For those who feel the vast urban sprawl that is the Greater Los Angeles area to be more of a dense urban confine, the concept of the park is born. These oases of nature exist in various forms: from neighborhood parks conducive to PTA picnics to the future LA River Park conducive to marathon training. The tie that binds is, of course, the physical sanctity of nature within a metropolis.
However, for Angelenos who feel inclined to take the park experience one step further, there is an alternative park form that goes well beyond manicured lawns and swing-sets. That is, a type of park with an emphasis on the jungle rather than the jungle gym.
Welcome to the South Coast Wildlands, an animal compound complete with lions, tigers and bears (and monkeys and peacocks etc...). South Coast Wildlands has never been accused of being a typical park in any sense of the word. It is instead a place dedicated to protecting wildlife and providing safe (and professionally monitored) interaction between humans and their big cat counterparts; a park for our furry friends. This park is, in fact, more of a protective and comfortable home to a
wide array of exotic creatures. SC Wildlands even extends an intimate opportunity to its select visitors to roam the expansive grounds while looking into the eyes of great white tigers, lions, chimpanzees, bobcats and bears among other impressive species (all in separate cages, naturally).
What's more? A location close to home, just 30 minutes outside of LA.
Want to donate, inquire about volunteer opportunities or just learn more:
Visit www.scwildlands.org
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Invisble Structures, Inc. Products and the Los Angeles River, by Brandon Perkins
The future image of the Los Angeles River is a phenomenal transformation from the concrete drainage way that currently is the river. Eventually decorated with a string of open grass space for park play, grassy-lined river edges for strolling, widened pedestrian-friendly streets abound with vegetation and trees, and even parking areas shaded by tall trees and shrubs, the Los Angeles River will truly be a remarkable sight. Beyond the obvious recreational opportunities the revitalized river will provide, such green spaces and even parking lots could be the silent medicine that revitalizes the river to a functioning vein within its watershed.
New sustainable technologies, such as product lines by Invisible Stuctures, Inc., lie unseen beneath grass, gravel, and pavement, yet help reunite urban developed areas with nature’s water cycle, a feat unseen by typical impervious surfaces and structures. With proper planning, a simple parking lot can be transformed into a water-purifying system with options of recycling the water for irrigation, releasing excess purified water into a nearby drainage-way or stream, or detaining the water for seepage into the ground, and eventually into an aquifer.
Currently along the Los Angeles River, impervious pavements and roads usher oils, heavy metals, salts, and other pollutants directly into the concrete channel of the river during a rain event. With limited vegetation or areas available for water to seep into the ground, the first flush of water from roadsides and pavements essentially gets dumped into the river and flushed directly out to sea. Virtually none of the pollutants get filtered and without groundwater recharge, much of the natural water cycle is lost.
The product line by Invisible Structures, Inc. accounts for the serious downfall of impervious pavements, and instead supplies an array of permeable paving alternatives that double as filters from the first flush of rain. In essence, the fundamental unit behind the Invisible Structure product line is a series of thin-walled adjacently connected cylindrical columns made from polypropylene plastic. Depending on the precise function of the technology (whether under a parking lot, gravel, or grass) the exact shape of the unit slightly varies. Pertaining to the Los Angeles River, the unit used beneath parking lots, called the “Rainstore3,” could have some of the most exciting possibilities.
If engineers employed “Rainstore3” beneath parking zones along the Los Angeles River, the invisible structure could be stacked to a height of 2.5 meters beneath the surface of the parking lot. Because the Rainstore cells are engineered to have a 94% void, the cells function as an underground water retention (or detention) basin while also supporting heavy traffic loads.
When connected to a series of filters, inlet pipes, and outlet pipes, the true green possibilities unlock. For example, the Kitsap Fair and Events Center in Bremerton, Washington installed “Rainstore3” and other Invisible Structures, Inc products to ameliorate flooding issues in their playing fields. After the installations, not only did flooding stop, but rainwater collected in the “Rainstore3” cells was recycled for irrigation, replacing the use of 2 million gallons of potable water per year.
