Culver City Parks Task 8.1 Final Plan - Flipbook - Page 260
GLOSSARY (CONTINUED)
Levee: An embankment whose primary purpose
is to furnish flood protection from seasonal high
water and which is therefore subject to water
loading for periods of only a few days or weeks a
year.
Linear Park: These parks are defined in the
Culver City General Plan 2045 as landscape areas
and other lands that follow linear corridors such
as rivers, creeks, abandoned railroad rights-ofway, canals, powerlines, and other elongated
features. They usually contain trails, designed
planted areas, viewpoints, and seating areas.
Low Impact Development (LID): A term used to
describe a land planning and engineering design
approach to manage stormwater runoff primarily
for water quality improvements as part of green
infrastructure. LID emphasizes conservation and
use of on-site natural features to protect water
quality.
Multiuse Trail: Trails which allow for many
user types, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and
equestrians.
Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
(MWELO): MWELO is a California statewide water
efficiency law for new and renovated landscapes.
It sets limits on high water use plants and
irrigation equipment and incentivizes a holistic
approach to landscaping that incorporates
healthy soils, adapted plants and alternative
water supplies like graywater, harvested
rainwater, and recycled water.
Native Species: A species that is a part of the
balance of nature that has developed over
hundreds or thousands of years in a particular
region or ecosystem. (Source: USDA)
Natural Open Space: The Culver City General
Plan 2045 defines natural open space as
undeveloped land primarily left in its natural
form with recreation uses as a secondary
objective. It is usually owned or managed by a
governmental agency and may or may not have
public access. This type of land may include
wetlands, steep hillsides, or other similar spaces.
In some cases, environmentally sensitive areas
are considered open space and can include
wildlife habitats, stream and creek corridors, or
unique and/or endangered plant species.
Nature-based: Nature-based strategies aim
to protect, manage, and enhance natural or
modified ecosystems through sustainable
techniques that produce benefits for society
and biodiversity. (Source: International Union for
260 RESOURCES // GLOSSARY
Conservation of Nature)
Neighborhood Park: The Culver City General
Plan 2045 defines neighborhood parks as
sites that are intended to serve neighborhood
residents within a mile of the park and are
usually between 3 and 15 acres. Neighborhood
parks may have playgrounds, picnic areas,
trails, open grass areas for passive use, outdoor
basketball courts, and multi-use open grass areas
for sports.
Park Pressure: A metric defined by how much
land is available to residents in the area around
each park. The LA Countywide Park Need
Assessment states that any amount less than 3.3
acres of parkland per 1000 residents qualifies as
high park pressure. Nearly 80% of LA County falls
within this category.
Parkette: The Culver City General Plan 2045
defines parkettes or mini parks as sites that
occupy less than 3 acres. They are typically
designed for use by small children or as green
oases in the middle of an urban context.
Parkettes/mini parks may have open grass areas,
playgrounds, and a small picnic area.
Parkshed: Areas that are defined by the park
that is within closest walking distance.
Potable Water: Water quality that is suitable for
drinking.
Receiving Waters: All distinct bodies of water
that receive runoff or wastewater discharges,
such as streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and
estuaries.
Recharge: Process of addition of water into the
ground to the saturated zone such as an aquifer.
(Source: USGS)
Recharge Area: An area in which water reached
the zone of saturation by surface infiltration.
(Source: USGS)
Reclaimed Wastewater: Wastewater-treatment
plant effluent that has been diverted for
beneficial uses such as irrigation, industry, or
thermoelectric cooling instead of being released
to a natural waterway or aquifer. (Source: USGS)
Regional Detention (Basin): A detention
basin which collects stormwater runoff from a
relatively large area, and has been designed to
use storage as a means of reducing downstream
flood peaks, reducing possible flood damage,
or reducing downstream channel construction
costs. Regional facilities are usually multi-
