Multi-Benefit Stormwater Project from Concept to Design

The 55-acre Edward Vincent Jr. Park, named in honor of the City of Inglewood, California’s former councilman and first African American mayor, is the historic location of Centinela Creek and Centinela Springs. The public space includes several community amenities, such as baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, a soccer field, playgrounds, picnic areas, an open-air amphitheater, a pool complex, and several shade trees. It was identified in regional stormwater quality management plans as an ideal location for a regional stormwater capture project, capturing runoff from areas of Inglewood, Los Angeles, and unincorporated Los Angeles County.

In 2020, Woodard & Curran was contracted to conduct a feasibility study, funded by monies from Los Angeles County’s Safe, Clean Water Program (Measure W), to assess best management practices that would reduce pollutant loads and improve water quality. This process identified several stormwater management improvements to reduce pollutant loads in the Centinela Creek and Ballona Creek Estuary.

Centinela Springs and Artesian Wells hand-drawn inset on a map, printed in 1888 by Centinela Inglewood Land Company. Image sourced from the California State Library.

Honoring history and community through design

Originally, Centinela Creek meandered across this parcel of land, but as the area was developed, the creek was turned into an underground stormwater channel, now managed by Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD). Woodard & Curran and the City are honoring the nature of the land by creating a dry creek along the original route of Centinela Creek, starting at the historic Centinela Springs Memorial Fountain. This dry creek feature will capture stormwater runoff from the surrounding park space and convey it to a bioretention area where native plants and a sediment forebay will help reduce the pollutant loads and aid the natural treatment process. Another best management practice (BMP) incorporated into the design includes a diversion from the underground storm drain that conveys flows from the 857-acre drainage area tributary to the park, and sending the 85th percentile 24-hour storm volume into large infiltration chambers underneath the west side of the park. A cover will also be installed over an existing daylighted portion LACFCD storm drain to address safety issues, helping the storm drain blend with the bioretention area.

This design approach aims to meet Inglewood’s water quality goals and comply with regulatory requirements to address total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for pollutants in stormwater runoff. This includes reduction of metals, nutrients, trash, and bacteria. It is anticipated that the long-term performance of this project will reduce zinc and copper by more than 80 percent.

During the design process, Woodard & Curran facilitated four community workshops with the city. Each event was hosted at the Veterans Memorial Building adjacent to the park, providing opportunities for area residents to give input on the project. These workshops were presented alongside our landscape architect Pamela Burton & Company. This process informed the inclusion of new trails and pathways around the dry creek, as well as a flat field, nature play area, and new lighting. ADA guidelines were considered in designing these spaces to ensure accessibility for all park visitors. The project will also add new trees throughout to increase shade and educational signage to provide context on the stormwater improvements, watershed health, and historical significance of the site.

The outreach effort, led by Woodard & Curran, helped garner support from key community representatives and organizations, including collaborative work with community-based organization, Social Justice Learning Institute. Residents who attended community workshops also were provided opportunities to engage in the project development process and get excited about the planned community benefits.

Funding the multi-beneficial project

While some municipalities have established a stormwater utility program and associated user fees, most communities across the country do not have a dedicated revenue source for stormwater to fund projects of this scale. In addition to the $300,000 secured to fund the feasibility study, Inglewood received an additional $4.2 million under Measure W to fund the design phase of this significant, multi-benefit project. Woodard & Curran’s fiscal solutions team supported the pursuit for this funding, and helped with the latest request for approximately $28.5 million for project implementation, engineering services during construction, environmental compliance, public outreach during construction, and project administration. In addition to the requested local Measure W funding, the City is receiving funding from Caltrans, contributing local match in collaboration with funding partner Los Angeles County Public Works, and pursuing other grant opportunities.

Construction is currently slated to start by the end of 2026, with project completion anticipated by mid-2028.