Big Basin - Design Alternatives Oct 2024 - A Design Alternatives

R E I M A G I N I N G

BIG BASIN REDWOODS STATE PARK

Facilities Management Plan DESIGN ALTERNATIVES SUMMER 2024

Alternatives Approach & Design Concepts Introduction The Big Basin Redwoods Facilities Management Plan (BBFMP) is the park plan to guide future rebuilding of recreational facilities at Big Basin Redwoods State Park after the CZU Fire according to the Reimagining Big Basin Vision Summary completed in 2022. The BBFMP includes the development of conceptual alternatives to evaluate distinctive strategies for site configuration and use. The alternatives reflect analysis of opportunity sites and their capacity balanced with an understanding of visitor services and operational needs as summarized in the Basis of Design, as well as feedback received from the community and multiple project working groups. This document summarizes the programmatic approach to three parkwide alternatives that will be explored and refined in the next phase of BBFMP development. Also included in this document are site design strategies explored in each alternative for four key areas of the park: 1. Saddle Mountain Gateway 2. Main Day Use Area (Former Headquarters) 3. Little Basin 4. Overnight Area (Huckleberry, Wastashi, and Lower Sky Meadow) Finally, this document includes a summary of the evaluation criteria that will be used to choose a preferred site planning approach, a description of climate adaptation considerations, and overview of alternatives that were not cosnsidered.

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Parkwide Considerations Collectively, the sites and destinations within Big Basin must work together to meet the needs of park visitors and staff. The three alternatives are presented as a collective vision for parkwide organization. While the approach is varied, all three alternatives offer a similar level of development and distribution of visitor amenities and operational space that is consistent with anticipated needs.

The goal with each alternative is to provide the types of visitor experiences including day-use and camping that were available to park visitors prior to the 2020 CZU Fire. Changes to locations of site features and modifications to site circulation have been suggested; however, general capacity for amenties, such as camping, day-use hiking and picnicking, interpretive programming, and concessions are anticipated to be similar to pre-CZU Fire levels.

Similarly, it is anticipated that staff facilities, including permanent and temporary residences, offices, storage, and operational yards and shops will remain at relatively the same capacity, although there is a focus to minimize development footprints where possible.

Opportunity Sites The summaries, diagrams, and matrices on the following pages outline the programmatic elements of each opportunity site.

Collectively, the summaries demonstrate the general distribution of uses throughout Big Basin to be evaluated in each alternative.

Following the parkwide alternative descriptions are a series of conceptual site plans for key sites that demonstrate potential solutions for accomodating programmatic elements there.

Preferred Alternative The three alternatives are similar in the scale of their development and programs they accommodate. However, there are some key differences among the alternatives in terms of distribution of program throughout the park, which has an impact on park operations, visitor experiences, staff residential options, as well as capital and operating costs. These factors will be evaluated by California State Parks with consideration of public input and further technical assessments, and a Preferred Alternative will be selected based the evaluation criteria that are summarized in this document.

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Alternatives Summary Alternative 1

Common Characteristics In accordance with overall project goals and the Guiding Principles, as well as operational needs, there are some characteristics that are consistent between the three alternatives, including: • Primary Overnight Area: Main campgrounds for car camping, cabins, and RVs will be relocated out of Former Headquarters to Wastahi, Huckleberry, Lower Sky Meadow, and Little Basin. Walkin and bike-in camping will be expanded to new areas on Lower Lodge Road, which will be closed to vehicular use.

• Restoration of Former Headquarters and Old Growth: The overall footprint of development within the Former HQ will be reduced by approximately 50% allowing for enhancement of redwood habitat and restoration of natural water flow, which is a primary park goal.

• Building Style and Performance: Priority for all buildings will be fire resiliency, energy efficiency, and reverence for place and history of the park.

• Staff Housing: Emphasis will be on providing space that allows for the park community to be supported while balancing the need for temporary workers and residences near key facilities.

• Mixed Tribal Use Space at Little Basin: All alternatives include a Mixed Tribal Use Space for shared use and cultural awareness of Indigenous people.

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“Saddle Mountain Gateway” KEY IDEAS Most facilities for park operations and visitor contact are at Saddle Mountain. The Visitor Center is a statement for the Park and is designed to maintain large numbers of visitors, and serves as the hub of park activity.

ARRIVAL EXPERIENCE All visitors begin their journey through a controlled and welcoming gateway at Saddle Mountain, where there are some day-use activities and interpretive facilities as well as a clear orientation to visit the Main Day Use Area in the old growth core.

GETTING AROUND Parking is very limited in the Main Day Use Area. During peak season, most visitors will park at Saddle Mountain or Scotts Valley and get to the Main Day Use area on internal park shuttles, busses, and hiking or riding on enhanced trail connections.

PLACES TO LEARN A robust and iconic visitor center at Saddle Mountain is the hub for learning and interpretative programs, including generous indoor exhibit space. There is also a small interpretive pavilion and outdoor exhibit in the Main Day Use Area.

STAFF RESIDENCES AND PARK OPERATIONS A mix of housing types are provided in a coherent village at or near Saddle Mountain. The community accommodates seasonal staff as well as career professionals and their families. Park Operations & Maintenance facilities are nearby.

Alternative 2

Alternative 3

“Many Connected Experiences”

“Distinct Sites and Experiences”

There are multiple entries to the park without one central touch point. Visitors are self-directed and have different opportunity points to “check-in” with park staff based on their activity or to visit smaller sites unguided.

Most visitors are directed to one of the core use areas that have self-contained recreational options.

Most visitors will stop at Saddle Mountain to park and get information about visiting and moving between a wide range of visitor experiences througout the park. Once visitors are oriented, they will be on their way to explore other destinations.

Saddle Mountain serves as the primary visual transition to the park but has a smaller facility that more visitors may pass through on their way to other destinations.

Visitors can park at Saddle Mountain and enjoy frequent internal shuttles to seamlessly move about the park among well connected sites. It is easy for visitors to experience many destinations in the park without driving a private vehicle.

Offers the most parking spaces in the Main Day Use Area but is still reduced from historic levels. More facilities and visitor experiences distributed throughout the park reduces peak parking demand in a single area.

In addition to the visitor center at Saddle Mountain, smaller outposts for interpretation including noncontact interpretive displays at numerous locations throughout the park are prioritized.

With the goal of strengthening the redwood experience, facilities for interpretive programs within the Overnight Area and Little Basin are prioritized. The visitor contact building in the Main Day Use Area also includes indooroutdoor formal exhibition space.

Staff housing is located near Saddle Mountain as well as other locations throuhgout the park to suit varied needs and preference of staff and their families.

Operations & Maintenance facilities are augmented in the Overnight Area.

Staff housing is distributed throughout the park. The distributed residences increase park monitoring and emergency response capacity.

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Opportunity Area Saddle Mountain Gateway Norabella Property Horse Corral Site Eastridge Trailhead Gate House Little Basin* Sempervirens Campground Blooms Creek Campground Jay Camp Former HQ Sequoia North Escape Road Huckleberry Wastahi Lower Sky Meadow Rogers Road Upper Sky Meadow Upper Lodge Road Area Mortensen

Vi si In tor/ W te C Pa rpre eenlcteo rk ti rm Ca Sto ve E e C m re xh en ib te Ra pg its r ng rou Ca er nd m In C E p fo h

Alternative 1 Program Matrix

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* Facilities at Little Basin are contingent on Fire Marshal approval.

