER PLANS

Central Arroyo Master Plan

CENTRAL ARROYO MASTER PLAN

Central Arroyo Master Plan Advisory Committee Omel Nieves, Chairman Dennis Crowley Greg Jones Elizabeth Pomeroy Porfirio Frausto Joe Little Tom Selinske Pat Green Dennis Murphy Pat Shanks Michael Hurley Henreen Nunley Gordon Treweek Leland Zanteson

Past Committee Members Tom Seifert, Past Chair Charles McKenny

Planning & Development Department Richard Bruckner, Director Brian League, Project Manager Joshua Hart, Associate Planner Jolene Piel, Assistant Planner

Cover Art by rhandi

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Relationship to Other Plans …………………………………………………………… 1-3

1.2 Project History ………………………………………………………………………… 1-5

2.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS

2.1 Ownership, Zoning, Easements …………………………………………………….. 2-1

2.2 Los Angeles County Flood Control Channel ………………………………………….. 2-1

2.3 Utilities ………………………………………………………………………………… 2-2

2.4 Regional and Local Access …………………………………………………………….. 2-8

2.5 Existing Local Public Transit Services ……………………………………………….. 2-11

2.6 Landscape and Natural Environment ………………………………………………….. 2-11

2.7 Rose Bowl Stadium …………………………………………………………………… 2-20

2.8 Brookside Golf Course ………………………………………………………………… 2-21

2.9 Brookside Park …………………………………………………………………………. 2-21

2.10 Recreation Loop ……………………………………………………………………….. 2-24

2.11 Recreation Trails and Pedestrian Access ……………………………………………….. 2-26

2.12 Special Events in the Central Arrroyo ………………………………………………… 2-30

2.13 Special Events Shuttle Bus Routes ……………………………………………………. 2-30

2.14 Parking ………………………………………………………………………………… 2-31

2.15 Lease Agreements …………………………………………………………………….. 2-34

2.16 Permitting Process …………………………………………………………………….. 2-37

2.17 Archeological Resources ………………………………………………………………. 2-39

3.0 ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

3.1 Community Outreach ………………………………………………………………….. 3-1

3.2 Analysis of Recreation Loop Improvements …………………………………………… 3-6

3.3 Analysis of Existing Traffic Conditions ………………………………………………. 3-10

3.4 Master Plan Concept Alternatives …………………………………………………….. 3-14

4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 Brookside Park ……….……………………………………………………………….... 4-1

4.2 Rosemont Pavilion ………….…………………………………………………………... 4-3

4.3 Recreation Loop …………….………………………………………………………….. 4-4

4.4 Recreation Trails ……………………………………………………………………….. 4-5

4.5 Landscape and Aesthetic Improvements …………….…………………………………... 4-6

4.6 Parking ………………………………………………………………….…………… 4-6

4.7 Flood Protection ………………………………………………………………………… 4-6

4.8 Permitting Process ……………………………………………………………………… 4-7

4.9 Management and Maintenance ………………………………………………….……….. 4-7

4.10 Land and Conservation Acquisition………………………………………………..…….. 4-8

4.11 Accessibility and Security………………………………………………………….…….. 4-8

4.12 Implementation ………………………………………………………………………….. 4-8

APPENDIX

A. Master Plan Concept Alternatives

SECTION 1:

INTRODUCTION

The Lower Arroyo Master Plan was adopted by the Pasadena City Council in 1995 and has currently been updated. The Arroyo Seco, a major tributary to the Los Angeles River, flows out of the San Gabriel Mountains in the northwest corner of the City of Pasadena. As its waters flow through the City, the river passes through three distinct geographical areas: Hahamongna Watershed Park (the upper Arroyo), the Central Arroyo, and the Lower Arroyo. See Exhibit 1- 1, The Arroyo Seco. The City of Pasadena is currently developing Master Plans for each area of the Arroyo Seco that lies within the City limits.

The Central Arroyo extends from the Colorado Bridge on the left, to the 210 Freeway, on the right.

The Lower Arroyo follows the Arroyo Seco from the southern boundary of the City to the Colorado Street Bridge near the 134 Ventura Freeway. The Lower Arroyo Master Plan was adopted by the Pasadena City Council in 1995 and is currently being updated.

The Hahamongna Watershed Park Master Plan was conceptually approved by the City Council in November, 1999. Hahamongna Watershed Park extends from the 210 Freeway north, past the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) bridge, to its upper watershed.

This document is the Central Arroyo Master Plan. The area covered under this Master Plan extends north from the Colorado Street Bridge to the 210 Freeway. On completion of all three master plans, a Master Environmental Impact Report (MEIR) for the entire Arroyo Seco will be undertaken.

The Central Arroyo is located in Township 1 North, Range 12 West on the Pasadena, California 7.5’ USGS quadrangle map. The Central Arroyo is generally bounded by Arroyo Boulevard and Arroyo Terrace on the east and Linda Vista Avenue on the west. The neighborhoods to the east and west are residential.

1-1

Exhibit 1-1 Arroyo Seco

Source: NorthEast Trees

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As early as 1887, the citizens of Pasadena recognized that the land surrounding the Arroyo Seco should become a park for the enjoyment and benefit of the public. The City of Pasadena accumulated the land for what is now the Central and Lower Arroyo between 1911 and 1927.

