MIRA MONTE ELEMENTARY
Ojai, California

Project Background:
As a result of a bond measure voted on by residents of the local community, Ojai Unified School District (OUSD) has recently begun an overhaul of their facilities district-wide. Mira Monte Elementary was prioritized as the first of many campus upgrades because of several factors preventing proper recreation use for students and the local community.

Design:
Stormwater flooding and excessive run-off, rodent infestation, uneven ground and dead turf caused the underutilization of this (potentially) highly valuable space. OUSD enlisted PCLD’s support services for preliminary design through construction administration of the project that ultimately reduced overall irrigated turf area by 55%, targeting the new turf area for play and sports use that features a new irrigation system with modern and efficient distribution equipment and rotor spray heads. The field renovation also doubles as a pilot project for district-wide irrigation control upgrades, allowing for weather responsive watering schedules and water-use visibility and management for all facilities. The redesign also features a new ¼ mile track that borders the new turf area for school and community after hours use, two practice baseball fields, two U10 soccer fields, the protection of existing tree canopy and the addition of 23 native trees, stormwater mitigation that prevents the previous flow of stormwater onto the adjacent asphalt play area, and a new community connection to the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy trail system. Since the completion of the project, PCLD has begun assisting the district with three more turf renovation projects at other district campuses, targeting the reduction in overall irrigated turf area and the enhancement of landscape value for both school and community recreational use.