by Heather Lebus

	Tidelands Park-- located literally on the ocean's edge in Morro Bay, California-- has become a local as well as a tourist's destination for community recreation in a nautical setting. This 3-acre, linear site, adjacent to a commercial fishermen's launch, was once a dirt overflow parking area for boat trailers and assorted trucks and cars.
	Concrete porpoises and seals bob from the sand terraces and provide great climbing and lounging opportunities for young and old alike. A large breaching whale's tail extends from the uppermost wave terrace, and has become a favorite roost for tourist photos.
	The custom-made concrete porpoises and Pirate Ship were designed by the Landscape Architects and formed on-site by the contractor, Complete Development Services, Inc. The stern of the ship sits on top of a 10" layer of washed plaster sand and a compacted subgrade. A 3 x 12 foot wooden deck is also integrated into the design for adventurous children roaming about this play structure.

The Prime Consultant-- the Fullerton, CA-based Landscape Architecture firm of Purkiss Rose-RSI, which specializes in parks and recreation design-- was hired to develop a master plan and construction documents to transform this forgettable site into an unforgettable local resource. A nautical theme was based upon a series of concrete wave terraces which rolled into the created sand harbor with a docked sailing ship. The descending sand terraces-- formed by curved concrete wave-shaped walls-- evoked not only a feeling of oncoming waves from the ship's bow, but also created an interesting overview pattern from the blufftop houses looking down on the park. Distant swells of turf beyond the wave terraces contributed to the sea-like effect.

Project Manager Steve Lang, ASLA, explains, "Our design philosophy was rooted in the fact that this space was truly like no other place. Its unique setting along the edge of the natural harbor-- backdropped by the sand spit and towering Morro Rock looming up out of the Pacific Ocean-- were dramatic elements that had to be recognized and incorporated into the park design. Our design had to 'fit' the natural, nautical setting it found itself in."

Since the park was within the 1000' coastal zone, the proposed park development had to be reviewed and approved by the California Coastal Commission. The impacts on adjacent homeowners overlooking the site was a major concern which affected the proposed passive recreation facilities, material and color selection, and placement of facilities. For example, the nearby homeowners were opposed to any play area that resembled "traditional" play equipment areas. They did not want any improvements that looked foreign, or that caused a distraction from their "million dollar" ocean views. Another environmental concern was the addition of security lighting to the area. A requirement of most parks, the lighting had to be positioned to avoid impacting the overlooking homes, as well as boats approaching the coastline. Low, louvered type bollards were selected to light the promenade ground plane, but not the greater area.

The hardscape around the play area was stylized to reflect a coastal shoreline. The texture of the concrete was heavy power-washed to reveal sand and gravel base. Large rock boulder outcroppings were added to the slab to further reinforce the coastline theme. Wood pilings with wood planks provide a pier-like approach to the custom-made concrete ship. This ship-- which sports wooden masts, steel cable rigging, cannon ports, an anchor, and walking planks-- has been used in other park settings with great success. In addition, a companion Timberform ship by Columbia Cascade provides full access for wheelchair visitors and small children via a sand-colored, poured-in-place, rubberized beach, and dark-colored rubberized ship deck. Concrete porpoises and seals bob from the sand terraces and provide great climbing and lounging opportunities for young and old alike. A large breaching whale's tail extends from the uppermost wave terrace, and has become a favorite roost for tourist photos.

The remainder of the park offers family picnic tables and a promenade walk which connect to the nearby commercial embarcadero area and terminates at a deck overlooking the moored fishing boats. Another design element that relates to the greater Embarcadero theme is a heavy plank and piling stair structure that provides safe access from the neighborhood on the plateau to the shoreline park. In its weaving down the slope, the wooden stairway, patterned after a similar set of stairs along the Embarcadero, includes interpretive signage at feature lookout landings to point out key interests. At the southern edge of the project is a plaza area that is patterned after a nautical compass with points at different colored concrete radiating from a circular planter.

Plant material selection was based on plants that had proven to succeed in this primary coastal exposure. Salt tolerance, wind tolerance, and drought tolerance were all criteria that were considered when choosing the plant palette. There was great concern about any future mature trees blocking the views from the residences. This concern was obviously prompted by the mature dense stand of Eucalyptus trees that had been harmlessly imported decades before on the cliff top, and now was a visual barrier.

The few tree species that were approved by all the parties reviewing these plans included Pink Melaleuca, New Zealand Christmas Tree, Myoporum, and Coast Beefwood-- all trees that could take the coastal exposure and that could be thinned if necessary to preserve views from overlooking residences. Shrub and groundcover species tolerant of the seacoast conditions that were used included Carmel Creeper, Prostrate Myoporum, and Statice.

Lang enthuses, "The biggest challenge which I am most proud of is successfully making this park area 'fit' into the dramatic setting, and feel like it should be there-- especially after the initial opposition to the project. Making it attractive to both local and tourist families as a place to let the kids 'hit the high seas' was a goal that I happily see on each visit since its construction. There is a lot of fantasy play going on here. I especially get a kick out of the adults that are attracted to the sea lion and porpoise sculptures, and find themselves sitting on them for a photo opportunity."

Lang explains that the success of this project was in no small part due to Steve Wolters, the Director of Parks and Recreation, who initially challenged the firm to do something quite different, and was supportive throughout the design process. "He never lost the vision for something more, and it made all the difference in our design... he was really an ideal client." Project Landscape Architect Kerry Snyder concludes, "Tidelands Park is a great example of how even a small park can be developed to enhance the surrounding area and become a beloved community resource with a little imagination and support." lasn