In 1918, the Arroyo Park Committee headed by architect Myron Hunt recommended that a comprehensive plan be developed by noted landscape architect Emile Mische. This plan recommended that the Lower Arroyo be reserved for trails and bridle paths and that the Central Arroyo (then known as the Upper Arroyo) be dedicated to recreation.

By 1913, the City had begun to construct a children’s playground, picnic areas, and sports fields in the Central Arroyo. In 1914, Mrs. E. W. Brook donated the funds to build the first public pool in Pasadena. The Brookside Plunge was constructed in what became known as Brookside Park in honor of Mrs. Brook. Tennis courts and a baseball field were added to the park and in 1924 the stone amphitheater was built.

In 1922, the Rose Bowl was constructed just north of Brookside Park when it became evident that the annual Tournament of Roses football game had outgrown Tournament Park at California Avenue and Wilson Avenue. Architect Myron Hunt originally designed the stadium in an open horseshoe design to seat 57,000. In 1931, the stadium was expanded to accommodate 86,000 fans. Hunt’s design, which placed the Bowl on the flood plain of the Arroyo, had the effect of minimizing its height and visual impact on the surrounding park.

The Brookside Golf Club features two 18-hole golf courses. The C. W. Koiner course was opened in 1928 and is acknowledged to be somewhat more difficult than the E.O. Nay course, which opened in 1952. Noted golf course designer Billy Bell designed both courses.

The clubhouse was originally designed by Myron Hunt and Harold Chambers. In 1928, when the Municipal Golf Course was finished, the outline of the existing facilities seen today was in place.

The major physical elements of the Central Arroyo are identified in the following Exhibit 1-2, Study Area.

1.1 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANS

The General Plan The second guiding principle of the City of Pasadena’s Comprehensive General Plan states that “change will be harmonized to preserve Pasadena’s historic character and environment.”

Pursuant to this guiding principle, Objective 9, Open Space Preservation and Acquisition, specifically identifies the Arroyo Seco for preservation. Policy 9.2 further states “continue and complete comprehensive planning for, and implementation of, plans for the Arroyo, including restoration of the natural area of the Lower Arroyo and the development of the Hahamongna Watershed Park Plan.”

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1-4

The Arroyo Seco Ordinance The Ordinance, as part of the Pasadena Municipal Code (Chapter 3, Section 32), identifies the uses, activities, facilities, and structures permitted on the public lands of the Arroyo Seco as well as their limitations. The Arroyo Seco is defined as those public lands lying within the area generally bounded by Devil’s Gate Dam on the north, Linda Vista Avenue, San Rafael Avenue, and Hillside Terrace on the west, the city limits on the south, and Arroyo Boulevard, Arroyo Terrace, Scott Place, Prospect Boulevard, and Armada Drive on the east. This area includes the Central Arroyo and the Lower Arroyo. It does not include Hahamongna Watershed Park.

The Ordinance identifies sub-areas within the Arroyo Seco for the application of certain regulations. The identified sub-areas include: Natural Preservation area, Brookside Park area, Rose Bowl area, and Brookside Golf Course. The Rose Bowl area is defined as the stadium and adjoining parking lots B, D, F, G, J and K.

The maximum number of Rose Bowl “displacement” events under the Arroyo Ordinance is 12 events on an annual basis. A displacement event is one that is projected to have more than 20,000 in attendance. On August 13, 2001, the Pasadena City Council conceptually approved the Rose Bowl Operating Company Use Plan, which permits a maximum of 25 scheduled events.

Century of Bikes, Pasadena Bicycle Master Plan The Pasadena Bicycle Master Plan was published in April 2000, and adopted in 2001, by the City to create a safe and attractive environment that will promote bicycling as a transportation mode. The Bicycle Master Plan identifies a grid of east-west and north-south streets to be made bicycle-friendly through a variety of recommended methods.

This Master Plan for the Central Arroyo Seco expands upon the recommendations contained in the General Plan and provides guidance for meeting Pasadena’s goal of becoming “bicycle friendly.”

1.2 PROJECT HISTORY

The Central Arroyo Master Plan (Master Plan) report is a product of an analysis of existing conditions; a review of pertinent documents; input from City officials, the Central Arroyo Master Plan Advisory Committee (CAMPAC) and City staff; and comments from the community through an extensive outreach program.

In November of 1999, the Recreation and Parks Commission established the Central Arroyo Master Plan Advisory Committee (CAMPAC) to oversee the Master Plan process. Members of the Advisory Committee included representatives from the Rose Bowl Operating Company, Brookside Golf Course, the Tournament of Roses Association, the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, the Pasadena Parks and Recreation Commission, neighboring homeowner associations, and two City-wide, at-large representatives.

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SECTION 2:

EXISTING CONDITIONS

2.1 OWNERSHIP, ZONING, EASEMENTS

A predominance of the land in the Central Arroyo is in public ownership. There is however, a small percentage of hillside area that is in private ownership for residential purposes; this is found primarily on the westside of the Central Arroyo. The area is zoned and given the land use designation of “Open Space” by the City of Pasadena General Plan. “Open Space” is defined by the Pasadena General Plan as follows: “This category is for a variety of active and passive public recreational facilities and for City-owned open space facilities. This includes natural open spaces and areas which have been designated as environmentally and ecologically significant. This category also applies to land which is publicly owned, though in some instances public access may be restricted. Most importantly, this designation only applies to lands owned by the City.”

The neighborhoods adjacent to the Central Arroyo are primarily zoned single-family residential in the hillside development district (RS4 HD or RS2 HD). On the southeast edge along Arroyo Terrace are small areas zoned multi-family residential (RM 16).

