More than four acres of an abandoned industrial area used for smelting precious metals in El Monte, Calif., was cleaned up and transformed into Gibson Mariposa Park, a butterfly-themed park that features a splash pad, play structures, basketball courts, a butterfly habitat and an outdoor classroom.

Residents of El Monte, Calif., had long envisioned more than four acres of an unused industrial space, once a smelting factory for precious metals, as a neighborhood park. Fifth-graders from Shirpser Elementary, a nearby school, wrote letters to the El Monte mayor and city council urging them to build a park, and the city agreed. The students sent their requests on butterfly-shaped paper, and with the assistance of neighbors and community leaders, Gibson Mariposa, an innovative "butterfly park,' was born in 2011.

The city of El Monte worked closely with landscape architecture firm David Evans and Associates, Inc., and Amigos de los Rios, a stewardship organization that oversees the East Los Angeles County Emerald Necklace park network, to develop a community-based design that would transform the site.

The city, its partners, and the Trust for Public Land raised more than $8 million dollars from California State Parks, the local state conservancy (RMC), and the County Open Space District to acquire the land, clean and remediate the site and build Gibson Mariposa Park. This project is a milestone for the El Monte community, which has historically had a deficit of parkland and recreation facilities.

The entry sign for Gibson Mariposa, which features a caterpillar that transforms into the park's plethora of butterflies, was custom made from reinforced concrete (Quick Crete Products).

Design
Upon completion of the master plan, the landscape architect began preparing the design development and final construction documents for the project. Due to limited funding, the landscape architect also provided guidance on how to structure the construction contract and phasing of the project.

Significant community outreach and public relations were necessary to ensure the input of local residents and children were considered and incorporated during the project. The landscape architect also provided construction management services and coordination with design subconsultants. The selected theme is on full display throughout the various park sections, which include a butterfly habitat, splash pad, playground, picnic areas, basketball courts, outdoor classroom and stage, restrooms, parking, and open play areas.

Low-flow spray fixtures shaped like butterflies, flowers and leaves are a highlight of the park's splash pad. Additional features include ground geysers, water cannons, rooster tails and water tunnels. The water drains into a leach field located in the center of the main lawn area, which ties into an onsite drainage system to capture the site's runoff.

The project's intent was to create a 4.5-acre facility that exemplified sustainable design principles and outlined a new model for municipal park design featuring a butterfly habitat, culturally relevant outdoor educational areas and innovative play spaces for children of all ages.

Features
Through the work of the landscape architect and non-profit environmental and community advocacy groups, Gibson Mariposa Park is a tribute to butterflies. The theme is reflected in signature design elements. The park's entry monument resembles a large caterpillar. Five 20'-25' wide canopies in the shape of butterflies and flowers offer shade to the play areas, and a community stage resembles a caterpillar-nibbled leaf. These features complement a new habitat for native drought-tolerant plants, which will attract and provide shelter to a wide variety of native California butterflies. These plants support biodiversity, conserve water and protect water quality. Informational kiosks educate visitors about butterflies and their habitat.

Features of the play structures (Kompan, Playworld) include swings, a climbing tower, sit-n-spins, various climbers and climbing nets, slides and play panels. Five 20'-25' wide canopies shaped like butterflies and flowers shade the play areas from the California sun.

The splash pad includes ground geysers, water cannons, rooster tails, water tunnels and low-flow spray fixtures shaped like butterflies, and flowers and leaves above approximately 3,850 square feet of custom-designed flower-shaped concrete surfacing.

The park also incorporates green strategies, including more than 20,000 square feet of permeable pavers (Acker-Stone) in the plaza and parking lot. An onsite leach field facilitates water percolation and ground water recharge; park amenities such as picnic tables, benches and trash receptacles make use of recycled materials.

Approximately 95 percent of the playground equipment is ADA accessible and installed in either engineered wood fiber or poured-in-place rubber surfacing. One of the two net climbers (Berliner) was placed in a sand play area.