Perla Arquieta is a licensed landscape architect with over 20 years of experience in residential, commercial, institutional, and public park design projects. She has expertise in California native plant materials, irrigation design, and environmentally sensitive coastal and mountain areas. Some of her public project experience includes designing the Willowbrook Walking Path, Crescenta Valley Dog Park, and a vision plan for Peck Road Water Conservation Park for the County of Los Angeles. She is dedicated to sustainable design and enriching communities through landscape architecture.

1. Landscapes Designs Phone Web
by Perla Arquieta Tel: 310-367-6817 Web:
www.parquieta.com
Email:
parquieta@verizon.net
Portfolio
Perla Arquieta ASLA

2. About me
Skills and knowledge
• Licensed Landscape Architect 4701 Since 2002
• 2009 Lead in writing The County of Los Angeles Park Design
Guidelines approved by County Counsel in 2011
Experienced in
• Residential, Commercial, Institutional and Public Park Design
I graduated from the UCLA Extension Landscape Architectural Program in 1998 and received • California Natives and Drought Tolerant Plant Materials, and
my license in Landscape Architecture in 2002. Currently, I am working toward a Masters in Irrigation Design
Green Building from the San Francisco’s Institute of Architecture. • Environmentally sensitive areas of: Northern and Southern
California Coastal Areas, Mulholland View Corridor, and the Santa
In 1994, I began working in the field of Landscape Architecture with Galper/Baldon Associates. Monica Mountains
While at Galper/Baldon, a large portion of my work was creating conceptual designs for the • Grading and Drainage and Low Impact Development
Los Angeles Unified School District increasing permeable surfaces and greening the school • Working with government agencies
landscapes. Galper/Baldon authored “Steps and Stairways” Rizzoli International, New York
1989, and “Reflections on a Pool” Rizzoli International, New York 1997 and had numerous AutoCAD / Power Cad / PhotoShop / Illustrator / InDesign / Sketchup
projects published in Sunset, and Los Angeles Times Magazine. / GIS / Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, Project. /
. Windows Operating System, Macintosh Operating System
From 1999 to 2005, I worked with Laura Saltzman Associates, and Artecho Architecture and
Landscape Architecture. Their projects ranged from commercial, industrial and residential
from small lots to 40 acres. While at these firms, I took the opportunity to develop a good
understanding of California native plant material, construction technology and emerging
graphic technologies. Both firms have published projects in Sunset, Los Angeles, House
and Garden and Garden Design magazines.
From 2005 to 2007, I performed as the Landscape Studio Project Manager at KAA Design
Group. My greatest contribution to this firm was my conviction and passion related to the
sustainability and health of our landscapes and open space. I took the opportunity to mentor
junior staff and learn from senior staff. KAA is a medium sized multidisciplinary firm, which
practices architecture, landscape architecture, interior and graphic design. The firms work has
been extensively published in professional and shelter publications including, Architectural
Record, Interior Design, Los Angeles Magazine, The Robb Report, Western Interiors, The
Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
2007, I received an ASLA Design Honour Award for my contributed in the design of a
Personal information
residential project “Luna Bay”.
Currently, I am working for the County of Los Angeles Department of the Parks and
Recreation, I the Planning and Development Division. This division is responsible for the
Architectural and Landscape Architectural design and development of Park Projects. I
FULL NAME Perla Arquieta ASLA
was the lead designer in the first County owned dog park “Cresenta Valley Dog Park”, the
“Willowbrook Walking Path” and Peck Road Water Conservation Park Vision Plan”. ADDRESS 205 Ruth Ave
Venice CA 90291
I am a member of the America Society of Landscape Architecture and am dedicated toward
site
“enriching the human spirit through sustainable design”. WEBSITE www.parquieta.com Visit my web
EMAIL parquieta@verizon.net
PHONE 310-367-6817