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (the County) has an easement for the flood control channel that bisects the park. The Metropolitan Water District has an easement that crosses the Central Arroyo parallel to Seco Street.

2.2 LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL CHANNEL

The Devil’s Gate Dam controls the drainage from the upper Arroyo Seco watershed and Hahamongna Watershed Park into the flood control channel of the Central Arroyo. The waters released from Devil’s Gate Dam initially flow through the existing natural streambed just below the dam, and then through an open trapezoidal concrete channel extending from the golf course to north of Seco Street. South of Seco Street the water is carried by an open rectangular concrete channel, extending 750 feet south to the natural drainage channel under the Holly Street Bridge, the Colorado Street Bridge, and into the Lower Arroyo.

The County flood-control channel bisects the Central Arroyo, blocking functional access throughout the park. The present configuration of the channel with its chain-link fencing is unaesthetic as well as below capacity for major storm events.

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Interest in restoring the natural Arroyo Seco streamcourse has been expressed by individual community members and certain organizations. A feasibility study has been conducted by the Arroyo Seco Foundation and North East Trees to identify opportunities for stream restoration in the Arroyo Seco. The County has indicated a desire to study possible solutions to increase the flood control capacity of the channel. Improvement strategies identified include the following options:

1. A partial or completely covered channel

2. A covered channel with low-flow stream at feasible locations

3. A naturalized stream course at feasible locations

4. An improved open concrete channel

All of these options will continue to be aggressively pursued with the County and the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers and considered in any future feasibility studies undertaken by these agencies.

2.3 UTILITIES

Water Mains To service the many recreation facilities in the Central Arroyo, a network of water mains covers most of the flat terrain. See following Exhibit 2-1, Water Lines.

Storm Drains The Arroyo Seco is the primary drainage channel for western Pasadena. A number of storm drains serving the residential streets connect directly into the flood control channel. The roadways and parking lots within the Central Arroyo also drain directly into the channel. See Exhibit 2-2, Storm Drains. Community comment indicated that trash removal from the storm drains is an issue.

The storm drain inlet at the golf course (along Rosemont) is currently undersized for the amount of runoff from the surrounding slopes. Flooding associated with this drain primarily impacts the golf course. No funding is currently available for this project.

The two main storm drains in the vicinity of the Rose Bowl have recently been modernized.

However, the remainder of the Rose Bowl drainage system does not meet current needs.

Most catch basins have restricted inlets, have ruptured, or are rotted. Many of the corrugated metal pipes around the Rose Bowl have collapsed and City engineers cannot confirm the location of many older lines. The Rose Bowl Operating Company (RBOC) is currently working to remedy these conditions.

North of Washington Street and west of the flood channel, there are sections of 42″ pipe that extend partially down the slope, emptying into the channel. The City maintains some of these old storm drains that empty into the channel from the Linda Vista Area.

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Cent

/ ARROYO SECO MASTER PLANS

ral Arroyo Master Plan

2-3

There are some storm drains that are not owned by the City along both sides of the Arroyo Seco that were built before the flood control channel; they are not directly connected to the channel and continue to drain into the canyon. There are also a number of County-maintained as well as private, storm drains. The City would like to take over the private drains and have control of their maintenance, but lacks the funding. Brookside Park has a number of collapsed storm drains in several of the picnic areas behind the Aquatic Center that obviously need reconstruction, as indicated by sink holes that are created during storms.

Exhibit 2-1 Existing Conditions/Water Lines

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2-5

Exhibit 2-2 Existing Conditions/Storms Drains

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Sewer Lines Sewer lines primarily serve the southeastern section of the Central Arroyo where most of the structures have been located. See Exhibit 2-3, Sewer lines. There are no known sewer lines in the golf course other than the line that services the Clubhouse. Between the pump station on Rosemont, just north of Washington and the Clubhouse, there is no existing sewer line. All sewers lead to the County outfall in South Pasadena.

The Rosemont pump station is obsolete and could be removed. It currently services about 40 homes. The City Engineer recommends the installation of a gravity-fed sewer line connecting south to the Brookside Clubhouse.

Any proposals requiring service on the west side of the golf course will require temporary chemical toilets or a pump station upslope to the Linda Vista line. This line is currently being repaired and planned to be turned over to Los Angeles County Sanitation District. No septic systems have been built in the City in recent history. Septic systems are generally discouraged, unless sewer service is not available.

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Exhibit 2-3 Existing Conditions/Sewer Lines

2.4 REGIONAL AND LOCAL ACCESS

Regional access to and from the Central Arroyo is provided by the I-210 Foothill Freeway to the north and the SR 134 Ventura Freeway to the south. Access from the I-210 is provided via a full diamond interchange at Seco Street/West Mountain Street, the freeway ramps at Lincoln Avenue, a full diamond interchange at North Arroyo Boulevard/Windsor Avenue, and freeway ramps at Berkshire Place. Access via SR 134 is provided via a diamond interchange at San Rafael Avenue, and freeway ramps at Holly Street/Orange Grove Boulevard and Colorado Avenue/Orange Grove Boulevard. Additional regional access is provided via the Glendale Freeway (SR 2) located west of the Central Arroyo.

For special Rose Bowl events, temporary changeable message signs are provided by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) along the 134 and 210 freeways.