6 SUMMER 2024

En pfir or he e m ck v M iron Cen atio -In ixe m t n Pic d T ent er n ri a Pic ic A bal l Ed n r U a Pu ic A ea(s se S nd/o p b r ) r Sh lic R ea(s (Lar ace Ste ge wa u e ) rd Tr ttle stro (Sm ) sh ail St om al l ip ) La hea op Tr rg d ain Sm e D in g a a Fa Eq ll D y-U s cil ue ay e ity In str -U Pa di ia se rki In vid n P Pa ng di ua a rk L Gr vidu l Te rkin ing ots ou a n g Lo ts Ca p S l RV t Sit bi ite Sit es es W ns s alk Op /Bik e M erat -In ain io C 1- ten ns B am 2 a u p M Perm nce ildi ing ul F ng Se tiple ane acil (O a ffi u n it ce Sp son nit t Sta y s, a s ike l S o ff M ee W C ta f P Res at am ff e tin i de r H e m g Ele r/S p ou a nc Ro sin nen es ct ew om Re ric er g t St s, sto ity In a St fra ff ra or Ho str tio ag uc us n e, in tu Et g re c.)

Primary Visitor Facilities

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Parking

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Camping Operations Utilities

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Alternative 1 Program Diagram In this alternative, Saddle Mountain serves as the main hub for park activities, providing a central starting point for most visitors and the core of park operations. The key features and priorities of this alternative are as follows:

North Escape Restoration

VISITOR ORIENTATION Visitor Center Complex: A large complex located at Saddle Mountain to help orient visitors.

Former Headquarters

Park Shuttle Program: A shuttle service transports visitors from their parking spot at Saddle Mountain, to the Main Day Use Area, which has limited parking, available by reservation.

Small Visitor Contact Building

MAIN DAY USE AREA Minimal Footprint: This area is designed to maintain a contemplative atmosphere, with minimal development to encourage visitors to move through the old growth trees rather than congregate in a central location.

Public Restroom

~50 Parking Spaces & ~7 Fifteen-minute Spaces Restoration

OVERNIGHT AREA AND LITTLE BASIN Small Footprint Campsites: Slightly fewer campsites are available in these areas compared to other alternatives, with a smaller overall footprint to minimize environmental impact.

Walk-in Sites: These sites along Lodge Road require a longer hike or bike ride to access, ensuring a more secluded experience.

Campfire Center: Evening programs are available at Campfire Centers located at Lower Sky Meadow and Little Basin for overnight guests.

PARK OPERATIONS Saddle Mountain Operations: The primary operations of the park are centered at Saddle Mountain, separated from visitor activities.

Norabella Village: Nearby Norabella serves as the residential area for park staff, functioning as a “village” for park employees.

Shuttle Stop

Day-Use Check-in

Camping Check-in

Overnight Facility

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HOUSING SUMMARY

PAR

Rogers Road ~2 Group Campsites

Restoration

Upper Sky Meadow ight Area ern v O

~40 Overnight Parking Spaces ~5-10 Tent Campsites Public Restroom with Potable Water

Lower Sky Meadow

Upper Lodge Road ~20-40 Tent Campsites

~ 72 Car Camping Sites

Wastahi

~14 Tent Campsites

Camp Store

Mortensen

~20 Parking Spaces

Campfire Center

Restoration

~38 Parking Spaces

Huckleberry Sequoia

Visitor Contact Building ~36 Cabins

~2 Group Campsites

~16 Car Camping Sites ~10 RV Sites ~8 Tent Campsites

Horse Corral Restoration

~8 Parking Spaces

Norabella North ~24 Residences with cohousing

Sempervirens Blooms Creek + Jay Campgrounds

Restoration

Eastridge + Gatehouse

Restoration

Saddle Mountain + Norabella South

Equestrian Parking

Large Visitor Center

Park Store

~120-150 parking spaces

Little Basin ~14 Cabins

Stewardship Training Facility with Loding for 30 people

Primary Operation & Maintenance Faciltiy

~6 Residences

~42 Car Camping Sites ~1 Group Campsite

Campfire Center

Mixed Tribal Use Building

Primary Admin Offices

~20 Parking Spaces

RKING SUMMARY

CAMPING SUMMARY

O&M SUMMARY SUMMER 2024

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Saddle Mountain Alternative 3 Saddle Alternative 1 Mountain Alternative 1

LF

Staff Housing

(16) 1-Bedroom Apartments in (2) 2-Story Buildings

LF

Staff Housing

Landscape Screening Both Sides of Old Big Basin Road Screening Landscape Both Sides of Old Big Basin Road Landscape Screening Both Sides of Old Big Basin Road

(16) 1-Bedroom Apartments in (2) 2-Story Buildings

Staff Housing Staff Housing

(8) 3-Bedroom Single Family Homes (3) 3-Bedroom Single Family Homes

Staff Housing

(8) 3-Bedroom Single Family Homes

Y

H W Y 23 23 6 6

LF

Staff Community Amenity Staff Community Amenity

23 6

H

W

LF

Y

Landscape Screening Along Highway 236

H

W

LF

Staff Housing

Landscape Screening (6) 1-Bedroom Apartments Along 236 in a (2)Highway Story Building Landscape Screening

ad Ro n i d s oa Ba g in R Bi as ld O ig B ad B Ro ld sin O a B g Bi ld O

Landscape Screening Along Highway 236 Possible Crosswalk

LF

6ue

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Ca

Outdoor Gathering

& IRPG Helicopter Landing

H

& IRPG Helicopter Landing

Visitor Center

H

LF

SWP

Level 1: Gathering Parking for ShuttleHall, Kitchen, Office (5k SF) Level 2: (14) Bedroom Check-In KioskSuites (5k SF) LF LF

le

LF

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Li

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LF SWP SWP

140 Stalls

Lookout Loop

Parking for Shuttle

Elevated Deck

Lookout Loop

Small Day-Use Area

Up Up pe pe rR rR ed ed w w w oo oo oo d d d Tr Tr Tr ai ai ai l l l

Elevated Deck

Comfort Station

LF

Comfort Station

Re d

LF

er

0

Up p

Ops, Maintenance, & Admin Visitor / Cultural Building

10

StaffMaintenance, Housing Ops, & Admin Visitor / Cultural Building Vehicular Paving Staff Housing Ops, Maintenance, & Admin Pedestrian Surfacing Vehicular Paving Staff Housing Pedestrian Surfacing Vehicular Paving Pedestrian Surfacing

Approx. 12 Workstations (3.5k SF)

Maintenance Shops, Material Storage, Covered Vehicle Storage (8k SF) 140 Stalls Parking for Shuttle

Accessed

by Trail Parking Short-Term

Visitor / Cultural Building

Administrative Building O&M Building & Yard

SWP

Contemplation Piers 30 Stalls

Legend Legend Legend

Check-In Kiosk

le

Info, Interp, Assembly (8k SF) Staff Parking Administrative Lower Level (5k SF) (4) Shuttle Stalls Main Visitor Center Outdoor Covered Area (2k SF) Regular Stalls Info, Interp,(12) Assembly (8k SF) Administrative Lower Level (5k SF) Outdoor Covered30 AreaStalls (2k SF) Short-Term Parking

