Placerita Canyon Cited for Energy-Environmental Design

                        Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department

                                                                                                September 9, 2010

Contact Joyce Fitzpatrick

                                                                                                Public Information Assistant

                                                                                    (626) 821-4645 or (626) 673-0673

                                                                                                Or

                                    Imee Perius

                                                                                                Public Information Officer

                                                                                                 (213) 738-2963

                                                                                               

Placerita Canyon Nature Center and Natural Area Receives First (LEED-EB) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design- Existing Building, Silver-Rated Certification for a Los Angeles County Facility

 

(Newhall, CA) – Los Angeles County Placerita Canyon Nature Center and Natural Area recently received the first United States Green Building Council (USGBC), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Existing Building (LEED-EB), Silver-Rated Certification for a Los Angeles County facility.  Placerita Canyon Nature Center is located at 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, CA  91321.  

 

“This certification for Placerita Canyon Nature Center is an outstanding acknowledgment of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s significant achievements in the design and development of environmentally responsible facilities, services and programs,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. “It also recognizes the critical collaboration between the County and the community -- whose participation is vital to the success of our parks programs and facilities.”

 

Placerita Nature Center building was originally constructed in 1971. Completed renovations at Placerita Canyon Natural Area include a new roof at Walker Cabin and exterior restorations; new potable water system at Walker Ranch Campground; pedestrian bridge ADA accessibility and structural restorations.  The Nature Center Building renovations include accessibility upgrades in compliance with current ADA requirements, a new gift shop; energy and water conservation features including energy efficient air conditioning and cooling systems, exterior building wall insulations, new roofs, renovated restrooms, windows and doors, septic system / leach field, court yard, and interior remodeling.

 

“The Department of Parks and Recreation is serious about our role in conservation and sustainability,” said Director Russ Guiney. “Placerita Canyon Nature Center’s LEED-EB certification is the latest example of our continuing efforts to remain at the forefront of environmental responsibility, following our ongoing efforts for water conservation at parks, greening our park practices with native plants and trees and harvesting solar energy to power our parks.”

 

Projects that are registered with USGBC for certification must comply with LEED-EB standards.  USGBC Green Building and Operations and Maintenance Manual provide standards for sustainable construction, site protection as well as building and site operation practices.  The Placerita project achieved certification points within the rating categories of Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation in design.

 

A LEED-EB certification encourages owners and operators of existing buildings to implement sustainable practices and reduce the environmental impacts of their buildings over their functional life cycles.  Specifically, the rating system addresses Exterior building site maintenance programs, Water and energy use, Environmentally preferred products and practices for cleaning and alterations, Sustainable purchasing policies, Waste stream management and Ongoing indoor environmental quality 

 

The certification was a collaborative effort of Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich; Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office; Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation; Los Angeles County Department of Public Works; California State Parks; the National Forest Service; Pugh + Scarpa Architects: Mr. Gwynne Pugh; Ms. Stephanie Ericson and Ms. Emily Hodgdon and the community volunteer group Placerita Nature Center Associates. 

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation includes 145 Community and Regional Parks and Playgrounds where children are introduced to outdoor play, organized sports, and individual skill development, and where families can stay active and maintain higher quality of lives.  Six Regional Parks include lakes with swimming, boating and fishing, along with miles of hiking trails and other outdoor activities such as bicycling and horseback riding.  A series of Nature Centers, Natural Parks and Habitat Preserves provide education on the native flora and fauna of Los Angeles County, while four arboreta and botanic gardens introduce visitors to plants from throughout the world  The department also features the world’s largest municipal golf course system, with 19 courses featuring beautiful vistas from the mountains to the sea.  Culture abounds at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre featuring emerging artists, while renowned entertainers are the mainstay at the world-famous Hollywood Bowl.  For more information about the Department of Parks and Recreation visit our website at: http://parks.lacounty.gov

 

                                                                         # # #