Regarding the Los Angeles River, captured rainwater could also be reused for irrigation, but the green potential does not end there; the system could be used for water filtration and groundwater recharge. If rain fell on a parking lot above installed Rainstore cells, the asphalt of the parking lot could channel the water into numerous surface drains. A sediment filter set beneath the drain could filter oils and runoff debris from the rainwater before the water entered an inlet valve leading to the Rainstore cell system for storage or water detention. Without the use of an impervious lining around the cell system, water would seep into the ground and potentially recharge important aquifers. Finally, excess water from the Rainstore cell system would drain through an outlet pipe, providing filtered water for irrigation or release into the Los Angeles River to help support riparian ecosystems. Currently, runoff released into the river adds to the polluted system of the river, but with filters installed in conjunction with Invisible Structures, Inc products, it seems that reversing the ecological state of the Los Angeles River may not be so far-fetched after all.
New sustainable technologies, such as product lines by Invisible Stuctures, Inc., lie unseen beneath grass, gravel, and pavement, yet help reunite urban developed areas with nature’s water cycle, a feat unseen by typical impervious surfaces and structures. With proper planning, a simple parking lot can be transformed into a water-purifying system with options of recycling the water for irrigation, releasing excess purified water into a nearby drainage-way or stream, or detaining the water for seepage into the ground, and eventually into an aquifer.
Currently along the Los Angeles River, impervious pavements and roads usher oils, heavy metals, salts, and other pollutants directly into the concrete channel of the river during a rain event. With limited vegetation or areas available for water to seep into the ground, the first flush of water from roadsides and pavements essentially gets dumped into the river and flushed directly out to sea. Virtually none of the pollutants get filtered and without groundwater recharge, much of the natural water cycle is lost.
The product line by Invisible Structures, Inc. accounts for the serious downfall of impervious pavements, and instead supplies an array of permeable paving alternatives that double as filters from the first flush of rain. In essence, the fundamental unit behind the Invisible Structure product line is a series of thin-walled adjacently connected cylindrical columns made from polypropylene plastic. Depending on the precise function of the technology (whether under a parking lot, gravel, or grass) the exact shape of the unit slightly varies. Pertaining to the Los Angeles River, the unit used beneath parking lots, called the “Rainstore3,” could have some of the most exciting possibilities.
If engineers employed “Rainstore3” beneath parking zones along the Los Angeles River, the invisible structure could be stacked to a height of 2.5 meters beneath the surface of the parking lot. Because the Rainstore cells are engineered to have a 94% void, the cells function as an underground water retention (or detention) basin while also supporting heavy traffic loads.
When connected to a series of filters, inlet pipes, and outlet pipes, the true green possibilities unlock. For example, the Kitsap Fair and Events Center in Bremerton, Washington installed “Rainstore3” and other Invisible Structures, Inc products to ameliorate flooding issues in their playing fields. After the installations, not only did flooding stop, but rainwater collected in the “Rainstore3” cells was recycled for irrigation, replacing the use of 2 million gallons of potable water per year.
Regarding the Los Angeles River, captured rainwater could also be reused for irrigation, but the green potential does not end there; the system could be used for water filtration and groundwater recharge. If rain fell on a parking lot above installed Rainstore cells, the asphalt of the parking lot could channel the water into numerous surface drains. A sediment filter set beneath the drain could filter oils and runoff debris from the rainwater before the water entered an inlet valve leading to the Rainstore cell system for storage or water detention. Without the use of an impervious lining around the cell system, water would seep into the ground and potentially recharge important aquifers. Finally, excess water from the Rainstore cell system would drain through an outlet pipe, providing filtered water for irrigation or release into the Los Angeles River to help support riparian ecosystems. Currently, runoff released into the river adds to the polluted system of the river, but with filters installed in conjunction with Invisible Structures, Inc products, it seems that reversing the ecological state of the Los Angeles River may not be so far-fetched after all.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The Sustainability of OC Great Park
From Central Park to Golden Gate Park, landscape designers historically created urban oases amidst city skylines. However, if a park could be created in a populated area today, what would be done differently? Would there be a change in how designers approach the landscape?
Among other regions, the State of California is, once again, facing a potential water shortage. And with population growth, urban dwelling Californians also lack extensive parks for education, leisure, recreation, and art. Considering the needs of a growing state, with enough space, how would a park of the 21st century look?
Recently, the developing Great Park of Orange County addressed such questions. With the acquisition of land from a decommissioned Air Station in Irvine, an urban space opened with the potential to become a true park of the 21st century. Not only do the park plans function to entice local communities to explore its nature habitats, hike upon trails along the revitalized Agua Chinon stream, and enjoy art and educational opportunities, but Orange County Great Park employs innovative sustainable design strategies and unique park features to capture the interest of wandering folk.
