Restoration of the Giant Forest: Sequoia National Park, California

The facilities demolition phase at Giant Forest removed 282 buildings, over a million square feet of asphalt roads, parking lots and trails, restored 231 acres of forest land, rehabilitated two historic structures (museum and comfort station) and consolidated 18 parking lots down to four.

The National Park Service, Denver Service Center and DHM Design Corporation have prepared a case study of the restoration of Giant Forest Grove in Sequoia National Park, which was being severely damaged by traffic, groundwater pollution and hardscaping. This covers the challenges, successes and effects of tackling a multi-phase restoration project of significant national and cultural importance.

By Joanne H. Cody, ASLA, National Park Service and Leslie McGuire, managing editor

The original premise of the 1916 law regarding protection of the national parks was that they be preserved and enjoyed. However, there was a strong bias toward development. In the l920s there was large-scale development in Sequoia, and by the 1950s it was clear that the park had failed as a designed landscape. A small city catering to visitors had been built around and through the Giant Forest creating massive biological problems that were killing the trees. Visitor enjoyment was diminished by traffic congestion and lack of accessibility.

Before and After: Aging, dilapidated structures rested on the sequoias?EUR??,,????'??? shallow root systems, outdated utility systems leaked effluent into meadows and streams and abandoned campground pavement inhibited regeneration of the forest.

Awe-inspiring giant sequoia trees are among the largest living things on earth, but the opportunity to experience them is rare. Only 75 groves exist and only along the southern Sierra?EUR??,,????'???s western slope. Giant Forest Grove, one of the largest, was saved by the establishment of Sequoia National Park in 1890. However, the national park status did not fully protect the big trees. The road that brought visitors to Giant Forest also brought camping, cabins, commercial development and congestion, which damaged the shallow-rooted sequoias?EUR??,,????'??+their roots only go down about three feet. An early park superintendent, Colonel John Roberts White, recognized these problems over 70 years ago and vigorously toiled to protect the natural resources. While largely unsuccessful in clearing structures from Giant Forest, he did prevent additional development and set the stage for the eventual restoration of Giant Forest. ?EUR??,,????'??If we do not plan carefully and transfer the major part of the present activity away from the heart of the Giant Forest, the beauties of that area - already tarnished - will be further impaired.?EUR??,,????'??

The massive restoration effort to provide environmentally responsible, cost effective and appropriate development for Sequoia National Park established a precedent for removing development from key National Park landscapes. The design team was responsible for finding ways to protect the natural and cultural resources, including the removal of inappropriate development from the sequoia grove, mitigating historic damage to the sequoia forest, limiting future impacts through facility design and preserving key historic buildings. To provide for maximum visitor enjoyment, the plan completely redesigned the parking and transportation system, and ensured accessibility to key features with the implementation of a shuttle bus system to reduce congestion. Visitor lodging for overnight accommodations was relocated to Wuksachi Village, six miles away from Giant Forest. The plan also improved the efficiency of park operations by removing and/or replacing deteriorated utilities, stabilizing historic buildings and simplifying the snow removal process. All the while, it was critical that the work maintain the character of the treasured national park.

Round Meadow is the closest interpretation sequoia grove to the museum and was previously surrounded by visitor lodging.

Landscape architects managed this project from its inception and led a diverse team of architects, engineers, National Park Service natural resource and ecology specialists and exhibit and wayside planners throughout the process of planning, design, and construction. The landscape architect?EUR??,,????'???s role included programming, design development, restoration, design charettes, lodging plan, campground design, construction documents, project detailing (bridges, trails, site structures and site features) and field observation. Landscape architects were on-site to oversee restoration, place logs and boulders and other important site elements to mitigate the effects of development. Throughout planning and design, the landscape architects worked to create an integrated project that emphasized a seamless visitor experience. The design team spent over ten years redesigning and reconstructing the park to protect the forest and its special cultural and natural resources.

Before Giant Forest could be restored, a logical sequence of activities needed to occur with each major component supporting the others. Necessary visitor lodging and services had to be relocated to a less environmentally sensitive site before removals could begin. The new plan for overnight accommodation and all of the support services had to be sustainable and not impair park resources. Following removal of facilities, the damaged sites would not likely recover on their own. Science and planning worked together to counteract the impacts of humans and re-establish natural processes. The final step was to connect Giant Forest to the visitor. Shuttles, trails and the interpretive museum and bring visitors into the forest and provide opportunities for unforgettable experiences and deep understanding of the Sequoia ecosystem.

Giant sequoias only reproduce after fires, which had always occurred naturally. Fire, a critical component of that ecosystem, had been eliminated from the development zones. Prescribed burns and native plantings were necessary to restore beneficial bacteria, resources and systems.

There were three major components to achieving the mission of the project: (1) relocate overnight services to less sensitive locations; (2) remove most facilities and restore Giant Forest to a natural condition; and (3) bring visitors into Giant Forest for inspiration, enjoyment, and learning, without harming the resource.

Relocate Services

The new visitor lodging, Wuksachi Village relocated all overnight accommodations to a gently sloping site in a fir/pine forest with great views of the Sierras. The design consolidated visitor lodging into four separate terraces to preserve significant open space areas and protect sensitive natural resources and wildlife habitat. A system of accessible pedestrian trails connects all areas, links to the surrounding environment, and encourages visitors to leave their cars parked once they have arrived. The trails also double as service and emergency access. The concessionaire has built approximately 102 rooms and is in the process of constructing the second phase, which will include rustic cabin-style units reminiscent of Giant Forest lodging. Additionally, campsites were relocated and maintenance activities were moved to the Wuksachi Village area.

