Oxford Retention Basin and Pump Station Multi-Use Enhancement Project

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

The Oxford Retention Basin and Pump Station Multi-Use Enhancement Project (Project) is located in Marina del Rey, a prime recreational destination in a highly urbanized area of Los Angeles County. With community and stakeholder support, the existing retention facility was transformed into a multi-use, park-like environment. Because the basin is a flood control retention facility that provides important flood protection to the surrounding low-lying community, the Project’s primary objective was to improve flood risk management. The challenge was how to achieve this objective through a multi-benefit approach that would maximize other possible benefits and transform the existing flood control facility into a more valuable asset to the Marina del Rey community. Public engagement was vital in this process to ensure that the community’s needs were understood and taken into consideration while keeping flood control and public safety as the drivers of design. The project successfully demonstrates how public works agencies can incorporate recreational uses into operational facilities.