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Commission approves Wyland/Modoc Waterwise Pocket Park design near downtown
Summary
The commission approved a small Waterwise Pocket Park design at Avenida/Madrid sponsored by the Wyland Foundation and Modoc Municipal Water District; the project will be maintained by the city after installation and include interpretive signage and a memorial to late Mayor Steve Schwartz.
The Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission voted to approve a Waterwise Pocket Park design on Wednesday, accepting a Wyland Foundation and Modoc Municipal Water District-sponsored demonstration site intended to educate residents about watershed protection and reduce runoff to the coast.
Nikki Beach, the city's environmental programs analyst, described the project's history: it began after San Clemente won the Wyland Foundation's National Mayor's Challenge for water conservation in 2019. Partners include the Wyland Foundation, Modoc Municipal Water District and Saddleback College, which helped identify and vet candidate sites. Staff and partners recommended a small city-owned corner lot at Avenida and Madrid/Olavista, close to downtown and the pier.
The proposed design features drought-tolerant plantings, a small dog relief area using low-water plantings, a meandering dry creek bed to collect and detain runoff, and interpretive signage to explain watershed connections and water-saving practices. Beach said partners will cover installation costs and the city will be responsible for maintenance. She also noted the design includes a memorial element to honor former Mayor Steve Schwartz.
Steve Creech, representing the Wyland Foundation, framed the park as an outreach tool. "This is the last stop before it goes into the ocean," he said, describing the site's role in teaching upstream practices that protect beach water quality.
After public comment and commissioner feedback emphasizing low-maintenance vegetation, volunteer opportunities for installation and maintenance, and clarification about coastal permitting, a commissioner moved to approve the plan as presented. The motion passed on a voice vote. Staff said they will pursue any required coastal development permit exemption and formalize an installation agreement with project partners.
Next steps: staff will work with planning to secure any necessary coastal permitting or administrative exemptions and finalize an agreement with Wyland and Modoc for installation funding. The city will prepare outreach materials and interpretive signage as the project moves into permitting and construction.
