Legacy Park, the focal point of Malibu’s more than $50 million pledge to improving ocean water quality, is the recipient of the 2011 award for Outstanding Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) Implementation presented by the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA).

The award identifies and recognizes creative approaches, outstanding projects, best practices and exemplary accomplishments in the field of stormwater quality management.

“The City of Malibu is extremely proud to have CASQA recognize Legacy Park for the ‘Outstanding BMP Implementation’ award,” Mayor John Sibert said. “Legacy Park demonstrates Malibu’s ongoing commitment to clean water, protecting the environment, and promoting a sustainable community and lifestyle for generations to come.  Malibu has long been a leader in clean water projects and Legacy Park will help ensure clean ocean water for our residents and for our 15 million annual visitors.”

Completed last year, the project transformed 15 acres in the heart of Malibu into a central park that is one of the most ambitious and innovative stormwater and urban runoff projects in California. The park improves water quality by capturing, filtering, and treating stormwater runoff to remove bacteria, nutrients, and other pollutants. It also saves potable water by using the treated stormwater for irrigation. In addition, Legacy Park has restored and developed important native coastal habitats, while creating open space for passive recreation and environmental education. It offers a living learning center, informational kiosks, an outdoor classroom, a cultural interpretive center and numerous other features to provide information and education about flora and fauna along the Southern California coast.

“Malibu Legacy Park Project incorporates state-of-the-art stormwater capture and treatment systems to protect the water quality in local water bodies and beach areas, with a beautiful park that the public can enjoy,” CASQA Awards Committee Chair Jill Bicknell said. “We recognize the City of Malibu and the project team’s success, innovation and dedication to the improvement of stormwater in Southern California.”

The City continues to gain recognition for its leading role in environmental stewardship. In July, Legacy Park received the 2011 Outstanding Sustainability Project award presented by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The award recognizes outstanding projects in the public or private sector that are developed and executed with methods and materials that promote environmental sustainability and sustainable engineering. It highlights Legacy Park’s innovative approach to construction, progressive ideas promoting sustainability, and its use of advanced technologies and materials.