WESTMINSTER, Calif. – Earth Month came to a close with the unveiling of a long-awaited watersmart community pocket park and demonstration garden for the city of Westminster. The project was awarded to the city in 2018 for its outstanding participation in the Annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, a friendly competition between U.S. cities every April to see who can be the most water wise. The local beautification project will serve as community oasis while reducing pollution runoff and saving 190,000 gallons of water each year.
The park, which was delayed due to the COVID shut down, provides residents with a living example of home-based landscaping strategies that can save water, reduce pollution runoff, and reflect the beauty of southern California’s native plants, trees, and wildlife. The project was created as a group effort between the Wyland Foundation, Municipal Water District of Orange County, Saddleback College, The Toro Company, and the city of Westminster, with support from local businesses specializing in native landscaping.
The park is expected to save 190,000 gallons of water yearly over existing usage.
“The park will serve as an educational resource and reminder to residents that water-smart landscaping is achievable, sustainable and beautiful with proper planning, drought tolerant plans, and the right irrigation equipment,” said marine life artist Wyland, who started his namesake foundation in 1993.
“We couldn’t be more excited to unveil this water-smart demonstration garden in the great City of Westminster,” said MWDOC Board President Megan Yoo Schneider. “The pocket park design incorporates native plants and water-saving irrigation techniques that will help visitors transform their landscapes with confidence and pride.”
Westminster residents made thousands of commitments to reduce their water footprint during their participation in the Mayor’s Water Challenge. The new park will reflect those efforts as a showcase for readily available plants and landscaping products that reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides, while using less water overall and capturing storm runoff. Designed by student teams from Saddleback College, the project features bioswales and decomposed granite to help recharge ground water, as well as native flowers and trees, permeable pavers, and the latest consumer friendly water-saving irrigation equipment. Other elements include energy-efficient lighting and public artworks to celebrate the community’s local cultural and environmental heritage, along with a companion web site with tips on watersmart home landscaping, rebates, and STEM activities and lessons for students to use the park as a living classroom. The pocket park is a non-profit project of the Wyland Foundation and its partners.
Special thanks to Aaron’s Natural Landscaping, KCAL / KCBS, Saddleback Pavers, David Volz Landscape Architecture, Pacific Interlock Pavers, Metropolitan Water District of Los Angeles, Brightview Landscape Services, QCP Concrete, Zoom Recreation, and Sepulveda Building Materials.
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The Wyland Foundation, founded in 1993 by environmental artist Wyland, is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving the world’s ocean, waterways, and marine life. The foundation encourages environmental awareness through community events, education programs, and public art projects. www.wylandfoundation.org
The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) is a wholesale water provider and resource planning agency whose efforts focus on sound planning and appropriate investments in water supply, water use efficiency and conservation, public information and outreach, legislative advocacy, water education for all ages, and emergency preparedness.
MWDOC’s 27 retail water agencies, made up of both city water departments and water districts, provide retail water services to the public. www.mwdoc.com
The City of Westminster is a vibrant and diverse community with a rich history and blend of residents, businesses, and tourists from many ethnic cultures and backgrounds. Located in northwest Orange County, Westminster occupies 10.2 square miles and is surrounded by some of Southern California’s key attractions.
The City is committed to providing the highest quality of service, ensuring that Westminster is a desirable place to live, work, play, and do business. www.westminster-ca.gov