It should be noted that additional regional access will be provided in the vicinity of the Central Arroyo with the construction of the Pasadena Gold Line light-rail project. The Blue line, combined with the existing shuttle system, will provide additional opportunities to reduce car trips in the Central Arroyo at major Rose Bowl events. Stations are planned at Del Mar Boulevard and Holly Street. The Del Mar station will have approximately 600 parking spaces, which might be available for offsite parking during events. An additional 1,000 parking spaces are available at Sierra Madre Villa Avenue. It is anticipated that this additional parking can serve event parking demands as well.

Local access to the Central Arroyo is provided by Rosemont Avenue, West Washington Drive, Rose Bowl Drive, Seco Street, Arroyo Boulevard, Salvia Canyon Road, and Parkview Avenue. Each of these important local roads is briefly described below.

Existing permanent signs are provided to guide motorists into and away from the Rose Bowl at key locations in the vicinity. It should be noted that these roads provide continuous access to and through the Central Arroyo. Other than a sharply descending roadway and the open vistas of the flat bottom land there is no indication of arrival into the Central Arroyo.

Rosemont Avenue is a two-lane, north-south roadway that parallels the eastern edge of the Central Arroyo. It extends from Arroyo Boulevard on the north to Orange Grove Boulevard on the south. During special events, between Seco Street and Orange Grove Boulevard, it is converted to two lanes inbound during the event arrival period and two lanes outbound during the event departure period. Between Orange Grove Boulevard and Seco Street, Rosemont Avenue is posted with a 25 miles per hour (mph) speed limit; north of Seco Street it is posted with a 35 mph speed limit. Near the Brookside Golf Course, two-hour parallel parking is provided on the eastside.

West Drive is a two-lane, north-south road that borders the western edge of the Rose Bowl and Brookside Golf Course. During special events an additional inbound and outbound lane is provided with the use of traffic control cones. West Drive is posted with a 40 mph speed limit. Parking is permitted on the shoulder of the west side of the street, opposite the Golf Course.

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West Washington Drive crosses the Central Arroyo at the north end, providing one travel lane in each direction between Rosemont Avenue and West Drive. East of Rosemont Avenue, West Washington Drive connects to Arroyo Boulevard with two lanes westbound and one lane eastbound. West Washington Drive is posted with a 35 mph speed limit. No parking is permitted.

Seco Street provides direct access to and from the Central Arroyo and generally provides two through-travel lanes in each direction. Between West Drive and Rosemont, Seco is posted with a 35 mph speed limit; no parking is permitted. East of Rosemont to Lincoln Avenue, the speed limit is 25 mph and parking is permitted on the south side of the street.

Salvia Canyon Road provides access to the Central Arroyo from Linda Vista Avenue via two lanes of traffic, one in each direction. During special events, an additional inbound and outbound lane is provided with the use of traffic control cones. There is a posted 35 mph speed limit and no parking is permitted.

Parkview Avenue provides access to the Central Arroyo primarily from Lida Street.

Parkview Avenue provides one through-travel lane in each direction. During special events, it is barricaded off during the arrival period, and opened to outbound traffic only.

Linda Vista Avenue is a north-south roadway through the residential neighborhood to the west of the Central Arroyo. Typically the roadway has two travel lanes, one in each direction. Near Seco Street the roadway provides two travel lanes in each direction. Linda Vista is posted with a 35 mph speed limit. Parking is permitted north of Seco Street. During displacement events, all residential streets along Linda Vista Avenue are barricaded and manned to eliminate neighborhood parking intrusions.

Orange Grove Boulevard is designated as a principal mobility corridor east of the Central Arroyo, between Lincoln Avenue and Rosemead Boulevard per the City of Pasadena’s General Plan. Two through-travel lanes are provided from the 134 Freeway to the 210 Freeway. Orange Grove Boulevard is posted with a 35 mph speed limit; no parking is permitted.

Arroyo Boulevard is a two-lane major access roadway on the eastside. The speed limit is posted at 25 mph and there is no parking allowed.

Rose Bowl Drive provides access through the Rose Bowl Parking Lots from Rosemont Avenue to South Arroyo Boulevard. The speed limit is posted at 25 mph and no parking is permitted.

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Exhibit 2-4, Major roadways in the Central Arroyo vicinity

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2.5 EXISTING LOCAL PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICES

The Central Arroyo is served directly by a bus line operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and indirectly by the Pasadena Area Rapid Transit Service (ARTS).

MTA Line 177 is the only transit route that passes through the Central Arroyo. The MTA 177 provides service to and from downtown Glendale via Glendale College, through Montrose, La Canada-Flintridge, Pasadena, and to the City of Hope in Duarte. The line follows Linda Vista Avenue, Seco Street, Lincoln Avenue, and Orange Grove Boulevard in the vicinity of the Central Arroyo. Approximately seven bus routes have transfer opportunities to MTA 177.

ARTS Route 20 operates on the east side of the Central Arroyo along Fair Oaks Avenue between Orange Grove Boulevard and Woodbury Road.

ARTS Route 31/32 operates on the east side of the Central Arroyo southbound along Fair Oaks Avenue between Woodbury Road and Washington Boulevard; it operates westbound on Washington Boulevard between Fair Oaks Avenue and Lincoln Avenue, and northbound on Lincoln Avenue to Woodbury Road.

ARTS Route 50 operates on both the east and west side of the Central Arroyo. On the eastside, Route 50 operates on Mountain Street between Fair Oaks Avenue and Seco Street.

