California is turning 67 acres of land once used for agriculture into a restored floodplain with wetlands, grasslands and public trails. The restoration area at Ensen Community Park in Salinas is being developed by Big Sur Land Trust in partnership with the City of Salinas and other community organisations.
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According to Big Sur Land Trust, the project is designed to recreate a historic wetland landscape that existed in the area more than a century ago. Much of the land had previously been drained for agriculture. During the restoration work, crews moved and reshaped more than 172,000 cubic yards of soil to change the landscape and create areas that can hold water.
The reshaped land includes basins for ponds and slow-moving waterways, along with higher ground for public trails. The project includes 1.7 miles of trails and three bridges with a combined length of 240 feet. The restored area is scheduled to open to the public with a grand opening event on September 20.
The work is part of an effort to bring wetlands and other native habitats back to the floodplain while also creating a place for people to walk and learn about the local landscape.
More than 67 acres being restored
The restoration project includes 67 acres of habitat, with 29 acres designated as wetland. The completed landscape will contain seven different habitat types, including wetlands and grasslands.
Planting is also a major part of the work. The project includes more than 2,000 pounds of seed, 6,000 native plants and 100 trees. The plants have been selected for the different habitats being created across the site.
Among the plants planned for the restored landscape are box elder and Western sycamore trees. The area will also have California poppy, sun cups, spreading rush and tufted hairgrass. Purple needlegrass, the state grass of California, is also among the species being planted.
The planting will help replace the bare, reshaped ground created during construction with vegetation suited to the restored habitats. Over time, the project is expected to create a landscape that supports native plants and provides different types of habitat across the floodplain. The vegetation will also capture carbon dioxide and contribute to the area's climate resilience.