3. Public Projects
Project Information
Client: County of Los Angeles
Project Name: The Willowbrook Walking Path
Project Details: Design Features
The Willowbrook Walking Path was designed to encourage
the community to exercise, the path includes an exercise zone
with exercise equipment, a trail head with benches a drink-
ing fountain, and a path that runs next to Compton Creek and
loops around the block.
A rip-rap bio-swale was install on the property line adjacent
to walking path along the creek. Above ground the swale is
planted with riparian native trees, grasses and lined with rip-
rap stone. The rip-rap stone was designed to slow and treat
stormwater run-off, prevent erosion and stabilize the slope.
The stones are not mortared allowing water to percolate and
evaporate. Below the surface we placed manufactured water
retention bundles. The water’s flow is directed down the slope
over the rip-rap and into the swale, then down into the reten-
tion bundles. This design maximizes the percolation, which
helps trap pollutants and silt, helps in recharging the ground-
water and prevents polluted run-off from entering the creek.
The Willowbrook Walking Path bio-swale is designed to;
• Filter pollutants by removing heavy metals, suspended
solids, oil and grease
• Temporarily store runoff water until it infiltrates into the
soil, reducing runoff volumes and rates
• Recharge groundwater and sustain stream base flows
• Reduce thermal pollution. As stormwater washes across
impervious surfaces, e.g. hot parking lots in summer.
This heated stormwater flows into streams and can then
impact fish and other wildlife that depend on cold water
streams to live and breed.
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4. California Sycamore Tree
The California Sycamore (Platanus Rasemosa) is the tree
that was selected for the Willowbrook community walking
path adjacent to the rip-rap bio-swale. This tree is native
to California and grows along streams and rivers. This
majestic tree will reach a height of 40 - 75 feet in height
and a spread of 40’ - 70’ at full maturity.
The Sycamore’s large branches reach out and up toward
the sun giving it a beautiful sculptural form. Its large,
deeply lobed, hand shaped, green leaves change color
during the fall turning from green to gold and by winter will
drop off. The handsome exfoliating bark on the trunk peels
off to reveal mottled colors of white, tan, and brown.
Thoughout history Sycamores have been greatly valued
for their wood for making everything from musical instru-
ments to cutting boards, the tree also provides nesting
sites for birds and food for the larva of the Western Tiger
Swallowtail Butterfly.
Besides providing shade, within their life time these trees
will remove nearly half of their weight in carbon dioxide
(CO2)
Deer Grass
The grass planted below the California Sycamore is called
Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) a riparian grass also
native to much of California. It is perfect for Compton
Creek because it grows naturally on the banks of sea-
sonal creeks.
The leaves on this beautiful grass will reach 3’ in height
with 2’ plumes (flowers) rising above the plant, while its
leaves range in color from light silver-green to purple.
California natives commonly used this grass for weaving
baskets.
In naturalized areas Mule Deer graze on this grass during
fawning season. The deergrass seed provides food for
many different bird species and during the winter it hosts
many species of moths, butterflies and ladybugs.
Deergrass’s dense stands and extensive roots also act
as a biofilter effective for the removal and breakdown of
herbicides, pesticides and particulates found in stormwa-
ter run-off.

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6. Kiosk and Educational Signage

