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Friday, October 20, 2006

Students' plans would enhance Santa Ana River area
Anaheim, already at work on sprucing up the Santa Ana River area, praises extension students' visions.

By SARAH TULLY
The Orange County Register

A shopping and dining promenade could line a strip by the Honda Center. Paddle boats and kayaks could launch from docks on an expanded urban lake. Nature trails could wind around water basins.

These lofty ideas and others for the Santa Ana River came from UCLA Extension students, who developed a plan for a class project and presented it at an Anaheim City Council workshop this week. The council has no funding for the projects and is unsure which proposals are even feasible, but members lauded the grand vision for the river in Anaheim, which means "home by the Santa Ana River" in German.

"What this plan does is embrace the river (in a city) that has a great potential for being a riverfront city," instructor Kathleen Bullard said.

As part of Mayor Curt Pringle's long-term goal to revitalize the river, more than 100 landscape architecture students were assigned to think big at an April brainstorming gathering. Eleven students then came up with beautification plans for a nine-mile stretch of the river, which is usually dry.

Students didn't worry too much about zoning, funding, existing leases or the political turmoil of uprooting businesses.

Council members said they will decide later which ideas to tackle. The city already has a master plan for a park at the Burris Pit, a set of basins for storm runoff by the river. Bids are expected to go out by June.

"It's so gratifying to see a plan and really such ingenious ideas," Councilman Bob Hernandez said.

Some users of the river trail said they would enjoy improvements.

Corona resident Jeff Jensen, 28, jogs about three times a week with co-workers from the jail. He would like to see city officials address problems with homeless people, who he says harass runners and cyclists.

"If you beautify this out here, you would have people run through here more often," Jensen said as he took a lunchtime break behind Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

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FOUR RIVER AREAS

The students came up with design concepts for four areas on the Santa Ana River. They focused on recreation, environmental improvements and economic development. Here are a few ideas for each area:

Angel Stadium of Anaheim area
• Big A Park: Park with Little League field on 10 percent of stadium parking lot.
• ARTIC: Rounded plaza at the planned transportation hub.
• Honda Center: Promenade with lofts, restaurants, shops and a gym by the arena.

Burris Basin recharge and nature area
• The Point Nature Center: Place to learn about water use and wildlife.
• Rio Vista Overlook: Observation deck over the water.
• Burris Landing: Entry point with paddle boats, concessions and trail loops.

Frontera Street area
• Linear Park:Trails, picnic tables, concessions, and bicycle and surrey rentals.
• Resort and spa:Facility with pocket park and river lookout.
• Retail:Shops, restaurants, amphitheater and miniature golf course.

Lake Anaheim area
• Shoreline Promenade:Three-mile loop with cafes, art galleries and amphitheater.
• Boating:Marina with pier for nonmotorized boats.
• Swimming hole:Separate area with a natural treatment system.

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RIVER VISION PLAN

In August, Santa Ana accepted a plan for a six-mile stretch of the Santa Ana River.

A task force made up of community members and park experts spent 10 months drafting the plan for 10 sites along the riverbed. The city has applied for seven grants to fund development of the sites.

Some proposals in the plan:
• Spurgeon Park site:A 19.3-acre parcel next to Spurgeon Middle School could be used as a passive park with an interpretation center about the river.

• Pacific Electric site:A narrow parcel near Willowick Golf Course and Fairview Street that belongs to the Orange County Transportation Authority. One idea calls for turning the Pacific Electric railroad bridge into a pedestrian bridge.

• Centennial Park site:A 65-acre parcel owned by the city could be revamped to include concession facilities and bicycle rentals.

To read more about Santa Ana's plan, go to www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/parks /River_Vision_Plan.asp