The route operates on Seco Street through the Rose Bowl area to Linda Vista Avenue, between Seco Street and as far north as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

2.6 LANDSCAPE AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

The Central Arroyo has traditionally been the premier regional recreation area for the City of Pasadena and the most developed section of the Arroyo Seco. In contrast to the more natural settings of the Lower Arroyo and Hahamongna Watershed Park, the Central Arroyo has always accommodated the broad turf areas necessary for active recreation and landscaping that has year-round appeal and lushness.

The prominence of the landscape is in part due to the siting of the Rose Bowl on the canyon floor, de-emphasizing its height and mass. The wooded slopes rather than the stadium are still the most distinctive feature of the Central Arroyo, creating a world apart from the City’s urban environment.

At either end, as the Central Arroyo narrows, the park landscape transitions to a natural setting. The surrounding hillsides look onto the two view corridors in the Central Arroyo.

The view corridor to the north includes views to the Rose Bowl stadium, Brookside Golf Course, and the San Gabriel Mountains. The southern view corridor includes views to the Lower Arroyo, Colorado Street Bridge, and the Holly Street Bridge.

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The plant communities, vegetation, and wildlife of the Central Arroyo probably would not exist in their current array without human influence. The altered and unnatural environmental conditions currently found there are due mainly to three factors. These are: (1) The presence of Devil’s Gate Dam; (2) the development of infrastructure for public works and recreation;

and (3) the earlier agricultural and landscaping practices that over time have significantly changed the appearance and composition of the Central Arroyo and nearby areas from that once familiar to the Native American Gabrielinos.

Field inventory surveys of biological resources in Central Arroyo were conducted over an area extending from the 210 Freeway just south of the Devil’s Gate Dam to the Colorado Street Bridge. The inventories also included the identification of existing terrestrial natural plant communities and landscaped and ruderal vegetation in the park. Additionally, field surveys were conducted in the park to determine the status of any potentially occurring wetlands and other waters of the United States that may fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and/or the California Department of Fish and Game

(CDFG).

A total of 278 plant species and 89 animal species were observed during the inventory surveys. For an urban park these numbers demonstrate a relatively high biodiversity. See Biological Report1 in the Technical Appendices of this Master Plan for an inventory of existing plants and animals observed. Five terrestrial natural plant communities were recorded and mapped in the park. These included coast live oak woodland, southern willow scrub, mule fat scrub, sage scrub, and southern sycamore riparian woodland. Several categories of vegetation, which do not fit the usual definitions as terrestrial natural communities were also recorded and mapped. These categories included ruderal and landscaped vegetation. Other features that were mapped included developed areas that are composed of infrastructure features such as roads, buildings, parking lots, or the concrete storm channel that were not vegetated. See Exhibit 2-5, Terrestrial Natural Plant Communities.

Plant Communities

In the survey areas, 75% of the park, or 409 acres out of a total 545 acres, is developed or consists of landscape vegetation. Approximately 136 acres consist of a mixture of the five native terrestrial natural plant communities: (1) Coast live oak woodland; (2) Sage scrub; (3) Mule fat scrub; (4) Southern willow scrub; and (5) California sycamore woodland as defined by Holland (1986)2 and Sawyer and Keeler-Woolf (1995).3 These communities are restricted to the slopes of the Central Arroyo and the areas directly below Devil’s Gate Dam

1 Biological Technical Report: Inventory Surveys of Biological Resources at Central Arroyo Seco Park.

Prepared by Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. July 2001.

2 Holland, R.F., 1986. Preliminary descriptions of the Terrestrial Natural Communities of California. Nongame Heritage Program. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California.

3 Sawyer, J.O. and T. Keeler-Woolf, 1995. A Manual of California Vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, California.

2-12 and at the southern portion of the Central Arroyo near the Colorado Street Bridge where the flood channel was not constructed.

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Exhibit 2-5 Terrestrial Natural Plant Communities

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Coast Live Oak Woodland

Coast live oak woodland is typically located on north-facing slopes and shaded ravines in southern California. In the Central Arroyo Seco, it occurs in discontinuous areas on side slopes along the west and east boundaries of the park. There it intergrades with sage scrub, southern sycamore riparian woodland, southern willow scrub, and ruderal vegetation. There are still certain areas where a remnant example of coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia var.

agrifolia) is co-dominant with toyon or christmas berry (Heteromeles arbutifolia), and/or with southern California black walnut (Juglans californica var. californica). Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf (1995) refer to coast live oak woodland as coast live oak series.

Generally, coast live oak woodlands inhabit upland areas on slopes that are often very steep, or on raised stream banks and terraces. Soils are well drained, and are often sandstone or shale-derived but may also be granitic in composition. Coast live oak may be the sole or dominant tree in the canopy. These oaks reach heights as great as 100 feet (30 meters), and the canopy may be continuous, intermittent, or open. Shrubs are occasional or sometimes common in the understory and the ground surface layer is grassy or absent.

Commonly associated shrub understory species in this plant community include black sage (Salvia mellifera), California blackberry (Rubus ursinus), California bay or laurel (Umbellularia californica), California redberry (Rhamnus californica), California sagebrush (Artemisia californica), chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), laurel sumac (Malosma laurina), western poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), scrub oak (Quercus berberidifolia), toyon, Mexican elderberry (Sambucus mexicana), bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), box elder (A. negundo), hairy ceanothus (Ceanothus oliganthus), Engelmann oak (Quercus engelmannii), bush monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), and various currant or gooseberry species (Ribes spp.). The herbaceous layer component is often continuous and dominated by ripgut (Bromus diandrus) and other introduced species such as common chickweed (Stellaria media).