7. Public Projects Project Information
Client: County of Los Angeles
Project Name: Crescenta Valley Dog Park
Project Details: Design Features
The off-leash dog park is approximately an acre and
a half. One third is dedicated to small dogs, while two
thirds provide plenty of running space for large dogs.
Six-foot chain-link fences protected the off-leach ar-
eas, and both entrances are secure by double gates.
These gates are designed to minimize unleashed dog
escapes from the park as visitors enter and exist. The
entrance locations are far from the activity center of
the park where most dogs play, this helps to prevent
dogs from gathering at the gate, where dog may be-
come territorial.
The entrances are paved with concrete, with a path
that leads to shaded ADA accessible benches. These
benches are strategically located, once there the dog
owner can throw a ball or Frisbee without having to
move to another area.
Permeable decomposed granite paving covers large
portions of the open areas for dogs and owners that
prefer an even smooth surface to play, this material
is permeable, does not absorb water, is easy to clean
and requires no water except for a daily wash down.
Cedar chips cover the other areas, cedar is non-toxic
and repels fleas and flies, and the use of this “built-in”
pest control prevents the establishment of flea popula-
tion providing a clean and comfortable environment for
both dog and owner.
Groups of benches placed beneath the canopies of
the existing mature Oaks and Sycamores provide
plenty of shade for the visitor. While large spaces are
kept unobstructed for balls and Frisbee play.
A dog wash is available for quick clean-ups and
community boards are provided outside of the gated
entrances. Drinking fountains for dogs and their owner
are located inside each gate for both small and large
dog areas.
Low water climate appropriate plant material sur-
rounds the exterior.
An underground drainage system helps in remov-
ing the surface stormwater rapidly, at the same time
underground water retention devices hold the storm-
water until it permeates into the ground resulting in 0%
run-off.
Solar powered security lighting and irrigation make
this site not only the county’s first dog park but also a
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sustainably designed dog park.

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11. Public Projects
Project Information
Client: County of Los Angeles
Project Name: Peck Road Water Conservation Park Vision Plan
Project Details: Design Features
Peck Road Water Conservation Park
Peck Water Conservation Park, located at 5401 Peck Road
Arcadia, CA 91006, is a unique 200 acre quarry now serv-
ing as a water management & recreation facility. The area
consists of two lakes in a figure 8 shape. These lakes are a
rich habitat for various birds; the Western Gull, Green Heron,
Cooper’s Hawks, Mourning Doves, Northern Mockingbirds,
Black Phoebes, Band-tailed Pigeons, and Palm Warbler have
all been found here. The Rio Hondo bicycle path begins at the
Peck Road Water Conservation Park, about 1/2 mile South
of Live Oak Avenue and parallels the Rio Hondo through Los
Angeles County. Currently the park amenities include picnic
areas, informal open play areas, fishing, walking and bird
watching.
The Peck Park Vision Plan proposes to restore and enhance
12.5 acres within the Water Conservation Park. This will
include recreation and educational opportunities, sustain-
able development, habitat restoration, enhanced paved area,
interpretive signage and additional amenities. In addition,
improved pedestrian and vehicular circulation, meaningful
gathering spaces and the opportunity to commune with nature
are proposed. This project helps illustrate the new aesthetics
of landscape today, defined by a continuously evolving proc-
ess of design. This project accepts embraces and protects
the unplanned natural environment and will, when complete,
become a valuable and remarkable park site for the County of
Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation. Objectives:
The objective of the park design concept is to create a number
of connections.
We propose to connect Peck Park:
1. To the community through the addition of a variety of rec-
reational activities and educational opportunities.
2. To nature through sustainable development and restoring
the habitat with indigenous plant material.
3. To the history of the site by honoring Tongva people
through features and interpretive signage.
4. To the network of urban parks linked by trails along the
Emerald Necklace through using similar design elements.
Site Improvements and amenities are:
Entry – The new park entry will provide enhanced park identifi-
cation from Peck Road and provide a gateway giving the park
a strong sense and of arrival. Site improvements and amenities
for this area will include:
• New entry vehicular road
• New entry tree allee with shrubs and groundcover
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• New irrigation
• New entry pedestrian path

