Culver City Parks Task 8.1 Final Plan - Flipbook - Page 138
ECOLOGY AND RESILIENCE
Situated along the Ballona Creek and at the base
of Baldwin Hills, Culver City has a unique ecological
context. A range of upland to riparian ecological
conditions can be amplified through the city’s
park system. Currently, many parks have planted
non-native and/or invasive species that tend to use
more water and limit the biodiversity in the city.
There are opportunities to bolster the urban forest,
prioritize shade, introduce more native and waterwise species, connect to regional ecosystems, and
implement strategies for wildfire resilience.
Existing System
Culver City was historically comprised of wet
meadow, alkali meadow, and willow thicket
ecosystems.38 These ecosystems thrived around
what was likely at that time the mainstem of the
LA River which flowed through Culver City roughly
along the current alignment of Ballona Creek.
During a series of three high precipitation years
beginning in 1825, the river altered course, sending
it south-east, closer to its current location, and
leaving behind the lower flowing Ballona Creek
and a series of marsh ecosystems.39 Subsequent
channelization of Ballona Creek alongside decades
of increased development altered the ecosystems
in Culver City to what we see today.40
Culver City is also home to vegetation communities
such as California sagebrush, California buckwheat,
coast live oak, chaparral, and annual grasslands.49
Soils in Culver City are alluvial consisting largely
of loam with some areas of clay and patches of
sandy soils.42 Average precipitation in Culver City
currently ranges from 10-17 inches per year43 and
will be more irregular in the future, emphasizing
the need for efficient park water utilization.
MAP LEGEND
Culver City Boundary
Culver City Parks
ELEVATION
High (125‘)
Low (6‘)
5’ Contour Interval
20’ Contour Interval
Figure 129. Topographical map of Culver City. There is
approximately 120 feet of elevation change within Culver City.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, 2013, USGS NED 1 arc-second 2013.
138 THE PLAN // SYSTEM SCALE
+ 6’