An interpretive Giant Forest Museum was converted from the historic Giant Tree Market in the village. It was stabilized, as was the other retained historic building, by creating stone bases to keep the buildings off the roots. The self-guided trail system was improved as well.

Remove Inappropriate Facilities

Demolition needed to occur in a manner that would not cause further damage to the forest system. Special construction techniques were developed to prevent soil compaction, protect significant trees and limit the size of construction equipment to minimize vegetation and tree root disturbance. Asphalt and concrete removed from demolition operations were recycled for use as base material for new roads and parking in subsequent phases.

The area around the Sherman tree was particularly impacted by parking and traffic congestion. Now this overlook is where shuttle buses deposit visitors since parking has been relocated 1/2 mile away on a previously disturbed site well out of the sequoia grove.

Convert Giant Forest to Day Use Activities

Hiking is the premier activity in Giant Forest. The 40-mile network of trails, which traverses the grove, offers seemingly endless combinations to encounter the magnificent giant trees. The final phase in 2005 will make several key trails accessible, improve signage and interpretation, eliminate redundant segments and rehabilitate aging trails.

Restore Natural Conditions

The goal of this critical effort was to return the forest structure and composition at the restoration sites to a condition similar to what it was prior to development. Suppression of fire had badly altered the forest to the point that a natural regeneration of the sites would have been inadequate. The restoration efforts included restoring soil conditions, planting locally native plants, erosion control and prescribed burning.

An area on the edge of the grove where picnicking could occur within a previously disturbed area was identified. It is now called Pinewood.

Giant Forest Museum

The museum, focus of the interpretation program at Giant Forest, is housed in the rehabilitated historic market structure. The museum is the entryway for visitors to the forest trail system and also serves to educate the public on the importance of protecting this significant resource for future generations. Limited parking was required near the facility and was placed in previous disturbed areas across the road.

General Sherman Tree

Visitors have the option of hiking directly to the Sherman Tree or taking the shuttle. The new parking area also serves as a staging area for shuttling throughout Giant Forest. This phase of the project is under construction and will be completed in 2005.

The General Sherman tree, at 25 centuries old is the largest living thing on earth and is the centerpiece of the Giant Forest Grove, which was saved in 1890 from being turned into grape stakes by the establishment of Sequoia National Park.

Pinewood Picnic Area

Picnicking is a popular park activity and needed to be accommodated near Giant Forest. If facilities were not provided, picnicking would occur at dispersed locations and invite bear problems. Pinewood was identified as an area on the edge of the grove where picnicking could occur within a previously disturbed area. Several group sites were constructed to accommodate the growing number of extended families visiting the park.

As funding has dwindled for our national parks, the challenge has been finding a way to continue the visitor experience without undue impact on the natural and cultural features of the park. It?EUR??,,????'???s a matter of our use outgrowing the facilities - parking spots are hard to find, roads are crowded and trails are deteriorating. Compaction and erosion issues are critical, and it will be a couple of decades before we know whether what we have attempted to accomplish has worked or not.

Boulders were used as retaining walls as well as to maintain the grade of paths and walkways that meander through the trees. Downed trees were repurposed for erosion control and as rails, benches, signage and boardwalks to protect the ecology of the meadows.

Post Script

The world?EUR??,,????'???s second largest tree, a giant sequoia known as the Washington tree, has suffered major damage in recent weeks due to heavy snow and strong winds. The Los Angeles Times reported on February 8, 2005, as this magazine was going to press, that the Washington tree may not live much longer. Standing more than 254 feet tall, with a base circumference of more than 101 feet, the tree is probably between 2,500 and 3,200 years old.

Campgrounds were removed, and the new Wuksachi Village visitor lodging was relocated to an existing, already disturbed site. Drainage was preserved by setting the new buildings on a terraced slope with rocks and boulders placed to soften the cut slope. Parking lot areas avoided the trees.

Sequoia National Park Credits

Project Manager: Ray Todd, Henry Espinosa and Mike Giller
Job Captain/Landscape Architect: Joanne Cody, Suzy Stutzman and Susan Spain
Landscape Architects: Mark Tabor, DHM- Bob Smith, Dick Marshall, Andrea Lind, Roger Burkart and Bill Neumann
Architects: Dave Battle, Tim Stacks, OZ architecture, EHDD and BRS
Exhibits Planner: Don Kodak and PJ Lewis
Wayside Designer: Rich Helman, Chad Beale, John Grabowska
Exhibit Designer: Howard Revis Design Services
Mechanical Engineers: Andy Roberts and Wray Kleihege
Electrical Engineer: Chuck Svoboda
Civil Engineer: Steve Bainbridge, Martin and Martin - Ray Tuttle, Bruce Haynes and Todd Bunker
Geotechnical: Mark Matheny
Cultural Resource Specialist: Frank Williss
Natural Resource Specialist: David Lee
Contracting Specialist: Terry Lang
Contracting Officer: Rod Keiscome
CADD: Dan Savage, Tom Zinke
Print and Repro: George Gilbert and Mike Middagh
Construction Management: Willie DeOcampo

Sequoia National Park Design Team:

Park Superintendent: Michael Tollefson, Dick Martin and Tom Ritter

Chief of Interpretation: Bill Tweed
Chief of Maintenance: Scott Ruesch
Resource Management Specialist: Jeff Manley
Project Coordinator: Jack Vance
Ecologist: Athena Demetry and Rich Thiel
Interpretive Specialist: Malinee Crapsey
Budget Analyst: Joan Russell
Facility Manager: Paul Slinde
District Ranger: Tom Tschohl
CCM: Peggy Williams
Trails Supervisor: Steve Moffit
Trail Crew Leader: Tyler Johnson