From landfill to park in Sun Valley

Talk about the power of transformation. A former Sun Valley construction debris landfill is being targeted for rebirth as a unique hybrid park with special flood-fighting and water-cleaning powers.

Planning for the endeavor enters a new phase on Saturday, April 16, when community members will be invited to a public meeting to discuss features—such as soccer fields—that they hope to see in the new park.

They can also learn more about the Strathern Wetlands Park Project’s other, non-recreational role. Sun Valley’s unusual geography has long presented a major challenge for residents and county public works engineers alike whenever heavy winter storms wash out local intersections. The new park is intended to play a key role in combatting such problems.

Sited on a 46-acre former construction debris landfill at the intersection of Tujunga and Strathern, the proposed multiuse project is expected to include storm drains, detention ponds for flood protection, wetland ponds for water-quality treatment, landscaping improvements and habitat enhancement. Work on the multi-year project is expected to start in the spring of 2013. The formal name for the new park has not yet been selected.

Officials want to hear from the community on the recreational components they’d like to see included, so all interested residents are urged to attend. The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Richard E. Byrd Middle School Auditorium, 8501 Arleta Avenue in Sun Valley.

For more information and to RSVP, contact Project Manager Tona Avalos in the County’s Department of Public Works, (626) 458-4312 or [email protected].

Posted 4/14/11