Unlike most developments, Orange County Great Park plans to develop using recycled materials. Ranging from the reuse of removed paving (nicknamed “toro stone”) to the reuse of building demolition materials, walkways and bridges will be constructed in the Great Park. Dispersal and replanting of the over 8000 trees that existed on the air base will also contribute to the ‘sustainable’ construction of the park. Once established, Orange County Great Park plans to use reclaimed water to fuel a manmade stream that will meander through the park. At the terminus of this “Bee Creek,” the reclaimed water will collect into a large holding pond that will, not only, provide for recreational opportunities, but will also function as a water source for nighttime park irrigation. Other sustainable features include the use of native vegetation to minimize water needs, site wide composting to minimize waste, and an integrated transit system to encourage alternative transportation and minimal greenhouse gas emission.
Among other regions, the State of California is, once again, facing a potential water shortage. And with population growth, urban dwelling Californians also lack extensive parks for education, leisure, recreation, and art. Considering the needs of a growing state, with enough space, how would a park of the 21st century look?
Recently, the developing Great Park of Orange County addressed such questions. With the acquisition of land from a decommissioned Air Station in Irvine, an urban space opened with the potential to become a true park of the 21st century. Not only do the park plans function to entice local communities to explore its nature habitats, hike upon trails along the revitalized Agua Chinon stream, and enjoy art and educational opportunities, but Orange County Great Park employs innovative sustainable design strategies and unique park features to capture the interest of wandering folk.
Unlike most developments, Orange County Great Park plans to develop using recycled materials. Ranging from the reuse of removed paving (nicknamed “toro stone”) to the reuse of building demolition materials, walkways and bridges will be constructed in the Great Park. Dispersal and replanting of the over 8000 trees that existed on the air base will also contribute to the ‘sustainable’ construction of the park. Once established, Orange County Great Park plans to use reclaimed water to fuel a manmade stream that will meander through the park. At the terminus of this “Bee Creek,” the reclaimed water will collect into a large holding pond that will, not only, provide for recreational opportunities, but will also function as a water source for nighttime park irrigation. Other sustainable features include the use of native vegetation to minimize water needs, site wide composting to minimize waste, and an integrated transit system to encourage alternative transportation and minimal greenhouse gas emission.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Technology and Conservation
Technology and Conservation
The emergence and perfection of hyperspectral technology has tremendous potential for revolutionizing conservation efforts. Since its emergence in the 1990’s, researchers used the technology for a variety of purposes, ranging from updating maps to managing agricultural lands and exploring for minerals. The implications for conservation, however, is the ability for researchers to identify ecosystem function, evolution and change; identify threatened habitats of endangered species; indirect approximations of species richness and diversity; and calculations for carrying capacity, all with unprecedented efficiency. What once required tedious surveying and exploration by foot now requires aerial flights over the area of study.
What is hyperspectral imagery? In simplest terms, hyperspectral imagery is the detection of reflected electromagnetic energy from the earth. After an electromagnetic ray is transmitted and received, hyperspectral technology produces high resolution images created from the variety of wavelengths received. In the end, the technology produces an easily interpreted map of a specific target, ranging from a mineral to a specific plant species. Most recently, Earth Search Sciences Inc. patented their third generation technology, called the “OmniProbe.” A fraction of its original size, the OmniProbe is the size of a shoebox and can be easily attached to aircraft for research excursions.
With the perfection and evolution of hyperspectral technology is increased surveying abilities. Regarding conservation efforts and research, the technology can now reveal vertical canopy structure of a forest, percentage of land cover by vegetation, the productivity of primary producers (via Chlorophyll), information on ocean color and circulation, climate and rainfall data, percentage of soil moisture, phenology cycles (leaf turnover and flower/fruiting cycles), and the identification of target species. Pertaining to field research, the technology has been used to detect invasive species and identify and survey critical habitat for endangered animals from the Great Panda in China, to the Black Rhino in Kenya and the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda.
In Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, the emergence and spread of the invasive species “Leafy Spurge” has created habitat damage and loss to the park’s grasslands. To reverse the damage done by the spread of this noxious species, the park has sprayed infested areas with an herbicide or released flea beetles as a bio-control ally; flea beetles prey upon Leafy Spurge. With the help of hyperspectral technology and imagery, the park has identified and mapped the locations and extent of the infestations throughout the park. With a map in hand, park rangers and researchers now fight to eradicate the weed.
Across the globe in Africa and China, conservationists and the Worldwide Wildlife Fund fight to save token endangered species like the Great Panda, Black Rhino, and Mountain Gorilla. All three species are not only threatened by poachers, but reduction in critical habitat areas and limited ‘sanctuaries’ or places free from human harm. In Rwanda, the Center for Conservation Technology, a division of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, uses hyperspectral technology to understand habitat loss, ecosystem function, and extent of human encroachment to dictate field conservation and ecosystem management strategies. The extent that the new technology will alter and assist conservation strategies may influence the fate of the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda. Regarding the Black Rhino and Great Panda, hyperspectral technology could be used to locate suitable critical habitat areas for conservation purposes. If sanctuaries could be created for these animals from acquisitioned land, species abundances may once again rise.
Currently, population of Black Rhino in Kenya has dropped from over 20,000 in 1970 to approximately 450 individuals today. With the help of field research, critical habitat was identified and a small fenced and protected rhino sanctuary, called “Sweetwaters,” was created for the Black Rhino. Surveying the habitat by foot, researchers calculated the carrying capacity of the sanctuary, and 22 rhino were translocated to the area. In this scenario, hyperspectral technology could have potentially replaced the need for tedious field work to accelerate the establishment of the sanctuary.
Hyperspectral technology can largely replace tedious field surveying yet provided thorough data sets for calculating carrying capacities of study sites for target species. The implications are that it can expedite surveying processes and eliminate the need for extensive field research to assist park management strategy and decision-making. With the use of the innovative technology, the identification of critical habitat and data collection for carrying capacity calculations could occur to create and extend existing conservation areas.
Brandon Perkins
Content Coordinator
NGS/LA FEATURES-Special Projects
Phone (888)477-9241/Fax (323) 559-2256
www.linejumpertalent.com via www.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer
DIRECT E-MAIL: brandon@linejumpertalents.com
The emergence and perfection of hyperspectral technology has tremendous potential for revolutionizing conservation efforts. Since its emergence in the 1990’s, researchers used the technology for a variety of purposes, ranging from updating maps to managing agricultural lands and exploring for minerals. The implications for conservation, however, is the ability for researchers to identify ecosystem function, evolution and change; identify threatened habitats of endangered species; indirect approximations of species richness and diversity; and calculations for carrying capacity, all with unprecedented efficiency. What once required tedious surveying and exploration by foot now requires aerial flights over the area of study.
What is hyperspectral imagery? In simplest terms, hyperspectral imagery is the detection of reflected electromagnetic energy from the earth. After an electromagnetic ray is transmitted and received, hyperspectral technology produces high resolution images created from the variety of wavelengths received. In the end, the technology produces an easily interpreted map of a specific target, ranging from a mineral to a specific plant species. Most recently, Earth Search Sciences Inc. patented their third generation technology, called the “OmniProbe.” A fraction of its original size, the OmniProbe is the size of a shoebox and can be easily attached to aircraft for research excursions.
With the perfection and evolution of hyperspectral technology is increased surveying abilities. Regarding conservation efforts and research, the technology can now reveal vertical canopy structure of a forest, percentage of land cover by vegetation, the productivity of primary producers (via Chlorophyll), information on ocean color and circulation, climate and rainfall data, percentage of soil moisture, phenology cycles (leaf turnover and flower/fruiting cycles), and the identification of target species. Pertaining to field research, the technology has been used to detect invasive species and identify and survey critical habitat for endangered animals from the Great Panda in China, to the Black Rhino in Kenya and the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda.
In Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, the emergence and spread of the invasive species “Leafy Spurge” has created habitat damage and loss to the park’s grasslands. To reverse the damage done by the spread of this noxious species, the park has sprayed infested areas with an herbicide or released flea beetles as a bio-control ally; flea beetles prey upon Leafy Spurge. With the help of hyperspectral technology and imagery, the park has identified and mapped the locations and extent of the infestations throughout the park. With a map in hand, park rangers and researchers now fight to eradicate the weed.