12. • Enhanced paving at park entry and at parking lot entry
• New entry monument sign
• New ornamental tubular steel vehicular and pedestrian entry
fence and gate
Native Garden – The new native garden serves the community by
providing examples of drought-tolerant and native plant material.
This garden demonstrates the possibility of a harmonious rela-
tionship between an urban setting and nature through thoughtful
sustainable design. Site improvements and amenities for this area
will include:
• Native garden
• New irrigation
• Picnic tables and benches
• Mulch groundcover
Plaza – The heart and focal point of the park is the new plaza. At
the center of the space is a peaceful gathering area with built-in
seating shaded by a large specimen oak tree. The site improve-
ments and amenities for this area will include:
• Enhanced paving matching paving at park entry
• Turf groundcover
• New irrigation
• New ADA compliant drinking fountain
• Existing restroom upgrade
• Built in raised bench
• Specimen oak tree
Meadow – Peck Water Conservation Park is a unique property
with a very natural feel located in an urban setting. The develop-
ment of the native annual grassland area will enhance the natural
feel of the park and create a unique educational setting for the
history of Native American inhabitants along the San Gabriel
River. Site improvements and amenities for this area will include:
• Restored habitat of native annual grasses / Temporary Irrigation
• Group picnic areas – includes picnic table and benches, on D.G.
paving.
• Educational discovery nodes –boulders with engraved symbols
and fossils.
• Interpretive signage.
Viewing Berm – With a simple addition of an accessible pedes-
trian path the existing topography offers a great opportunity to
watch the collection of wildlife that has made the shores of Peck
Park their home. The adjacent development of the native annual
grassland flows into this area continuing the natural feel of the
park Site improvements and amenities for this area will include:
• A decomposed granite path and pad.
• Additional California Native Trees
• Restore Native Annual Grasses
• Educational Discovery Nodes – boulder with engraved Tongva
petroglyph and fossils.
• Interpretive Signage

13. Project Information
Client: County of Los Angeles
Project Name: Peck Road Water Conservation Park
Parking Lot
Project Details: Design Features
Peck Road Water Conservation Park
Peck Road Water Conservation Park is part of
a string of green parks touching the San Gabriel
and Lower Los Angeles Rivers, these parks are
envisioned as Los Angeles County’s “Emerald
Necklace.” A rich habitat of various birds; such as
the Western Gull, Green Heron, Cooper’s Hawks,
Mourning Doves, Northern Mockingbirds, Black
Phoebes, Band-tailed Pigeons, and Palm Warbler
are all found here.
The Peck Road Water Conservation Park Parking
Lot Project proposes to support the health of the
neighboring waterways, and natural habitat.
Parking lot runoff is a major contributor to non-point
source pollution. The proposed parking lot’s design
incorporates a variety of environmentally preferable
features that greatly mitigate many of the negative
impacts of traditional parking lots. The proposed
design will decrease the impervious surface area,
protect the water quality, and provide shading to
reduce the “heat island”, reduce stormwater runoff
and increase the aesthetic value.
The scope of work includes:
• On-site stormwater retention and Low Impact
Development (LID) innovative techniques
• Permeable pavers
• Native and climate appropriate trees and
shrubs
• Low volume solar powered irrigations system
• Educational Interpretive signage
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14. Private Projects
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15. Manhatten Beach
Single family residential remodel
includes:
• new decomposed granite court-
yard
• climate appropriate plant mate-
rial,
• a new sitting area with a fire-
bowl
After the removal of the front and
back yard lawn and the new land-
scape this client has reduced their
water bill by 70%.

16. Private Projects
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17. Manhatten Beach
Single family residential remodel includes
• new pergola,
• barbecue,
• spa,
• deck,
• fire table
• garden.
There are countless ways to remake outdoor
spaces into outdoor rooms that enhance the
enjoyment of the yard.
Adding a fire table, spa and arbor; this family
now makes better use of their outdoor space.
This outdoor room can serve multiple purpos-
es; from accommodating the occasional party
to daily cooking and relaxing.

18. Private Projects
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19. Brentwood
Single family residential remodel
includes
• arbors,
• pool,
• deck
• garden
•
This garden is a beauty.

20. Private Projects
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21. Encino
Single family residential remodel includes
• new arbors,
• barbecue,
• pool,
• deck
• garden.
•
Adding a pool and a barbecue this family
now can really enjoy their outdoor space.