Training Center 120 Stalls

sin

HWY 236Outdoor Gathering

Level 1: Gathering Hall, Kitchen, Office (5k SF) Level 2: (14) Bedroom Suites (5k SF)

SWP

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Li tt Ba le B sin as Ro Ro in R ad ad oa

SWP

Li tt

HWY 236

Parking with Overhead P.V. (3) Shuttle Stalls Center Interpretive (16) Stalls 2.5kRegular SF Training Center

SWP

6-Car Queue 6-Car Queue

SWP

SHUTTLE

Concessionaire

Cafe, Restrooms (6k SF) Y 236 HWSouvenirs, Outdoor Covered Area (2k SF)

Information & Interpretation (1.5k SF)

(3) Shuttle Stalls (16) Regular Stalls

SWP

Souvenirs, Cafe, Restrooms (6k SF) Outdoor Covered Area (2k SF)

Shuttle Kiosk

Shuttle Kiosk Check-In Kiosk Information & Interpretation (1.5k SF) Parking with Overhead P.V.

LE

SH

Concessionaire

Main Visitor Center

SWP

T UT

Souvenirs, Cafe (4k SF) Outdoor Covered area (1k SF) Loading & Parking For Concessionaire

Gathering Information Outdoor Counter & Restrooms (5k SF) & IRPGCovered Helicopter Landing Outdoor Area (1k SF)

SWP

T UT

SH

Loading & Parking Concessionaire For Concessionaire

Maintenance Shops, Material Storage, Main O&M Covered Vehicle Storage Shops, Short-Term Parking Maintenance (15k SF) Material Storage, Covered Vehicle Storage (15k SF)

25 Stalls

LE

LF

Landscape Screening Along Highway 236

& Vehicle Turnaround in Large a (2) Story Building

Main O&M

& Stop Signs Possible Crosswalk & Stop Signs Landscape Screening Along Highway 236

Along Highway 236 Staff Community Amenity O&M Yard & Large Vehicle Turnaround Staff Housing O&M YardApartments (4) 2-Bedroom

LF

Possible Leach Field Location

Stormwater LeachPlanting Field Location LFSWP Possible SWP LF SWP

Trail Stormwater Planting Possible Leach Field Location Trail Stormwater Planting Trail

50

100

0

50

100

0

50

100

Perennial Stream

Intermittent Stream Perennial Stream

Ephemeral Drainage Intermittent Stream Perennial Stream Ephemeral IntermittentDrainage Stream Ephemeral Drainage

US Feet 200 US Feet 200 US Feet 200

Main Day-Use Area Alternative 1

Channel enhancement Road for O&M and bikes only

4

Visitor center with restrooms and connected covered interpretive pavillion 11

20

Interpretation of former lodge

15

Former Headquarter Steps

Interpretation of former ampitheater 7 parking stalls (15 minutes)

3 bus parking stalls

Elevate trail & install puncheons to pass flow from upstream into Redwood Loop

Legend Legend Major Road Major Road Paved Road Paved Road Trails Trail New Trails New Trail Restoration

0

Perennial Stream Perennial Stream Intermittent Stream Intermittent Stream Ephemeral Drainage Ephemeral Drainage Restoration

25 50

0

50

100

100

200

US Feet

US Feet 200

Parking

Visitor Serving Uses

Shuttle Boarding Kiosk

11

itt le Alternative 1 Ba L

Rd

Little Basin Truck Trail

Staff Residences

Sc

ot

(8) 3-Bedroom Single Family Homes

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Cam Little pgr oun Basin dS pu rR d

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ark nb rl Ta o p T Lo

Little Basin

to Pine Mountain Fire Road

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L ark

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Little

Basin

Rd

Wetland Restoration

Group Campsite

Emergency Landing Zone

Rd sin Ba und o tle Lit mpgr Ca

Meadow Restoration

Parking with Overhead P.V.

(20) Regular Stalls

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Lit

sin R tle Ba

Bloo

ms C

Cam Little pgr oun Basin dS pu rR d

Amphitheater

reek

Mixed Tribal Use Space (12k SF)

Legend Major Road

Paved Road Trail

12

New Trail Restoration Parking

0

Perennial Stream

Car Camping (42 | 2,000 sf per site)

Ephemeral Drainage

Cabin (14 | 2,400 sf per site)

Intermittent Stream

Potable Water Supply

Vault Restroom

Tent Cabin (0 | 2,000 sf per site) Staff Residences (6 | 900 sq ft each) Ops & Maintenance & Admin Visitor / Cultural Facilities

200

US Feet 400

Overnight Areas Alternative 1

Day Use Parking & Shuttle Stop Meadow Restoration

Sempervirens Falls

Residence 10 Interp Center

10

20

8

Walk-in Camping

Meadow Walk-in Camping

Vista Point Campfire Center Amphitheater Walk-in Camping

8

S C

Day Use Parking & Shuttle Stop

Camp Store New Trail Bridge 20

Enhance Drainage to collect flow

Legend Major Road

Paved Road Trail

New Trail

Old Growth

0

Perennial Stream

Intermittent Stream

Ephemeral Drainage

Parking

Comfort Stations with Shower Comfort Station

(with maintenance storage)

Cabin (33 sites)

Host Cabin (1 site) ADA Cabin(2 sites)

150

¯ 300

600

0

US Feet

150 300

600 US F

Car Camping (82 sites)

Host Car Camping (2 sites) ADA Car Camping (4 sites) RV Site (10 sites) Tent Campsite (22 sites)

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Opportunity Area Saddle Mountain Gateway Norabella Property Horse Corral Site Eastridge Trailhead Gate House Little Basin* Sempervirens Campground Blooms Creek Campground Jay Camp Former HQ Sequoia North Escape Road Huckleberry Wastahi** Lower Sky Meadow Rogers Road Upper Sky Meadow Upper Lodge Road Area Mortensen

Vi si In tor /C te We Pa rpre enlcteo rk ti rm Ca Sto ve E e C m re xh en ib te Ra pg its r ng rou Ca er nd m In C E p fo h

Alternative 2 Program Matrix

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* Facilities at Little Basin are contingent on Fire Marshal approval. ** Campground check-in at kiosk on Sky Meadow Road before Wastahi.

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En pfir or he e m ck v M iron Cen atio -In ixe m t n Pic d T ent er n ri a Pic ic A bal l Ed n r U a Pu ic A ea(s se S nd/o p b r ) r Sh lic R ea(s (Lar ace Ste ge wa u e ) rd Tr ttle stro (Sm ) sh ail St om al l ip ) La hea op Tr rg d ain Sm e D in g a a Fa Eq ll D y-U s cil ue ay e ity In str -U Pa di ia se rki In vid n P Pa ng di ua a rk L Gr vidu l Te rkin ing ots ou a n g Lo ts Ca p S l RV t Sit bi ite Sit es es W ns s alk Op /Bi e ke M rati -In ai o C 1- nten ns B am 2 a u p M Perm nce ildin ing ul F g Se tiple ane acil (Offi n it a u ce Sp son nit t Sta y s, ike al S s o ff M R ee W C ta f P es tin at am ff e i d r g Ele er/S p Hou ma enc Ro n e sin en es c om Re tric wer g tS s, sto ity In ta St fra ff or ra Ho str tio ag uc us e, n in Et tu g c.) re Primary Visitor Facilities

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Parking

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Camping Operations Utilities

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Alternative 2 Program Diagram This alternative encourages visitors to explore new destinations, offering more dispersed amenities and varied experiences. Here are the key aspects:

North Escape Day Use Facilities Restoration

VISITOR EXPERIENCE Dispersed Amenities: Amenities are spread out to encourage visitors to explore different areas each time they visit the park.