Across the globe in Africa and China, conservationists and the Worldwide Wildlife Fund fight to save token endangered species like the Great Panda, Black Rhino, and Mountain Gorilla. All three species are not only threatened by poachers, but reduction in critical habitat areas and limited ‘sanctuaries’ or places free from human harm. In Rwanda, the Center for Conservation Technology, a division of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, uses hyperspectral technology to understand habitat loss, ecosystem function, and extent of human encroachment to dictate field conservation and ecosystem management strategies. The extent that the new technology will alter and assist conservation strategies may influence the fate of the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda. Regarding the Black Rhino and Great Panda, hyperspectral technology could be used to locate suitable critical habitat areas for conservation purposes. If sanctuaries could be created for these animals from acquisitioned land, species abundances may once again rise.
Currently, population of Black Rhino in Kenya has dropped from over 20,000 in 1970 to approximately 450 individuals today. With the help of field research, critical habitat was identified and a small fenced and protected rhino sanctuary, called “Sweetwaters,” was created for the Black Rhino. Surveying the habitat by foot, researchers calculated the carrying capacity of the sanctuary, and 22 rhino were translocated to the area. In this scenario, hyperspectral technology could have potentially replaced the need for tedious field work to accelerate the establishment of the sanctuary.
Hyperspectral technology can largely replace tedious field surveying yet provided thorough data sets for calculating carrying capacities of study sites for target species. The implications are that it can expedite surveying processes and eliminate the need for extensive field research to assist park management strategy and decision-making. With the use of the innovative technology, the identification of critical habitat and data collection for carrying capacity calculations could occur to create and extend existing conservation areas.
Brandon Perkins
Content Coordinator
NGS/LA FEATURES-Special Projects
Phone (888)477-9241/Fax (323) 559-2256
www.linejumpertalent.com via www.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer
DIRECT E-MAIL: brandon@linejumpertalents.com
Thursday, November 8, 2007
The Importance of the Greening of California
The majority of California lies within an ecological zone named the “California Floristic Province,” which is considered a Mediterranean ecosystem. Across the globe, Mediterranean ecosystems represent less than 3% of the land and are considered more threatened than rainforests. In California’s ecosystem, only 25% of original habitat currently remains, as the remainder has been altered by agricultural, industrial, and residential uses. Consequently, numerous endemic vegetative species have declined in population numbers.
Within the California Floristic Province, the Santa Susanna Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, and the Santa Monica Mountains collaboratively form a watershed that fuels the Los Angeles River that extends through the entirety of Los Angeles. Once upon a time, the 850 miles of the Los Angeles watershed fed a meandering river lined with vegetation. Trees thrived, scrubland grew, and birds and wildlife flourished along the Los Angeles River’s 51 mile length. However, with the onset of settlers and population growth, the unpredictable river and its changing path and periodic flooding instigated its concrete channelization in the 1930’s by the marine corps. The wild river became a glorified storm drain and lost its identity. As for the river’s watershed, today over 60 percent of its expanse is paved in concrete.
Across the globe, urbanization leaves a concrete footstep, and often the effects not only marginalize wildlife habitat, but interrupt nature’s water cycle. Considering the Los Angeles area, the paving of its watershed produced impermeable surfaces that inhibit nature’s normal cycle of water percolation into underground aquifers. Throughout history, such aquifers provided freshwater for various civilian uses, including drinking water. Before urbanization of the Los Angeles watershed, 80% of rainwater percolated into the ground to recharge aquifers. Today, eight percent of rainfall seeps into the ground. Most the remaining stormwater flows over concrete before being funneled into the Los Angeles River and ultimately into the Pacific Ocean. Freshwater is lost.
On the cusp of a statewide water shortage, various Los Angeles politicians, scientists and visionaries are striving to address the issue. In particular, one component is the greening of the Los Angeles River, known as the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan….
Brandon Perkins
Content Coordinator
Direct Phone line: (310) 427-2740
NGS/LA FEATURES-Special Projects
Phone (888)477-9241/Fax (323) 559-2256
Within the California Floristic Province, the Santa Susanna Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, and the Santa Monica Mountains collaboratively form a watershed that fuels the Los Angeles River that extends through the entirety of Los Angeles. Once upon a time, the 850 miles of the Los Angeles watershed fed a meandering river lined with vegetation. Trees thrived, scrubland grew, and birds and wildlife flourished along the Los Angeles River’s 51 mile length. However, with the onset of settlers and population growth, the unpredictable river and its changing path and periodic flooding instigated its concrete channelization in the 1930’s by the marine corps. The wild river became a glorified storm drain and lost its identity. As for the river’s watershed, today over 60 percent of its expanse is paved in concrete.