Coast live oak woodland habitat is not considered sensitive by the State of California. Forest habitats, in contrast, connote a greater density of trees than to woodlands. Trees growing close enough that their canopies often touch and that collectively cover more than 60 percent of the ground characterize forest habitat. Woodland canopies cover 30 to 60 percent of the ground. Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf (1995) note that coast live oak is not listed on the national inventory of wetland plants by Reed (1988). Coast live oak woodland is valuable habitat that supports a wide variety of wildlife species.

Southern Willow Scrub

Southern willow scrub dominates the southern reaches of the park near the 134 Freeway and the Colorado Street Bridge where the riparian corridor of the Arroyo Seco drainage regains a more natural appearance south of the terminus of the concrete storm water channel. At this area of the Central Arroyo, it merges with sage scrub, ruderal vegetation, coast live oak

2-15 woodland, and the landscaped vegetation of the adjacent residents. The southern willow scrub in the southern part of the Central Arroyo is also widely mixed with other introduced and naturalized tree species, such as eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.), date and fan palms (Phoenix canariensis and Washingtonia robusta), and pines (Pinus spp.) among others.

Southern willow scrub is an early seral or successional type that requires repeated flooding to prevent succession to southern cottonwood-sycamore riparian forest. This plant community is comprised of dense, broad-leaved, winter-deciduous riparian thickets dominated by several willow species including arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis), black willow (S. gooddingii), red willow (S. larvigata), shining willow (S. lucida ssp. lasiandra), and narrow-leaved willow (S. exigua). This riparian scrub community occupies sites with loose sandy or fine gravelly alluvium deposited along intermittent or perennial stream channels during flood flows.

Habitats within this community are usually seasonally flooded and the soils saturated.

Southern willow scrub typically occupies sites on flood plains, or in low gradient depositions along streams. Shrubs and trees in this community may reach between 33 to 100 feet in height, and the canopy may be continuous. Most stands often are so dense that the understory vegetation layer of grasses and forbs may vary from sparse to abundant. Also associated with this riparian scrub community are scattered emergent species of Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii ssp. Fremontii)), black cottonwood (P. balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa ), and western sycamore (Platanus racemosa). Other commonly associated species include mule fat (Baccharis salicifolia), coyote brush (B. pilularis), mugwort (Artemesia douglasiana), Mexican elderberry, and bigleaf maple.

The Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) definition and classification of wetlands employs hydric soils, saturation or inundation, and vegetation criteria and requires the presence of all three criteria in order to classify an area as a wetland.

Southern willow scrub is one of three natural plant communities within the Central Arroyo that are composed of vegetation that typify riparian habitats, some of which include wetland indicator species that may also be found in wetland habitats. Wetlands and riparian habitats are on the decline around the nation and are considered sensitive vegetation types that warrant considerable regulatory agency oversight regarding their development. Southern willow scrub in the Central Arroyo is comprised of well-established, native wetland habitats that are important for wildlife. This plant community is worthy of applied conservation efforts.

Mule Fat Scrub

Mule fat scrub occurs in restricted areas along the riparian stream corridor of the Arroyo Seco drainage, just south of the southern sycamore riparian woodland at the north end of the Central Arroyo and just north of the concrete storm water channel. The plant community is quite small and is bordered by landscaped vegetation, southern sycamore riparian woodland and coast live oak woodland. Mule fat scrub is an early seral community that is maintained by frequent flooding. When such flooding conditions are absent, mule fat scrub stands would succeed to cottonwood or sycamore-dominated riparian forests or woodland. Periodic releases of accumulated rainwater runoff collected behind Devil’s Gate Dam may help to

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Mule fat scrub is typically characterized by tall, herbaceous riparian scrub species dominated by Baccharis salicifolia. Mule fat is usually the sole or dominant shrub in the canopy, along with narrow-leaved willow, and the plants may attain heights of 13 feet. The canopy often is continuous and the ground layer of vegetation is sparse. This terrestrial natural community is located along intermittent stream channels with fairly coarse substrate and moderate depth to the water table. Habitats within this community are also seasonally flooded and the ground is saturated. Other commonly associated species in mule fat scrub include arroyo willow, narrow-leaved willow, hoary nettle (Urtica dioica ssp. holosericea), Mexican elderberry, and sedges (Carex spp.).

Sage Scrub

Sage scrub is found on slopes and sidewalls of the Arroyo Seco drainage. It also blends as indistinct borders with coast live oak woodland and ruderal/landscaped vegetation in developed areas of the Central Arroyo. Sage scrub is a mixture of fire-adapted, sclerophyllous (hard-leaved), woody chaparral species, and drought-deciduous sage scrub species. This plant community appears to be post-fire successional and is found on dry, rocky, often steep, south-facing slopes and ridges with shallow or poorly differentiated soils.

Often these soils are derived from rock detritus and soil accumulated at the foot of a slope.

This plant community may also be located on clay-rich soils that are slow to release stored water and that favor the proliferation of California sagebrush over chamise.

