I have lived in South Laguna since 1971 when Fred Lang hired me to work on the South Laguna General Plan which he was donating to the community. Since then I have been involved in implementing the plan which provided for preserving the hillsides behind the community in open space. As a landscape architect, I am especially impressed with the very rare combination of plants that we have on our hillsides--have you noticed that we are one of the few areas in town that is blessed with the white winter bloom of the big-pod ceanothus blanketing our hillsides? This is just one of the many rare and interesting plants in our hillsides, and just one of the reasons why these hillsides merit preservation in addition to their scenic beauty.My work with the South Laguna Civic Association is oriented to preserving the village character of our community, and in that regard I worked on the South Laguna Specific Plan developing unique development standards for the different neighborhoods in South Laguna, and on a landscape master plan for beautification of the community. Now we are embarking on a streetscape improvement project in the neighborhood commercial area of South Laguna. We have already completed the median planting project at Third Avenue, and more planting and sidewalk improvements are in store.
South Laguna Village Green is one of my favorite projects. I worked with People for Parks and SLCA in the early 1970s to urge the County to acquire the site. If it hadn't been for the involvement of concerned South Lagunans, there would be four houses where the park is now. I helped design the park in 1977, then 27 years later I designed it again when it was refurbished, this time for the City of Laguna Beach.
We are also writing a History of South Laguna. We have uncovered many never-before-published photos and historical tales. We need your help! If you are interested in helping us research, or if you have any old photographs or materials about South Laguna's earlier days, please contact me.