Across the globe, urbanization leaves a concrete footstep, and often the effects not only marginalize wildlife habitat, but interrupt nature’s water cycle. Considering the Los Angeles area, the paving of its watershed produced impermeable surfaces that inhibit nature’s normal cycle of water percolation into underground aquifers. Throughout history, such aquifers provided freshwater for various civilian uses, including drinking water. Before urbanization of the Los Angeles watershed, 80% of rainwater percolated into the ground to recharge aquifers. Today, eight percent of rainfall seeps into the ground. Most the remaining stormwater flows over concrete before being funneled into the Los Angeles River and ultimately into the Pacific Ocean. Freshwater is lost.
On the cusp of a statewide water shortage, various Los Angeles politicians, scientists and visionaries are striving to address the issue. In particular, one component is the greening of the Los Angeles River, known as the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan….
Brandon Perkins
Content Coordinator
Direct Phone line: (310) 427-2740
NGS/LA FEATURES-Special Projects
Phone (888)477-9241/Fax (323) 559-2256
Art and Orange County Great Park
Remember the original pin-hole camera? An enclosed box containing no trace of light, except a small ray that passed through a pin-sized hole on the front side, produced the world’s first photographic image. Manipulating the original photographic technology, a group of artists in September 2007 created the world’s largest photographic image by creating an unusually large pin-hole camera. How was this done? In the future site of the Orange County Great Park, a remnant hangar on a decommissioned air base became the camera, and an emulsion-treated enormous canvas became the film negative. The result was tremendous: the world’s largest photograph, certified by the Guiness Book of World Records. The gigantic image was of the decommissioned air base, essentially an oversized record of the ground zero of the Orange County Great Park. In essence, art began the documentation of the grandiose transformation of an air base into a revolutionary park of the 21st century.
Throughout history, passion drove artists to express their emotion, ability, and vision through various mediums. For the observer, art inspires awe, wonder, and evokes an array of emotion. In Orange County Great Park, art, and its appreciation, will continue to flourish. Beyond the wildlife and recreational opportunities that the Great Park will provide, artisans will have opportunities to showcase their work. In places such as the Exposition Center, which will contain a museum and cultural center, and the main amphitheatre, artists, musicians, and thespians will have a place to display and perform art.
Currently, the Legacy Project team that created the Great Picture have continued their photographic exploration of the base site. To date, the team has collected over 90,000 photographs of the property, documenting existing building art, graffiti, and the initial stage of the Great Park’s transformation. With plans to include areas to showcase local art, perhaps the metamorphosis of the park captured by the Legacy Project will become an artistic display for all to appreciate.
Brandon Perkins
Content Coordinator
Direct Phone line: (310) 427-2740
NGS/LA FEATURES-Special Projects
Phone (888)477-9241/Fax (323) 559-2256
Throughout history, passion drove artists to express their emotion, ability, and vision through various mediums. For the observer, art inspires awe, wonder, and evokes an array of emotion. In Orange County Great Park, art, and its appreciation, will continue to flourish. Beyond the wildlife and recreational opportunities that the Great Park will provide, artisans will have opportunities to showcase their work. In places such as the Exposition Center, which will contain a museum and cultural center, and the main amphitheatre, artists, musicians, and thespians will have a place to display and perform art.
Currently, the Legacy Project team that created the Great Picture have continued their photographic exploration of the base site. To date, the team has collected over 90,000 photographs of the property, documenting existing building art, graffiti, and the initial stage of the Great Park’s transformation. With plans to include areas to showcase local art, perhaps the metamorphosis of the park captured by the Legacy Project will become an artistic display for all to appreciate.