Restoration Priority: Restoration efforts continue to focus on the old growth area, with former use areas repurposed at smaller capacities to offer diverse day experiences in the redwoods.

SADDLE MOUNTAIN Visual Gateway: Saddle Mountain remains the visual gateway to the park, but its smaller size means visitors may spend less time here.

Former Headquarters Public Restroom in Visitor Center Small Visitor Center Campfire Center ~64 Parking Spaces & ~7 Fifteen-minute Spaces Restoration

Park Shuttle Program: The shuttle operates from Saddle Mountain to the Main Day Use Area with interim stops, promoting hiking or biking to various destinations within Big Basin.

MAIN DAY USE AREA Varied Experiences: Former use areas are reused at smaller capacities, providing different ways for visitors to spend their day among the redwoods.

OVERNIGHT AREA Capacity: Camping capacity is similar to Alternative 3, with slightly more capacity than Alternative 1.

Check-In Locations: Campers check in near the campgrounds on Lower Sky Meadow Road or at Little Basin.

Campfire Center: The Campfire Center, located on an open hillside overlooking the old growth forest, offers stargazing opportunities before campers return to their sites beneath the trees.

Day-Use Check-in

PARK OPERATIONS AND STAFF

Camping Check-in

Dispersed Staff: Park staff are distributed throughout the park in various residences and operations facilities, ensuring support and maintenance are available across the park.

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Shuttle Stop

Overnight Facility

HOUSING SUMMARY

PAR

18 co-housing at Norabella

DAY U

Rogers Road ~2 Group Campsites

Restoration

Upper Sky Meadow ight Area ern Ov

~10 Overnight Parking Spaces Public Restroom with Potable Water Satellite Operations & Maintenance Facility

Lower Sky Meadow

~4-6 Residences with cohousing

Upper Lodge Road ~20-40 Tent Camp Sites

~129 Car Camping Sites

Wastahi Restoration

Mortensen

~20 Tent Cabins

Restoration

Campfire Center

Huckleberry Sequoia

~52 Car Camping Sites

~2 Group Campsites

~4-6 Residences

Camp Store Visitor Contact Building ~35 Parking Spaces

~8 Tent Camp Sites Large Operations and Management Facility

~12 RV Sites

Admin Offices Restoration

Horse Corral Spike Camp

Norabella North ~18 Residences with cohousing

Sempervirens Blooms Creek + Jay Campgrounds

Restoration

Eastridge + Gatehouse

Day Use Facilities

Saddle Mountain + Norabella South

Utility Building

Medium Visitor Center

Park Store ~130 parking spaces Satellite Operations & Maintenance Facility

Little Basin ~ 14 Cabins

Satellite Operations & Maintenance Facility

~42 Car Camping Sites

Mixed Tribal Use Outdoor Space

~ 1 Group Campsite

~2 Residences

~45 Parking Spaces

Campfire Center

Admin Offices Equestrian Parking

RKING SUMMARY

CAMPING SUMMARY

O&M SUMMARY

USE:

Little Basin: 50 tent, 1 group, 10-20

Saddle: Medium Visitor Center,

SUMMER 2024

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Saddle Mountain Saddle Mountain Alternative 3 Alternative 2 Alternative 2

LF

Staff Housing (6) 1-Bedroom Apartments Staff Housing in 2-Story Building

LF Landscape Screening Landscape Screening Both Sides of OldSides Big Basin Road Both of Old Big Basin Road Landscape Screening Both Sides of Old Big Basin Road

(6) 1-Bedroom Apartments in 2-Story Building

Staff Community Amenity Staff Community Amenity

Staff Housing

(3) 3-Bedroom Single Family Homes

Staff Housing Staff Housing

Staff Housing (8) Studio Apartments Staff Housing in 2-Story Building

(4) 3-Bedroom Single Family Homes (4) 3-Bedroom Single Family Homes

(8) Studio Apartments in 2-Story Building

H

LF

Landscape Screening Along Highway 236

W

Y

LF

H

H W W Y Y 23 23 23 6 6 6

LF

Staff Housing

(6) 1-Bedroom Apartments in a (2) Story Building Landscape Screening Along Highway 236 Landscape Screening Staff Community Along Highway 236

d

sin

a Ro

Amenity

Ba

ad B Ro ld sin ad O a B Ro g Bi asin ld O ig B B ld O ig

Landscape Screening Along Highway 236

Staff Housing (4) 2-Bedroom Apartments Lodge Building in a (2) Story Building for Training Center for Lodge Building (12) Bedroom Suites (4k SF) Training Center (12) Bedroom Suites (4k SF) Training Center 25 Stalls Hall, Kitchen (4k SF) Short-Term LFParking Gathering Training Center

SWP LF SWP

Ca

6-

Landscape Screening Along Highway 236 Landscape Screening Along Highway 236

ue

rQ ue

Main Visitor Center

LF

Info Counter & Interp Center (7k SF) Main Visitor Center Outdoor Covered Area (4k SF) Info Counter & Interp Center (7k SF) Concessionaire Outdoor Covered Area (4k SF) CafeLane (4k SF) NewSouvenirs, Left-Turn Outdoor Covered area (1kSite SF) Into Saddle Mountain

Check-In Kiosk Parking 5-6 Long Vehicle Horse Trailer or Tandem 5-6 Long Vehicle Parking

SWP SWP

Horse Trailer or Tandem

130 Stalls Parking for ShuttleCenter Interpretive 130SFStalls 2.5k

LF

HWY 236Outdoor Gathering & IRPG Helicopter Landing HWY 236

LF

Parking for Shuttle

SHUTTLE SHUTTLE

SWP

Concessionaire Visitor Center Souvenirs, Cafe, Restrooms (8k SF) Concessionaire Information Counter & Restrooms (5k SF)

H

SWP

Li Li tt tt le le Ba Ba Ba sin sin sin Ro Ro Ro ad ad ad

Into Saddle Mountain Site

SHUTTLE

New Left-Turn Lane

HWY 236

SWP

Souvenirs, Cafe, Restrooms Outdoor Covered Area (8k (1k SF)

SWP LF

ue

r Que

tt

le

6-Ca

LF

e u SWP

r Que

6-Ca

Li

LF

Staff Parking Picnic Ledge (4) Shuttle Stalls (12) Regular Stalls Picnic Ledge

LF LF

Contemplation Piers

H

Up Up Up pe pe pe rR rR rR ed ed ed w w w oo oo oo d d d Tr Tr Tr ai ai ai l l l

18

H

Pedestrian Surfacing

IRPG Helicopter Landing & Large Vehicle Turnaround IRPG Helicopter Landing & Large Vehicle Turnaround

LF

Connected by Trail

Pedestrian Surfacing Staff Housing Vehicular Paving Vehicular Paving Pedestrian Surfacing

Approx.

