On April 26th, 2022, Metropolitan Water conducted a public hearing where they adopted a resolution declaring a water shortage emergency. In efforts to conserve water, the District implemented a turf removal plan in FY 2021-2022 to align with the District's 2021-2026 Stragetic Plan. Six parks were identified for turf replaced with drought tolerant landscape for a total of 235,000 sq ft.  

The turf removal projects incorporate best practices in the design of District park space and the selection of materials to reduce environmental impacts and promote drought-tolerant landscapes.  Each site has been carefully designed with functionality, drought tolerance, and maintenance in mind. At each site where turf is being removed, there should be little impact to programming and active use.

The removal of turf in these areas will have little impact to the use of these parks. Staff has estimated that the District will save around 3,770 HCF (2,800,000 gallons) of water per year, by eliminating turf throughout these parks.

To date, we continue efforts to replace turf in accordance with Be Water Wise.

Turf Mitigation Replacement

Each area of turf will be replaced with a variety of materials. In most areas staff will use a combination of woodchips and decomposed granite. Select areas will be planted with walkable ground cover and there will be drought tolerant plants throughout the landscape. Staff will redesign and install the irrigation to each area and use a combination of low flow spray nozzles, drip irrigation, and subterranean irrigation to eliminate runoff and evaporation.

Parks & Status

More Resources and Information on Water Conservation

Metropolitan Water District

Camrosa

City of Camarillo

Be Water Wise