Generally, shrubs in coastal sage-chaparral scrub are no more than six to ten feet in height, although in some areas with associated emergent shrub or tree species, the plants may attain heights up to13 feet (four meters). The canopy is continuous or intermittent, and the ground layer is sparse or absent. Understory cover of forbs and grasses is often variable depending upon the fire history of a particular site. Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf (1995) believe that coastal sage-chaparral scrub is a mixed combination of California sagebrush-California buckwheat series, California sagebrush-black sage series, chamise-black sage series, and sumac series.

Dominant species in this terrestrial natural community include California sagebrush, chamise, California buckwheat, black sage, white sage, laurel sumac, lemonadeberry, sugar bush, deerweed, chaparral yucca, bush monkeyflower, hoaryleaf ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius), other ceanothus or California-lilac species (Ceanothus spp.), scrub oak, birch-leaf mountain-mahogany, poison oak, holly-leaf cherry (Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia), southern California walnut, California encelia, Mexican elderberry, toyon, Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Peruvian pepper (S. molle).

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Southern Sycamore Riparian Woodland

Southern sycamore riparian woodland is very limited in its distribution within the Central Arroyo boundaries. Currently, it is found bordering the natural stream channel just south of Devil’s Gate Dam and the 210 Freeway before the start of the flood control channel. Here, surface flows of water that run past the dam help sustain the hydrologic regime needed by western sycamore trees. Holland’s (1986) vegetation classification system has no “southern sycamore riparian woodland,” but this report utilizes the descriptions given to southern sycamore-alder riparian woodland. Western sycamore is frequently utilized as a landscape tree on properties in surrounding residential and other urban areas.

Southern sycamore-alder riparian woodland is a tall [<115 feet (35 meters)], open, broad-leaved, winter-deciduous woodland dominated by western sycamore (Platanus racemosa), and by white alder (Alnus rhombifolia) (Holland, 1986) where more perennial water flows exist. These riparian tree stands rarely form closed canopy forests, and often exist as trees scattered in shrubby thickets of sclerophyllous (hard-leaved) and deciduous species. Species of vines and brambles such as western poison oak, California blackberry, and Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor) may tend to dominate the understory layer. Other commonly associated species often include arroyo willow, black willow, red willow, California bay, coast live oak, Fremont cottonwood, mule fat, Mexican elderberry, ashes (Fraxinus spp.) big-leaf maple, mugwort, hoary nettle, wild oats (Avena spp.), brome grasses (Bromus spp.), and smilo grass (Piptatherum miliaceum).

Factors that favor the formation of sycamore-alder riparian woodlands include very rocky streambeds that are subject to seasonal high-intensity flooding such as occurs in the Arroyo Seco. White alder increases in abundance on more perennial streams, while western sycamore prefers more ephemeral or intermittent stream conditions. The Arroyo Seco is typically an ephemeral stream rather than a perennial stream, hence the given Spanish name “arroyo seco” meaning “dry wash.” Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf (1995) refer to southern sycamore-alder riparian woodland as two different series, i.e., white alder series and California sycamore series. White alder series inhabit soils that are intermittently flooded and saturated with fresh water, while California sycamore series prefer soils that are permanently saturated at depth.

The California (western) sycamore series is found in both wetland and upland site conditions.

Sycamores occur as the sole or dominant species in the canopy as widely spaced trees. In wetlands, this series inhabits soils that are permanently saturated at depth with fresh water..

This tree species occupies riparian corridors; braided, depositional channels of intermittent streams; gullies; springs; seeps; stream and river banks; and terraces adjacent to floodplains that are subject to high-intensity flooding. Sycamores prefer substrates that are usually composed of alluvial soils, with open cobbly and rocky conditions. On upland sites, sycamores are located on slopes that are commonly rocky. Reed (1988), in his national list of wetland species, places this sycamore as a facultative wetland indicator (FACW) species, i.e., a species that has a 67-99 percent chance of occurring in wetland conditions.

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The State considers southern sycamore-alder woodland to be a sensitive habitat (CNDDB, 1999a and f).4

Landscaped Vegetation

Landscaped vegetation is largely composed of cultivated ornamental, horticultural plants that may be introduced or native tree, shrub, forb, and grass species. Landscaped vegetation plant species are usually aesthetically appealing and are moderately to extremely dependent on humans for water, minerals and nutrients (from fertilizers and soil amendments), pruning and maintenance, pest and pathogen control, and for their establishment in an environmental setting. That setting often is urban infrastructure, such as buildings, roads, parking areas, walls, developed parkland, man-made lakes, and ponds.

Many of the plant species that comprise landscaped vegetation are drought-tolerant xerophytes that require little or no irrigation for their survival. Occasionally, landscaped plants establish themselves outside of their intended setting and become established in the wild. Landscaped plants can become naturalized by virtue of adaptive dispersal mechanisms and strategies of their fruits, seeds, root systems, vegetative reproduction from plant parts, and animal transport. Ruderal, weedy plants are often annuals or biennials and, therefore, reproduce rapidly and successfully in places and conditions that other native or introduced perennial plants cannot.

In the Central Arroyo, the soil types and textures on the various survey sites of landscaped vegetation are characterized as urban land that historically consisted of native alluvial soils comprised of dry, dense, silty and occasionally gravelly sand, rocks and boulders. Several feet of introduced fill material of unknown origin and varying composition may cover the site. The Central Arroyo was once used as a dumping ground.

This vegetation category was not surveyed to the extent and depth as other native, natural terrestrial plant communities during the recent inventory surveys of biological resources.