12 Workstations (3.5k SF) Small Day-Use Area

SWP

Picnic Platforms Connected by Trail Picnic Platforms

Ops, Maintenance, & Admin Visitor / Cultural Building Staff Housing Visitor / Cultural Building Ops, Maintenance, & Admin Vehicular Paving & Admin Ops, Maintenance, Staff Housing

Administrative Building Approx. 12 Workstations (3.5k SF) Check-In Kiosk Check-In Kiosk O&M BuildingOverhead & Yard P.V. Parking Maintenancewith Shops, Material Storage, (3) Shuttle Stalls Covered Vehicle Storage (8k SF) Parking (16) Regular with Stalls Overhead P.V. Administrative Building Approx. 12 Workstations (3.5k SF) Administrative Building

SWP

Maintenance Shops, Material Storage, Covered Vehicle Storage (12k SF)

Visitor / Cultural Building

120 Stalls 25 Stalls Parking for Shuttle Short-Term Parking 25 Stalls Short-Term Parking Comfort Station Comfort Station

(3) Shuttle Stalls (16) Regular Stalls

Accessed by Trail

O&M Building & Yard Maintenance Shops, Material Storage, O&MVehicle Building &(12k Yard Covered Storage SF)

Legend Legend Legend

Gathering Hall, Kitchen (4k SF)

LF

LF

0

LF

Possible Leach Field Location

Stormwater Planting Leach Field Location LF SWPPossible Trail Possible Leach Field LF SWP Stormwater PlantingLocation SWP

Stormwater Planting Trail Trail

50 0

100

50

100

Perennial 0 Stream 50 100

Intermittent Perennial Stream Stream Ephemeral Drainage Perennial Stream Intermittent Stream IntermittentDrainage Stream Ephemeral Ephemeral Drainage

US Feet 200

US Feet 200 US Feet 200

Main Day-Use Area Alternative 2

Group picnic

Redwood Ecology Interpretive Station and restooms

Road for O&M and bikes only

41 23

Interpretation of former lodge Former Headquarter Steps

Rebuild of former ampitheater

Comfort station at shuttle stop

Enlarged meadow restoration with stormwater retention 3 bus parking stalls

7 parking stalls (15 minutes)

Elevate trail & install puncheons to pass flow from upstream into Redwood Loop

Legend Legend Major Road Major Road Paved Road Paved Road Existing Trails Trail New Trails New Trail Restoration Proposed Boardwalk

0

Perennial Stream Perennial Stream Intermittent Stream Intermittent Stream Ephemeral Drainage Ephemeral Drainage Restoration

25 50

0

50

100

100

200

US Feet

US Feet 200

Parking

Visitor Serving Uses

Shuttle Boarding Kiosk

19

ark nb rl Ta o p T Lo

Little Basin itt le Alternative 2 Ba L

sin

Rd

Sc

ot

tC

re

ek

Staff Residences

(2) 3-Bedroom Homes

LL C Caam mppgg iittttllee BB rroouu aassiinn nndd SSppuu rr

Rd

Little Basin Truck Trail

to Pine Mountain Fire Road

rl pT oo L k arrk aannbba

T T

Rdd sin R Baasin le B LLit itttle

Group Group Campsite Campsite

Campfire Campfire Center Center

Wetland Wetland Restoration Restoration

Tent Tent Cabins Cabins

Ramada Ramada & & Kitchen Kitchen

Emergency Emergency Landing Landing Zone Zone

Rdd sin Baasin ndd R tle B ouun LLiitttlemppggrro am C Ca

Meadow Meadow Restoration Restoration

Gathering Gathering Circle Circle

Parking Parking with with Overhead Overhead P.V. P.V. (20) Regular Stalls (20) Regular Stalls

sin Rdd tle Baasin R LLit ittle B

B Bllo oo om mss C Crre ee ek k

CCaamm LLititltele ppggrr BBaa oouunn sisnin ddSS ppuu rrRR dd

Amphitheater Amphitheater

Mixed Mixed Tribal Tribal Use Use Space Space 10,000 10,000 sq sq ft ft

Operations Operations + + Maintenance Maintenance (3k SF) (3k SF)

PV PV over over Parking Parking 25 25 Vehicles Vehicles

Legend Major Major Road Road Paved Paved Road Road

20

Trail Trail New New Trail Trail

Restoration Restoration Parking Parking

0 0

Perennial Stream Stream Perennial Intermittent Intermittent Stream Stream

Ephemeral Ephemeral Drainage Drainage Potable Water Water Supply Supply Potable

Vault Vault Restroom Restroom

Car | 2,000 sf per site) Car Camping Camping (42 (42 | 2,000 sf per site) Tent | 2,000 sf per site) Tent Cabin Cabin (0 (0 | 2,000 sf per site) Cabin | 2,400 sf per site) Cabin (14 (14 | 2,400 sf per site) Staff (2 | 900 sq ft each) Staff Residence Residence (2 | 900 sq ft each)

Ops Ops & & Maintenance Maintenance & & Admin Admin Visitor / Cultural Facility Visitor / Cultural Facility

200 200

US Feet Feet US 400 400

Overnight Areas Alternative 2

Campfire Center Amphitheater

Sempervirens Falls

Maintenance Space

5

5

5

New Bridge 10

Residence 10

10

Meadow

Walk-in Camping

Restoration at Wastahi

Camping Kiosk/ Shuttle Pass Line

Legend Major Road

Paved Road Trail

New Trail

Old Growth

0

Perennial Stream

Intermittent Stream Ephemeral Drainage Parking

Comfort Stations with Shower Comfort Station

(with maintenance storage)

Cabin (18 sites) Host Cabin (0 sites)

ADA Cabin (2 sites)

150

¯ 300

0

600

US Feet

150 300

600 US F

Car Camping (174 sites)

Host Car Camping (2 sites) ADA Car Camping (5 sites) RV Site (12 sites) Tent Campsite (8 sites) Staff Residence (2 sites)

21

Opportunity Area Saddle Mountain Gateway Norabella Property Horse Corral Site Eastridge Trailhead Gate House Little Basin* Sempervirens Campground Blooms Creek Campground Jay Camp Former HQ Sequoia North Escape Road Huckleberry Wastahi** Lower Sky Meadow Rogers Road Upper Sky Meadow Upper Lodge Road Area Mortensen

Vi si In tor /C te We Pa rpre enlcteo rk ti rm Ca Sto ve E e C m re xh en ib te Ra pg its r ng rou Ca er nd m In C E p fo h

Alternative 3 Program Matrix

●●●

●

●●

●

●●

●●

● ● ●● ●

●

* Facilities at Little Basin are contingent on Fire Marshal approval. ** Campground check-in at kiosk on Sky Meadow Road before Wastahi.

