Projects

SAMLARC is starting the next portion of the Turf Conversion Program in February 2025 focusing on portions Antonio Parkway and Avenida De Las Banderas. The project is anticipated to span approximately 8 weeks.

In 2015, the SAMLARC Board of Directors launched a Drought Mitigation Plan in response to California’s water reduction mandates. The Plan includes strategic landscape service regimens, implementing drip irrigation systems, replacing nonfunctional turf grass, and leveraging grants and rebates from various water agencies. These last two objectives fall under the SAMLARC Turf Conversion Program. 

Nonfunctional turf grass typically requires copious amounts of irrigation. However, replacing the turf with lower water needs plantings as well as plants that acclimatize to our local weather will reduce water usage by 50% and maintenance costs by 66%. Not only does this minimize water waste, but it also fosters a resilient ecosystem adapted to the region's climate. This project is anticipated to be funded through grants and rebates from the Municipal Water District of Orange County, with no cost to SAMLARC. 

SAMLARC has completed several turf conversions throughout the last 9 years, including Camino Montana, Via Arribo/Via Regressos (2015), Arroyo Vista Street (2022), and Altisima Street (2023). Arroyo Vista Street and the Via Arribo/Via Regressos areas are excellent examples of what the Antonio and Banderas project will look like once the landscape has fully matured (generally about 2 years after planting).  

Project Details  

Plant Palette: The curated plant palette is comprised of waterwise, Southern California-compatible plants, including star jasmine and natal plum carissa.

Irrigation: The current spray irrigation system will be converted to a drip system to provide water directly to the plant roots, reducing the amount of water lost to evaporation. 

Process: The project will convert nonfunctional mowstrip turf in select sections of Antonio Parkway and Avenida De Las Banderas. There will be no impact to sidewalk access, and we ask that individuals and pets stay out of the impacted landscape areas. The turf grass will be removed through a combination of agricultural herbicides and physical uprooting.  Over the next few weeks, the grass will stop growing and turn yellow and brown. After the soil has been cleared for replanting, a new irrigation system and a combination of seedlings and young plants will be installed. The process is anticipated to span 6-8 weeks, with the plants maturing over time. 

For questions on this project, contact Debbie Melberg, Operations Administrator, at debbie.melberg@fsresidential.com.