PUENTE HILLS INTERPRETIVE ARENA
RAMMED EARTH OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
PUENTE HILLS, CALIFORNIA
KATHRYN MILLER AND ANDREAS HESSING
THE AMPHITHEATER FUNCTIONS AS A “PORT OF ENTRY” TO THE PARK AND DENOTES A TRANSITION ZONE BETWEEN THE URBAN AND THE WILD AREA.
IT IS USED AS AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM FOR THE JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAMS AND AS A RESTING POINT AND MEETING PLACE FOR HIKERS ENTERING OR LEAVING THE WILDERNESS.
IT IS SITED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A LARGE OPEN VISTA OF THE HILLS AND VALLEYS. THE BERM AROUND THE SEATING IS PLANTED WITH PLANTS NATIVE TO THE PARK. THESE ARE USED AS DEMONSTRATION PLANTS BY RANGERS WHEN LECTURING ON THE FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE AREA.
THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS WAS COMPLEX AND REQUIRED SPECIAL MOLDS TO FABRICATE THE SEATING. TO SEE IMAGES OF THIS PROCESS PLEASE GO TO CONSTRUCTION ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE.
THE PUENTE HILLS INTERPRETIVE ARENA WAS BUILT IN THE ARROYO PESCADERO AREA OF THE PUENTE HILLS IN CALIFORNIA. AS RECIPIENTS OF AN ART AND COMMUNITY LANDSCAPE GRANT FUNDING WAS PROVIDED BY THE NEW ENGLAND FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS, THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS, THE IRVINE FOUNDATION, THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, RIVERS,TRAILS AND CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND THE CITY OF WHITTIER.