22 SUMMER 2024

En pfir or he e m ck v M iron Cen atio -In ixe m t n Pic d T ent er n ri a Pic ic A bal l Ed n r U a Pu ic A ea(s sex nd/o S b r ) r Sh lic R ea(s (Lar pac Ste ge e wa u e ) rd Tr ttle stro (Sm ) sh ail St om al l ip ) La hea op Tr rg d ain Sm e D in g a a Fa Eq ll D y-U s cil ue ay e ity In str -U Pa di ia se rki In vid n P Pa ng di ua a rk L Gr vidu l Te rkin ing ots ou a n g Lo ts Ca p S l RV t Sit bi ite Sit es es W ns s alk Op /Bi e ke M rati -In ai o C 1- nten ns B am 2 a u p M Perm nce ildin ing ul F g Se tiple ane acil (Offi n it a u ce Sp son nit t Sta y s, ike al S s o ff M R ee W C ta f P es tin at am ff e i d r g Ele er/S p Hou ma enc Ro n e sin en es c om Re tric wer g tS s, sto ity In ta St fra ff or ra Ho str tio ag uc us e, n in Et tu g c.) re Primary Visitor Facilities

●●●●

●●● ● ●

● ● ● ● ●●●●●

●●●

● ●

● ● ● ●

● ● ●●

● ●

●

●

Parking

●●

● ●

●●●

● ●●●●● ● ●

●●

● ● ●●● ●●● ●● ●●● ●● ●●● ●● ● ●●

●

●●●

●

Camping

● ● ●

Operations Utilities

● ●

SUMMER 2024

23

Alternative 3 Program Diagram North Escape

In this alternative, new hubs of activity are distributed throughout Big Basin, offering diverse recreational and interpretive programs at multiple locations. Here are the key features:

Trail Camp Day Use Facilities Restoration

VISITOR HUBS Saddle Mountain: Continues to serve as a hub, but with the smallest visitor center of all alternatives, emphasizing its role as a visual gateway and shuttle service starting point.

Former Headquarters Public Restroom

Main Day Use Area: Offers recreational and interpretive programming with a robust historic interpretation area, enhanced visitor services, and increased parking.

Small Visitor Center

Overnight Area and Little Basin: Both areas provide attractive amenities and programming for an immersive visitor experience.

Day Use Facilities

ENHANCED CAMPGROUND EXPERIENCE

Restoration

Campfire Center

~96 Visitor Parking

Campfire Center at Huckleberry Campground: Positioned at the heart of Huckleberry Campground, providing a central spot for evening programs and activities.

Interpretive Center at Lower Sky Meadow: Focused on Junior Ranger programs and educational activities.

Expanded Amenities at Little Basin: Includes a camp store (pending approval by the Fire Marshall) to enhance convenience for campers.

VISITOR ORIENTATION AND SHUTTLE SERVICE Visitor Center at Saddle Mountain: The smallest visitor center, focusing on essential orientation and services.

Shuttle Service: Operates from Saddle Mountain to the Main Day Use Area with a slightly lower capacity due to increased parking within the Main Day Use Area and the dispersion of visitors among different hubs.

Shuttle Stop

Day-Use Check-in

RECREATIONAL AND INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMMING

Camping Check-in

Variety of Activities: Each hub offers unique recreational and interpretive programs, encouraging visitors to explore different parts of the park and engage in various activities during their visit.

24 SUMMER 2024

Overnight Facility

HOUSING SUMMARY

PAR

10 at Saddle

DAY U

Rogers Road Restoration

Upper Sky Meadow ight Area ern Ov

~20 Overnight Parking Spaces Small Operations and Maintenance Facility ~1-2 Residences

Lower Sky Meadow

Upper Lodge Road ~20-40 Tent Camp Sites

~100 Car Camping Sites

Wastahi

Visitor Parking

~22 Cabins

~11 Cabins

~25 Parking Spaces

~9 Tent Camp Sites

Huckleberry Sequoia

~46 Car Camping Sites

~2 Group Campsites

~8 Tent Camp Sites

Mortensen Restoration ~2-4 Residences

Park Store Admin Office Staff Operations & Maintenance Facility ~6 Residences

~12 RV Sites

~41 Parking Spaces

~30 Parking Spaces

Horse Corral

Campfire Center

~2 Group Campsites

Norabella North ~6 Residences with cohousing

Sempervirens Blooms Creek + Jay Campgrounds

Restoration

Eastridge + Gatehouse

Restoration

Small Visitor Center with combined Admin Office ~120 parking spaces Small Operation & Maintenance Faciltiy

Little Basin ~79 Car Camping Sites

Operation & Maintenance Facility & working areas

~3 Group Camp Sites

Admin Office

Campfire Center

Mixed Tribal Use Space with dressing rooms, restrooms and kitchen

Camp Store

~10 Residences with cohousing

~2 Residences ~52 Parking Spaces

RKING SUMMARY

USE:

Saddle Mountain + Norabella South

Restoration

CAMPING SUMMARY Little Basin: 50 tent, 10-20 small

O&M SUMMARY SUMMER 2024

Saddle: Small visitor center,

25

Saddle Alternative 3Mountain Saddle Alternative 3Mountain Alternative 3

Landscape Screening Both Sides of Old Big Basin Road Landscape Screening Both Sides of Old Big Basin Road

Staff Housing

Landscape Screening (3) 3-Bedroom Single Family Homes Both Sides of Old Big Basin Road

Staff Housing

(3) 3-Bedroom Single Family Homes

Staff Housing

(3) 3-Bedroom Single Family Homes

H H W W Y Y 23 23 23 6 6 6

LF LF

Landscape Screening Along Highway 236 Landscape Screening Along Highway 236

H

W

Y

LF

Landscape Screening Staff Housing

Along HighwayApartments 236 (6) 1-Bedroom in a (2) Story Building Staff Housing (6) 1-Bedroom Apartments in a (2) Story Building Staff Housing

Staff Community (6) 1-Bedroom Apartments Amenity in a (2) Story Building Staff Community

d

sin

g

ld

O

ld

O

g Bi g

ld

Landscape Screening Along Highway 236 Landscape Screening Along Highway 236

Bi

Bi

Ba

in as

B

sin

a Ro

d

a Ro

LF

Ca ue ue ue ue ue ue r Q ar Q rQ C Ca 66-

25 Stalls

Short-Term Parking

Check-In Kiosk Check-In Kiosk Check-In Kiosk Interpretive Center Interpretive Center 120 Stalls Center Interpretive Parking 2.5k SF for Shuttle 120 Stalls

H

Parking for Shuttle

LF

SWP

LF

SWP

(4) Shuttle Stalls Regular Stalls Contemplation(12) Piers Accessed by Trail

le

SWP

Contemplation Piers

sin

Ro a

tt Li

le le

Li

tt

LF

Information Counter &Staff Restrooms (5k SF) Parking Outdoor Covered Area (1k SF) (4) Shuttle Stalls (12) Regular Stalls Staff Parking (4) Shuttle Stalls (12) Regular Stalls Staff Parking

Ba

SWP

120 Stalls

Parking for Shuttle

sin

SWP

Ba sin Ro R ad oad d

SWP

Ba

H

Outdoor Gathering Visitor Center

& IRPG&Helicopter Information Counter RestroomsLanding (5k SF) Outdoor Visitor Covered Area (1k SF) Center Information Counter & Restrooms (5k SF) Outdoor Visitor Covered Area (1k SF) Center