Brandon Perkins
Content Coordinator
Direct Phone line: (310) 427-2740
NGS/LA FEATURES-Special Projects
Phone (888)477-9241/Fax (323) 559-2256
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Boston Hailed as East Coast Champ in Urban Mega Park Building
(LJT) Boston - There was a time, mostly in the 1970s, and all through the eighties and early 90s, most people traveling to Boston would not linger to take in the sites. How times have changed. The construction of a new urban park on a island, notoriously used as a landfill, located in Boston Harbor, as well as, the cleanup of the Harbor itself, has reinvented Boston as the East Coast's Green Capital. The addendum construction of a sewage treatment plant on nearby Deer Island and the abatement of sewage discharges from combined sewer overflows has significantly improved water quality in the harbor and transformed the sites of Boston's Harbor Islands and Spectacle Island itself. The landfill is now capped with 30 feet [nine meters] of dirt from the excavation of the highway tunnel in Boston's massive Central Artery/Tunnel project - the “Big Dig.” As part of the environmental remediation effort, the island has been vegetated with native and non-native plant species and the large urban park is networked with five miles of bike paths and hiking trails. In addition, five-acres of artificial reefs were created east of the island.
It took twenty years of dispute settlement, constant dialogue and compromise with varied agenices, non profits and island stake holders, a consortium called 'The Partnership'. The outcome of this 'partnership' has transformed an urban eyesore into a beautiful large island park in the center of Boston Harbor and provided a lesson on water and health issues and compromise for any city considering a large scale urban park revitalization effort.
Because the Partnership is comprised of federal, state, local and private sector organizations, an advisory council (made up of members appointed by the National Park Service) learned through years of rough patches to work together to implement the park's General Management Plan, which has a 15 to 20 year outlook. The National Park Service does not own the park lands, rather the islands have remained in the hands of municipal, state, or institutional owners and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Following the milestone event of opening Spectacle Island to the public, the Partnership plans to continue to work toward enhancing the harbor island experience for visitors by upgrading infrastructure and improving access for the disabled. Major projects planned include rehabilitating the buildings of Fort Andrews, built around 1900, on Peddocks Island. The National Park Service is beginning to do inventory of island resources to determine the appropriate level of use.
For a tour of the islands, ferry schedules and information for educators visit www.bostonislands.org.
PRESS CONTACTS
Mitch Apodaca
Line Jumper Talents Group
INFO@LINEJUMPERTALENTS.COM
Phone (888)477-9241/Fax (323) 559-2256
This press release was issued through GroupWeb EmailWire.Com. For more information on press release distribution, go to www.emailwire.com.
Powered by:www.bangshowbiz.biz
Fax: +353 1 4100 980
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For More Information on Boston's Big Green and urban parks and related water filtration issues: see
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/24/us/24boston.html
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/getaways/07/26/spectacle.island.ap/index.html
http://www.gulfofmaine.org/times/fall2006/bostonharbor.html
It took twenty years of dispute settlement, constant dialogue and compromise with varied agenices, non profits and island stake holders, a consortium called 'The Partnership'. The outcome of this 'partnership' has transformed an urban eyesore into a beautiful large island park in the center of Boston Harbor and provided a lesson on water and health issues and compromise for any city considering a large scale urban park revitalization effort.
Because the Partnership is comprised of federal, state, local and private sector organizations, an advisory council (made up of members appointed by the National Park Service) learned through years of rough patches to work together to implement the park's General Management Plan, which has a 15 to 20 year outlook. The National Park Service does not own the park lands, rather the islands have remained in the hands of municipal, state, or institutional owners and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Following the milestone event of opening Spectacle Island to the public, the Partnership plans to continue to work toward enhancing the harbor island experience for visitors by upgrading infrastructure and improving access for the disabled. Major projects planned include rehabilitating the buildings of Fort Andrews, built around 1900, on Peddocks Island. The National Park Service is beginning to do inventory of island resources to determine the appropriate level of use.
For a tour of the islands, ferry schedules and information for educators visit www.bostonislands.org.
PRESS CONTACTS
Mitch Apodaca
Line Jumper Talents Group
INFO@LINEJUMPERTALENTS.COM
Phone (888)477-9241/Fax (323) 559-2256
This press release was issued through GroupWeb EmailWire.Com. For more information on press release distribution, go to www.emailwire.com.
Powered by:www.bangshowbiz.biz
Fax: +353 1 4100 980
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For More Information on Boston's Big Green and urban parks and related water filtration issues: see
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/24/us/24boston.html
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/getaways/07/26/spectacle.island.ap/index.html
http://www.gulfofmaine.org/times/fall2006/bostonharbor.html
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