What does “Ocean Friendly” mean?
“Ocean Friendly” Gardens are native and/or drought tolerant landscapes which have the capacity to capture, infiltrate, and utilize runoff from storm events. Ocean Friendly Gardens prevent contaminated water from reaching our waterways and, eventually, the ocean. The Ocean Friendly approach revolves around the principles of CPR – conservation, permeability, and retention, which all aim to conserve water while still creating aesthetically pleasing gardens.
West Basin’s Ocean Friendly Gardens
West Basin’s Ocean Friendly Gardens (OFG) program showcases the beauty and functionality of native and drought-tolerant landscapes.
In coordination with various community partners, West Basin has constructed 17 OFG demonstration projects in high-visibility locations throughout its service area. In addition to providing beautiful public spaces, these demonstration gardens are also used to conduct hands-on training classes where participants learn how to plan and build native landscapes at their homes and businesses.
All gardens include sustainability features that help capture rainwater and urban runoff, using it for recharge in the garden.
Drip irrigation and smart irrigation controller provide precise water needs to plants. This reduces water use and runoff as compared to traditional sprinkler irrigation.
- LOCATION: Carson, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2009
- IRRIGATION: Drip & Smart
- SQUARE FEET: 4,400
Gravel pathway captures rainwater from building downspout into underground drainage cells. Brochure located here.
- LOCATION: El Segundo, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2009
- IRRIGATION: Downspout & Cells
- SQUARE FEET: 1,200
Decomposed granite provides pathway through garden and reduces rain water runoff by infiltration ground.
- LOCATION: Inglewood, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2009
- YEAR PLANTED: 2011
- IRRIGATION: Ground Infiltration
- SQUARE FEET: 12,000
Permeable pathway captures rainwater for infiltration. There are six benches for seating.
- LOCATION: Carson, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2013
- IRRIGATION: Permeable Pavers
- SQUARE FEET: 2,300
A footbridge provides a walkway over swale. A gabion wall provides extra seating.
- LOCATION: Malibu, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2012
- IRRIGATION: Swale
- SQUARE FEET: 5,032
Boulders rip rap, and broken concrete provide stability to sloping hillside. Drought-tolerant plants were selected based on coastal conditions.
- LOCATION: Manhattan Beach, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2013
- IRRIGATION: Drip & Smart
- SQUARE FEET: 2,375
Rainwater downspouts from building directed into garden swale for natural irrigation.
- LOCATION: Carson, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2014
- IRRIGATION: Downspout & Smart
- SQUARE FEET: 6,500
Several swales capture rainwater off of steep, sloping roof. Concrete pathways invite visitors into the garden.
- LOCATION: Csulver City, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2014
- IRRIGATION: Drip & Smart
- SQUARE FEET: 2,332
Decomposed granite pathway allows students to walk to classes while providing a permeable surface for rainwater. Rainwater downspouts from building directed into garden swale for natural irrigation.
- LOCATION: Palos Verdes Estates, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2014
- IRRIGATION: Downspout & Smart
- SQUARE FEET: 33,00
Rainwater downspout from building directed into garden swale for natural irrigation.
- LOCATION: Hawthorne, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2014
- IRRIGATION: Downspout & Swale
- SQUARE FEET: 2,000
Gravel pathway captures rainwater from landscape on upper garden into underground drainage cells.
- LOCATION: Hermosa Beach, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2014
- IRRIGATION: Gravel & Cells
- SQUARE FEET: 1,200
Rainwater downspouts on building are directed into garden for natural irrigation.
- LOCATION: Gardena, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2015
- IRRIGATION: Downspout
- SQUARE FEET: 1,200
Rainwater downspouts on building are directed into garden for natural irrigation.
- LOCATION: Hermosa Beach, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2015
- IRRIGATION: Downspout
- SQUARE FEET: 3,628
- LOCATION: Inglewood, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2016
- IRRIGATION: Drip & Smart
- SQUARE FEET: 1,500
- LOCATION: Gardena, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2017
- IRRIGATION: Drip
- SQUARE FEET: 2,240
- LOCATION: West Hollywood, CA
- YEAR PLANTED: 2017
- IRRIGATION: Downspout
- SQUARE FEET: 2,000