2.5k SF

H

tt

SWP

2.5k SF

Li

SWP

SHUTTLE SHUTTLE SHUTTLE

& IRPG Helicopter Landing

Short-Term Parking

LF

SWP & IRPG Helicopter Landing

(4) 2-Bedroom Apartments in a (2) Story Building

25 Stalls 25 Stalls

6-

LF

Souvenirs, Cafe (4k SF) Outdoor Covered area (1k SF) Concessionaire Souvenirs, Cafe (4k SF) Outdoor Covered area (1k SF) Concessionaire

HWY 236Outdoor Gathering

(4) 2-Bedroom Apartments in a (2) Story Building Staff Housing

Short-Term Parking

Concessionaire

HWY 236Outdoor Gathering

LF

O

LF

HWY 236

Amenity Staff Housing Community (4) 2-Bedroom Apartments Amenity in a (2) Story Building Staff Housing

LF

Ba

Landscape Screening Along Highway 236

Souvenirs, Cafe (4k SF) Outdoor Covered area (1k SF)

d

a Ro

Administrative Building Approx. 12 Workstations (3.5k SF)

Administrative Building Approx. 12 Workstations (3.5k SF)

O&M Building &Building Yard Administrative

Maintenance Shops, Material Approx. 12 Workstations (3.5kStorage, SF) CoveredBuilding Vehicle Storage (8k SF) O&M & Yard Maintenance Shops, Material Storage, CoveredBuilding Vehicle Storage (8k SF) O&M & Yard

Accessed by Trail

Maintenance Shops, Material Storage, Covered Vehicle Storage (8k SF)

Accessed by Trail

Small Day-Use Area

Contemplation Piers

Small Day-Use Area

Up U pe ppe Re r Re r Re dw dw dw oo oo oo d d d Tr Tr Tr ai ai ai l l l

Small Day-Use Area

Up p

er

Legend Legend Legend

Visitor / Cultural Building

LF

Possible Leach Field Location

Staff Housing Ops, Maintenance, & Admin Visitor / Cultural Building Vehicular Paving Staff Housing Ops, Maintenance, & Admin

SWP LF

Trail Stormwater Planting Possible Leach Field Location Trail Stormwater Planting

Ops, Maintenance, & Admin Visitor / Cultural Building

26

Pedestrian Surfacing Vehicular Paving Staff Housing PedestrianPaving Surfacing Vehicular Pedestrian Surfacing

SWP LF SWP

Stormwater Planting Possible Leach Field Location

Trail

0

50

100

0

50

100

Perennial Stream 0 50 100

Perennial Stream Intermittent Stream

Ephemeral Drainage Intermittent Stream Perennial Stream Ephemeral Drainage Intermittent Stream Ephemeral Drainage

US Feet 200 US Feet 200 US Feet 200

Main Day-Use Area Alternative 3

Road for O&M and bikes only

Group picnic with comfort station 4 20

51

Event pavillion structure designed to incorporate historic chimney

21

Former Headquarter Steps Old Growth Visitor Station with restrooms and Operations Satellite Facility

Campfire event venue

7 parking stalls (15 minutes)

2 bus parking stalls

Elevate trail & install puncheons to pass flow from upstream into Redwood Loop

Legend Legend Major Road Major Road Paved Road Paved Road Existing Trails Trail New Trails New Trails Restoration

0

Perennial Stream Perennial Stream Intermittent Stream Intermittent Stream Ephemeral Drainage Ephemeral Drainage Restoration

25 50

0

50

100

100

200

US Feet

US Feet 200

Parking

Visitor Serving Uses

Shuttle Boarding Kiosk

27

itt le Alternative 3 Ba L

s in

arrkk nbba rll Ta n opp TTr Looo

Little Basin

Group Campsite

R d

Litt le Basin Tru ck Trail

S co tt C re ek

CCaamm LLitittlel ppggrr e BBaa oouun ssinin ndd SSppu urr

RRdd

Group Campsite

to Pine Pine Mountain Mountain to Fire Road Road Fire

Trrll op T Looop L k arrk annbba TTa

Staff Residences Residences Staff (2) 3-Bedroom 3-Bedroom Homes Homes (2)

Campfire Campfire Center Center in RRdd Basin ittle Bas LLittle

Stewardship Center Center Stewardship Bldg 1: Hall, Kitchen, Office (5k SF)

Bldg 1: Hall, Kitchen, Office (5k SF) Bldg 2: (14) Bedroom Suites (5k SF) Bldg 2: (14) Bedroom Suites (5k SF)

Wetland Restoration Wetland Restoration

Group Group Campsite Campsite

Welcome Kiosk Kiosk Welcome

Admin Office Office and and Admin Ops + + Maintenance Maintenance Ops (6.5k SF) (6.5k SF)

Rd sin Basin nd Rd tle Ba ound Liitttlempggrrou L amp C Ca

in Rd le BBaassin Rd Lititttle L

Meadow Restoration Meadow Restoration

B oo Gathering Circle Circle Bllo ms C Gathering om s Crreek eek

LiLtit CC am am pgprgrtletleBaBa ouonu sisnin dndS S pupu r rRR dd

Emergency Emergency Landing Zone Landing Zone

Camp Store Store Camp (4k SF)`

Parking with with Parking Overhead P.V. P.V. Overhead (28) Regular Stalls

Parking with with Parking Overhead P.V. Overhead P.V. (24) Regular Stalls

(28) Regular Stalls

(24) Regular Stalls

0 0

US Feet US Feet 400200 400200

US Feet 400US Feet 400

570 570

Car Camping (79 | 2,000 sf per site) Car Camping (79 | 2,000 sf per site) Tent Cabin (0 | 2,000 sf per site) Tent Cabin (0 | 2,000 sf per site) Cabin (0 | 2,400 sf per site) Cabin (0 | 2,400 sf per site) Staff Residence (2 | 900 sq ft each) Staff Residence (2 | 900 sq ft each) Ops & Maintenance & Admin Ops & Maintenance & Admin Visitor / Cultural Facility Visitor / Cultural Facility

200 0 200 0

380 380

Perennial Stream Perennial Stream Intermittent Stream Intermittent Stream Ephemeral Drainage Ephemeral Drainage Potable Water Supply Potable Water Supply Vault Restroom Vault Restroom

100 100

00 95 95190 190

28

Major Road Major Road Paved Road Paved Road Trail Trail New Trail New Trail Restoration Restoration Parking Parking

Cultural & & Mixed Mixed Cultural Tribal Use Use Space Space Tribal 4,000 sq ft 4,000 sq ft

(4k SF)`

Legend Legend

Space for for Space Round House Round House

Overnight Areas Alternative 3

Day Use Parking & Shuttle Stop Camp Store Campground Interpretive Center with Gathering Space for Junior Ranger Sempervirens Falls 5

5

5

Maintenance Space

10

8

Meadow Walk-in Camping

Vista Point 8

Walk-in Camping

New Trail Bridge

10

10

Campfire Center Amphitheater

Concessions Cabin Check-in

25

Enhance Drainage to collect flow

10

Camping Kiosk/ Shuttle Pass Line

Legend Major Road

0

Perennial Stream

Paved Road

Intermittent Stream

New Trail

Parking

Trail

Old Growth

Ephemeral Drainage

Comfort Stations with Shower Comfort Station

(with maintenance storage)