However, this unnatural plant community type was mapped on the natural terrestrial plant community map. The numbers and types of landscaped vegetation are too numerous and diverse to include in the scope of work for this project. Common landscape plants observed in the Park included species of eucalyptus, pine, oak, acacia, western sycamore, fig, olive, pittosporum, cherry, pepper tree, maple, liquidambar, ash, juniper, cypress, pyracantha, walnut, hibiscus, oleander, privet, redwood, elm, palm, coral tree, periwinkle, lantana, ivy, plumbago, poplar, tree of heaven, agave, and many others.

4 CNDDB (California Natural Diversity Data Base), 1999. List of California Terrestrial Natural Communities Recognized by the Natural Diversity Data Base. California Department of Fish and Game, Natural Heritage Division, NDDB, Sacramento, California, February 1999.

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The Landscaped Setting

Today, the asphalt parking areas that surround the Rose Bowl are striking when seen in an aerial view or from above along the canyon edge. Many of the trees that were preserved when the parking lots were constructed have since died and have not been replaced. There are no landscaped islands to break up the expanse of asphalt due, in part, to the need for flexibility in staging special events.

The storm water runoff from these impervious surfaces flows directly into the flood channel without treatment. Green swales that retain or slow runoff to meet water quality standards could be incorporated into the perimeters of the parking areas.

Funding to maintain the park areas of the Central Arroyo has been reduced while use of the facilities has grown. User groups and the community have expressed their desire for improved maintenance within the Central Arroyo.

2.7 ROSE BOWL STADIUM

The 93,000-seat Rose Bowl Stadium, the largest structure in the Arroyo Seco, has hosted the Rose Bowl football game for 75 years. The original horseshoe structure was finished in 1923 and has undergone remodeling several times to increase the seating capacity. The Rose Bowl is managed by the Rose Bowl Operating Company (RBOC) as a California nonprofit corporation for the benefit of the public.

A double-lane road with a rose garden in the median serves as an entry to the stadium. The entry is known as the Court of Champions and serves as both the main public entry and the primary service entrance for the Rose Bowl.

New Year’s festivities at the Rose Bowl.

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2.8 BROOKSIDE GOLF COURSE

The Golf Course opened in 1928, shortly after the construction of the Rose Bowl. The 36-hole course is leased and managed by the American Golf Corporation, which currently manages over 300 private, resort, and daily-fee golf courses in the United States and Great Britain. The facility includes a clubhouse with banquet hall, restaurant, snack bar, lockers, and pro shop, all located on Rosemont Avenue.

Teeing off near the Clubhouse at the Brookside Golf Course, the wooded hillsides of the Central Arroyo in the background.

2.9 BROOKSIDE PARK

Brookside Park currently features a number of active recreation facilities including the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, Jackie Robinson Baseball Stadium, two softball fields, and five tennis courts. An unused horseshoe pit and a few remaining pieces of a large, heavy-timber play structure are left over from earlier park developments. The park also features the Fannie Morrison Center (soon to be the new home of the Kidspace Children’s Museum), the Rosemont Pavilion, group picnic facilities, and other park-related elements. There are four restrooms and a storage structure. General parking is available in Parking Area I.

Rose Bowl Aquatics Center

The Rose Bowl Aquatic Center’s (RBAC) mission is to provide state-of-the-art aquatic opportunities to all regardless of ability to pay. Two Olympic-standard pools are available for recreation and competitive swimming. Future plans include the construction of a heated therapy and teaching pool and an exercise/weight room.

Programs and scholarship opportunities are available to young and old, the fit and disabled, the recreational swimmer, and the Olympic competitor. The pools are open year-round with programs continuously offered through the Pasadena Unified School District and the H2O Summer Fun Day Camp.

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Jackie Robinson Baseball Stadium

Jackie Robinson Baseball Stadium is used by various organizations and schools, and, in recent history, was leased by the Galaxy Soccer Team for practice. Over the course of the pre-New Year’s celebration, large gatherings including the PAC 10 breakfast and corporate parties are held on the grounds.

Softball Fields

Two lighted softball fields are located adjacent to the east side of parking area I; they are available to the public by reservation. These fields are used for overflow parking during large events at the Rose Bowl.

Tennis Courts

Five asphalt-paved tennis courts are located adjacent to the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.

These courts are available to the public by reservation.

Fannie Morrison Building

The Fannie Morrison Building is a collection of three historic, barn-like structures surrounding a central courtyard. Kidspace, an interactive children’s museum, has acquired a lease for the site and has plans to construct an 18,000 sq. ft. addition to the original 1930’s structure. The new wing will house the permanent exhibitions and a 300-seat theater.

Rosemont Pavilion

The Rosemont Pavilion is a 33,750 sq. ft. structure on a two-acre site leased to the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association (PTRA). The Pavilion is used for float construction from July to January. During the Rose Bowl festivities, the Rosemont Pavilion is used for float finishing and display as part of the PTRA’s Fan Fest.

The PTRA has used this facility for many years; its current lease expires December 31, 2017.

The PTRA has additional float-building facilities at the Rose Palace on Raymond Street and in Azusa and Duarte.

Group Picnic Facilities

Six group picnic facilities are located throughout the passive green area of the park. Most areas are defined by large clusters of picnic tables chained together. Only one is a formalized gathering area with built-in stone barbecues. These facilities are available to the public by reservation.

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Group Picnic Area with stone barbecue and restroom in background

Other Park-Related Elements

Other park-related elements remain but are in…