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  Lower Arroyo Master Plan  
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The 150-acre Lower Arroyo Seco is designated as open space and a cultural landmark.  This natural park contains a fly casting pond and clubhouse, an archery range, a system of rubble walls that retain the slopes as well as define paths, multi-use trails, the La Casita del Arroyo community center, the Memorial Grove and several promontory outlook points, such as the Bird Sanctuary.  The canyon walls support primarily native and naturalized plant species which serve as habitat for a variety of bird, insect, and small mammal species.  The concrete flood control channel runs through the entire length of the Lower Arroyo Seco, dividing the easterly half of this canyon from its westerly half.  Approximately 26 acres within a one-mile stretch of the Lower Arroyo Seco were recently restored with naturalized streambeds and native vegetation.  The area is currently characterized by active and passive recreation uses.

Download Entire Document - LOWER ARROYO MASTER PLAN
(approx 140 MB)

Download Map - LOWER ARROYO MASTER SITE PLAN
 
Table Of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1-1
  1.1 OVERVIEW 1-1
  1.2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE LOWER ARROYO 1-4
  1.3 PROJECT HISTORY 1-5
  1.4 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANS 1-9
  1.5 THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE ARROYO SECO 1-12
  1.6 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE LOWER ARROYO MASTER PLAN 1-12
 
2.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS 2-1
  2.1 OWNERSHIP, ZONING, EASEMENTS 2-1
  2.2 FLOOD CONTROL CHANNEL / WATER RESOURCES 2-3
  2.3 UTILITIES 2-4
  2.4 ACCESS, PARKING, AND TRAILS 2-12
  2.5 THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 2-15
  2.6 RECREATION 2-23
  2.7 SECURITY 2-28
  2.8 MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE 2-28
 
  3.0 ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS 3-1
  3.1 LOWER ARROYO ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY PREVIOUS PLANS 3-1
  3.2 LOWER ARROYO ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY UPDATE PROCESS 3-3
   
3.2.1 Flood Management and Water Resources
3-3
   
3.2.2 Restoration of Plant and Wildlife Habitats
3-5
   
3.2.3 Recreation
3-7
   
3.2.4 Landscape and Aesthetic Improvements
3-13
   
3.2.5 Circulation and Parking
3-14
   
3.2.6 Security and Accessibility
3-15
   
3.2.7 Land and Conservation Acquisition
3-16
   
3.2.8 Management and Maintenance
3-16
   
3.2.9 Implementation
3-17
 
  4.0 LOWER ARROYO MASTER PLAN 4-1
  4.1 PRIMARY ENTRANCES 4-4
  4.2 EAST-SIDE RIM IMPROVEMENTS 4-6
  4.3 CENTRAL USE AREA 4-7
  4.4 TRAILS AND RELATED IMPROVEMENTS 4-9
  4.5 MEMORIAL GROVE RESTORATION 4-13
  4.6 RESTORE BANKS OF THE LOWER ARROYO SECO 4-14
  4.7 RESTORATION OF ANNANDALE CREEK/LAGUNA CANYON 4-14
 
  APPENDIX A: BACKGROUND DOCUMENTATION FOR PROJECT HISTORY
  A.1 GOALS FROM THE DRAFT MASTER PLAN FOR THE LOWER ARROYO SECO, APRIL 1996
  A.2 AGENDA REPORT, PASADENA CITY COUNCIL, FEBRUARY 3, 1997
  A.3 EXERPT FROM THE MINUTES, PASADENA CITY COUNCIL, FEBRUARY 10, 1997
 
  APPENDIX B: INVENTORY SURVEYS OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES AT LOWER ARROYO SECO PARK
  B.1 VASCULAR PLANTS OBSERVED AT LOWER ARROYO SECO PARK
  B.2 TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATE ANIMALS OF LOWER ARROYO SECO PARK AND NEARBY AREAS WITH SIMILAR HABITATS; RECENT OBSERVATIONS AND HISTORICAL RECORDS
 
  APPENDIX C: PLANT PALETTES FOR TERRESTRIAL NATURAL PLANT COMMUNITIES
  C.1 COAST LIVE OAK WOODLAND
  C.2 SOUTHERN WILLOW SCRUB
  C.3 MULE FAT SCRUB
  C.3 SAGE SCRUB
  C.3 SOUTHERN SYCAMORE RIPARIAN WOODLAND
 
APPENDIX D:  LOWER ARROYO MASTER PLAN PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
 
 
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