Cabin (33 sites)

Host Cabin ( 0 sites) ADA Cabin (1 site)

150

¯ 300

0

600

US Feet

150 300

600 US F

Car Camping (140 sites)

Host Car Camping (2 sites) ADA Car Camping (4 sites) RV Site (12 sites) Tent Campsite (17 sites) (6sites) sites) Staff Residence (6

29

Evaluation Criteria The three considered alternatives are similar in the scale of their development, programs they accommodate, and all out-perform the alternatives not considered, which are described in the following section, in achieving planning objectives. However, there are some key differences among the alternatives in terms of distribution of program throughout the park, which has an impact on park operations, visitor experiences, staff residential options, capital and operating costs. These factors will be evaluated qualitatively, and scored based on how effectively they meet the criteria described below:

PARK OPERATIONS • O&M Facilities are sited to minimize staffing needed to operate the park • O&M Facilities are sited to enable adaptive management of natural resources and stewardship activities • O&M Facilities are sited to decrease number and distance of internal trips to operate the park • O&M Facilities are sited to support visitor safety and emergency response capacity

VISITOR EXPERIENCE • Facilities support experiences that evoke nostalgia or reverence to the park’s resources and history • Facilities support interpretation and educational experiences • Day-Use Facilities accommodate inclusive experiences for diverse park users • Overnight Facilities accommodate inclusive experiences for the diverse park users • Arrival and internal navigation of the park is intuitive, safe, and convenient

30 SUMMER 2024

Agency Review Important safety considerations including driveway locations and life safety planning and evacuation protocol presented in the alternatives will be reviewed by Caltrans and State Fire Marshal. Components of any of the three alternatives that do not satisfactorily meet safety standards will need to be revised, or the alternative will be removed from consideration as the preferred alternative.

SITE DESIGN • Facilities siting mitigates impact on sensitive resources • Facilities siting avoids environmental hazards and minimizes risk to users and facilities • Facilities siting enables hydrological restoration projects • Facilities siting has the greatest capacity for solar power generation.

• Capital Costs for facilities and supportive infrastructure are lower, relative to other alternatives

STAFF RESIDENCES • Park residences and community facilities are sited and designed to meet seasonal housing needs.

• Park residences and community facilities are attractive for long-term staff families and support recruitment • In-park staff residence locations support emergency response time • Park residences and community facilities are well suited to the character and integrated with the neighboring community

• Operations Costs for facilities and supportive infrastructure are lower, relative to other alternatives

SUMMER 2024

31

Alternatives Not Considered Some alternatives were not considered because they would substantially fail to meet planning objectives, or because they are otherwise infeasible as described below.

Alternatives not considered include: REBUILD IN PLACE

NO SHUTTLE OPTION

A reconstruction of all prefire facilities in the same or similar locations with some incorporation of updated best practices in building and infrastructural systems and a new shuttle system.

Park facilities redistributed among previously developed or suitable developed sites, but lack an internal park shuttle or bus stop along the Santa Cruz Metro route, requiring extensive surface parking and limiting park access to those with private vehicles.

Prioritize Forest Health Pre-Fire Facilities located in Old Growth

Extensive Surface Parking Required in Old Growth

REDUCED PARK CAPACITY

3 CONSIDERED ALTERNATIVES

Reducing the overall quantity of visitor-serving facilities in the park to prioritize resource protection, limiting park visitor capacity and recreational opportunities.

Facilities moved out of Old Growth

Facilities moved out of Old Growth

Provide Equitable, Diverse, and Evocative Visitor Experiences Experiences at Big Basin are familiar, but missed opportunity to expand diversity

Limited recreation opportunities, Decreased visitor capacity

Pre-fire visitor capacity with more diverse access and experiences

Only those with private vehicle can access park

Park Shuttle and Bus System, but with lower overall park capacity

Park Shuttle and Bus System

Additional facilities to support stewardship partnerships

Additional facilities to support stewardship partnerships

Additional facilities to support stewardship partnerships

New facilities and overall park design developed in consultation with tribal reps

New facilities and overall park design developed in consultation with tribal reps

Very Limited fragmentation of critical habitat

Limited fragmentation of critical habitat

Park Facilities are minimal; Reduction in visitor capacity limits opportunity to interpret the legacy of the redwoods

Park Facilities are reverent and resilient

No new specialized facilities for partnerships

New specialized facilities for partnerships

Experiences at Big Basin are familiar, but only to those with private vehicle

Diversify Transportation and Access Opportunities Park Shuttle and Bus System

Practice Land Stewardship No new specialized facilities for adaptive management and stewardship partnerships

Include Indigenous Perspective No new facilities developed in consultation with tribal reps

New facilities and overall park design developed in consultation with tribal reps

Foster Landscape Connectivity Some fragmentation of critical habitat

Some fragmentation of critical habitat

Design with Reverence and Resilience Park Facilities are nostalgic, but are not sited to optimize resilience

Extensive Surface Parking diminishes reverence; Logistically infeasible to provide sufficient parking

Engage the Park Community and Build Partnerships No new specialized facilities for partnerships

New specialized facilities for partnerships

Aligns with Guiding Principles

32 SUMMER 2024

Somewhat aligns with Guiding Principles

Does not align with Guilding Principles

CLIMATE ADAPTATION CONSIDERATIONS Climate change poses significant risks to natural resources, built infrastructure, and recreational access within Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Projected increases in temperature, more intense storms, and prolonged drought periods may alter vegetation communities, both in their extent and composition, while also increasing hazard risks to facilities and visitor safety.

In response to these anticipated climate impacts, the three alternatives are developed with consideration of the park’s adaptability to future climate conditions and include the following strategies: • Site facilities to allow ecological processes to occur, to allow restoration of ecological conditions to allow future adaptation to climate change, and to allow active management of natural areas for future resilience.

• Site and design recreation infrastructure to minimize vulnerability to hazards that will be amplified with climate change.

• Interpret and provide educational and informative materials and experiences for park visitors related to climate change and climate adaptation.

REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS In addition to preparing for the impacts of climate change, California State Parks is working to reduce its greenhouse gas footprint in alignment with statewide carbon neutrality goals. As part of the BBFMP, design alternatives will include on-site renewable energy generation, shuttle systems to increase non-automotive accessibility, and other projects that could make progress toward this goal.

While the three alternatives under consideration all have a similar projected volume of GHG emissions resulting from park activities (operations, maintenance, and visitor activities), they share a significant reduction when compared to pre-fire park operations. The following GHG sources will be estimated for the pre-fire park operations and projected for the alternatives presented in this plan: Energy •

Building and other facilities - electricity

•

Building and other facilities - natural gas

•

Street lights and traffic signals electricity

Visitor Transportation •

Vehicle Trips

•

Shuttle Trips

Employee Commute •

Commute Trips

Park Fleet •

Gasoline Vehicles

•

Diesel Vehicles

Refrigerants •

Park facilities refrigerant use

Solid Waste •

Solid waste from City facilities

•

Fuel used by waste hauling vehicles

Water and Wastewater •

Indirect Park water use delivery

•

Indirect wastewater treatment

•

Direct Wastewater treatment

•

Wastewater solids hauling

SUMMER 2024

33

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SUMMER 2024