Sepulveda Basin Vision Plan

The Sepulveda Basin Vision Plan reimagines the future of the more than 2,000-acre flood basin in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. For the surrounding communities, the basin already serves as a hub for many local recreational activities as well as a biodiversity hot-spot, and a haven for reduced urban heat island effects. The Vision Plan builds on these existing elements and proposes to make the basin an even greater asset for the communities and the region.

 The plan is based on a nearly two-year community-based process and needs assessment which resulted in proposed designs that can be implemented in phases, maximizing opportunities and access for recreational uses enhancing natural habitats, wildlife areas, and water quality throughout the basin, LA River, and its tributaries.

 The objectives of the Vision Plan include increasing resilience of the basin and nearby neighborhoods, increasing the ecosystem’s function using nature-based strategies, as well as creating a natural function of the LA River and tributaries. Additionally, the plan proposes improving the interface between recreation and ecological areas, including water quality of streams and outlets entering the basin, enhancing multi-modal transportation access to and within the basin, and revamping recreational, educational, and cultural programming.

Location
San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, CA

Owner
City of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works, Bureau of Engineering

Status
In Progress

External Links
View the Public Draft
Daily News Article

Awards
2025, American Planning Association, Los Angeles Chapter, Award of Excellence in Urban Design

2024, American Institute of Architects California Chapter, Merit Award for Urban Design

2024, World Landscape Architecture, Honor Award, Conceptual Design - Analysis and Planning

2024, American Society of Landscape Architects, Pennsylvania-Delaware Chapter, Honor Award for Analysis and Planning

Key Team Members
Jessica M. Henson, Partner
Chi-Tsai Liu, Associate
Nate Wooten, Associate
Sarah Swanseen, Senior Landscape Architect
Jonathan Franklin, Landscape Designer
Evangeline Sheridan, Landscape Designer
Kate Lawler, Visual Communications Manager