CityofSantaBarbara
Source: City of Santa Barbara
The City recently installed a new footbridge from Las Positas Road into the Arroyo Burro Open Space as part of the Creeks Division’s Arroyo Burro Open Space Restoration Project. The bridge is currently closed, and will officially open once the Las Positas/Modoc Road Multi-use Path is completed, likely in early January.
Phase II – Restoration and Trail Improvement Project
Phase II of restoration at the Arroyo Burro Open Space began in June 2021. Project elements include restoration improvements along Arroyo Burro and the Campanil drainage (a tributary to Arroyo Burro), the creation of formal trail routes, and the installation of a pedestrian bridge over the creek that will connect park visitors to Las Positas Road and the multi-use path currently under construction.
The project will include the planting of over 2,600 native container plants, including 350 native trees and additional arroyo willow stakes. The restoration of this important habitat will benefit wildlife species and improve park aesthetics on site for public enjoyment.
For more information on the project, contact Creeks Restoration Planner Erin Markey.
Phase I Restoration
The designed to improve creek water quality and habitat conditions through the restoration of floodplain habitat, removal of non-native vegetation, and stabilization of eroding creek banks.
Portions of the creek banks were re-graded to create floodplain habitat, reduce stream bank erosion, and improve riparian habitat for native species.
Locally sourced native plants were installed to re-vegetate disturbed areas and to improve habitat diversity along this portion of Arroyo Burro.
Funding for this restoration effort has been generously supported by the California Coastal Conservancy and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
View a June 2018 Inside Santa Barbara television segment on the project.
PROPERTY ACQUISITION
In February 2016 the Parks and Recreation Department and Creeks Division collaborated with the Trust for Public Land to acquire the former “Veronica Meadows” development site.
Acquisition of this 14.7 acre parcel in the Las Positas Valley along Arroyo Burro creates a major new open space park offering passive recreation opportunities for current and future generations of residents and visitors alike.
Funding for the $4 million purchase was made possible with City Council approval of $2.7 million in Measure B (Creeks Division) funds, and $1.3 million in grant funding from the California Natural Resources Agency‘s Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program ($500,000), State Coastal Conservancy ($500,000) and Santa Barbara County’s Coastal Resources Enhancement Fund ($300,000).
