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The Park Above Oso Creek: Norman Murray Community and Senior Center
The Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center in Mission Viejo, Calif. (south Orange County) opened its doors May 1, 1989 to serve a population in this master planned community that then had about 71,000 residents. Since that time, the population of Mission Viejo has grown to almost 100,000. The center had become undersized and dated. The center primarily focused on senior services, but needed to offer services for the entire community. In March 2000, city leaders expressed the need to expand the center and its community programs.
The concrete bollards (Wausau Tile) give an interesting symmetry to the plaza entrance. Top Photo By RJM DESIGN - Bottom Photo by Guy Nelson
Community Outreach A design task force was formed and numerous workshops held. The task force toured other facilities and surveys were sent out to various groups soliciting their input. The project was brought before the city?EUR??,,????'?????<
The Expansion The result of this initiative was a 13,500 sq. ft. expansion of the center, more than doubling the original 11,000 sq. ft. The building was refurbished and the entire center updated with the latest audio and video equipment. All of these improvements were completed while the center remained open to the public.
The project also included significant improvements to the site and surrounding park. Some of these improvements included: two new soccer fields, an expanded parking lot, outdoor seating areas, scenic walkways, a Veterans Memorial Wall, and a new children?EUR??,,????'?????<
Coincidentally, the opening of the new center coincided with the city?EUR??,,????'?????<
Now with the expansion complete, the Norman Murray Community and Senior Center is a central location in the city where anyone of any age can go and connect to the community and participate in a variety of events and classes, or just sit and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.
The Center was previously focused on seniors, but now the center and park serve all ages. The playground, of course, is a nice addition for the nearby residents with children. The playground sits on bluff just below the Center. Spectraturf poured-in-place rubber surfacing protects the young ones and Miracle Recreation play equipment provides the fun. Top Photo by Guy Nelson - Bottom Photo by RJM DESIGN
Environmentally-Friendly Components/Enhancements Because the center is located above Oso Creek, which flows directly into the ocean, the city wanted to make sure that urban site runoff was properly treated. Stormwater is directed into bioswales that absorb pollutants as the water flows through them. These bioswales are focal points of the landscape and draw attention.
The landscape contains a collection of drought-responsive grasses and succulents. The landscape was also strategically designed so that turf was only placed where the public will use it.
The irrigation system was designed to use reclaimed water and is connected to the city?EUR??,,????'?????<
The ?EUR??,,????'?????< Photos by Guy Nelson
The entire building was retrofitted with energy-efficient in lighting, motion sensors and the HVAC system. The building design maximized natural lighting with skylights. A recycling program includes recycling containers and a used-battery-drop-off location. The center also distributes literature about the city?EUR??,,????'?????<
The center is also designated as the main hub for the city?EUR??,,????'?????<
Value Engineering The city wanted to improve the look of the center and ensure the expansion and existing building architecture were complementary. Considerable care was given to minimizing costs. Value engineering gave particular attention to alternative designs, and developing systems that created high efficiency with regard to energy consumption and physical maintenance. The project budget was $15,700,000, which included the expansion, exterior park improvements and refurbishing the building. The project funded came from the city?EUR??,,????'?????<
The innovative design saved the city thousands of dollars in labor costs. There were also a number of days that local residents volunteered to plant thousands of plants provided by the city throughout the park planting zones.
Various mosaic-tile art works are on display on the bluff side of Oso Creek Trail. The larger mosaic, (second photo from bottom) by Dru Corttrell, is on a lower trail. A whimsical touch is added with statuary of girls in playful gymnastic poses (bottom). Photos by Guy Nelson - Statue Photo by RJM DESIGN
A Community Gathering Place Prior to the center?EUR??,,????'?????<
The Creek Side Terrace sits above the trail. The water feature runs down the rock creek (bioswale) and under the bridge. Stormwater is directed into the rocky, vegetated bioswales. The bioswales are focal points in the landscape and meant to draw attention. Photos by Guy Nelson
New Public Amenities
RJM DESIGN GROUP Founded in 1987, RJM Design Group, Inc. is a planning and landscape architecture firm with a talented team of planners, architects, landscape architects, and LEED accredited professionals. The firm believes quality design is the physical expression of fundamentally sound ideas, infused with imagination and creativity. The firm?EUR??,,????'?????<
Larry Ryan is one of the founding principals. During his twenty-eight years of experience, Mr. Ryan has been involved with a wide variety of planning and landscape architectural projects that range from master planned communities to neighborhood parks. His project involvement encompasses all phases of development, including concept formulation, design development, agency processing, and construction implementation. Mr. Ryan?EUR??,,????'?????<
Keith Rattay Keith Rattay is a licensed California landscape architect and has been employed by the city of Mission Viejo for over 14 years. Keith was educated at Purdue University in West Lafayette Indiana. Keith currently serves as the city?EUR??,,????'?????<
The cabana seating on the Orchard Terrace has digital art. Much of the site furniture?EUR??,,????'?????< Photos by Guy Nelson
Project Team City of Mission Viejo, Calif.
Kelly Doyle, Director of Community and Recreational Services Keith Rattay, Director of Public Services David Cendejas, Project Manager
Landscape Architect RJM Design Group, Inc., San Juan Capistrano Larry Ryan
Architect Architect + Associates, Newport Beach, Calif. Robert Coffee, Reggie Wilson, Jean Stolzman
Construction Manager Kenneth Friess & Associates, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Ken Friess
Civil Engineer MCE Consultants, Ladera Ranch, Calif. Rich Moore, Tom Carcelli
Contractor Douglas Barnhart, Inc., San Diego
Vendors
Raleigh, North Carolina
Francisco Uviña, University of New Mexico
Hardscape Oasis in Litchfield Park
Ash Nochian, Ph.D. Landscape Architect
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