Aliso Creek Estuary Restoration Plan

The proposed Project would restore the Aliso Creek Estuary by removing artificial fill, widening the channelized watercourse, creating new functional wetland habitats, improving water quality, and returning the estuary to its natural “intermittently open” condition. These proposed restoration activities would include the demolition of the existing beach overflow parking lot, construction of a new multi-modal facilities, installation of landscaping, and reconstruction of the play area and tot lot. The proposed Project would restore the Aliso Creek Estuary from its current condition to a healthy, functional ecosystem. In its existing state the estuary is a degraded lagoon, which stores urban runoff and provides no significant value as a natural habitat for native plants, fish, or wildlife. The proposed Project would restore a portion of the wetland habitat that historically occupied the Project site, by removing the existing surface parking lot and associated artificial fill, widening the channelized watercourse, and restoring the estuary’s natural connection to the ocean. The Restoration Site Plan proposes new, upgraded park facilities designed to provide public opportunities to experience the restored ecosystem in a wilderness park setting. These features include an interpretive loop trail around the restored estuary with seating and viewing areas, a pedestrian bridge over the restored wetland habitat, and an overlook area suitable for guided educational visits (see Figure 3). The Public Access Plan emphasizes enhanced access to the site via multiple modes of transportation through a multi-modal mobility hub, consistent with citywide visitor mobility strategies (see Figure 3).