Mountain View officials are celebrating the completion of what might be called an oasis of nature tucked into the city’s tech center.
The Charleston Retention Basin, a 6-acre marsh and nature trail just east of Shoreline Boulevard, is the culmination of an unlikely alliance between Google and a hodgepodge of environmental groups.
First proposed about four years ago, the project restores a swath of wetland habitat for native flora and fauna right in between corporate offices and parking lots. The area was once a stormwater ditch connecting to Stevens Creek, but over time that ditch morphed into a home for a variety of sensitive bird species.
Google efforts helped complete that transformation. As part of the project, Google’s hired environmental team removed more than 130 parking spaces as well as about 120 trees, including dozens of redwoods. Much like the nearby Charleston East project, Google officials explained that the redwoods needed to go because they were not native to the climate zone and drought intolerant. In their stead, the company planted nearly 1,900 new shrubs and trees, including cottonwoods, willows and oaks.
The habitat restoration has been mostly cheered on by local nature groups, including the Sierra Club and the Audobon Society. Environmental groups credit Google officials for preserving more land than expected.
For visitors, the main attraction along the retention basin is a new trail system with foot bridges encompassing the natural habitat.
Google planned to host a public celebration to mark the completion of the retention basin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21. The retention basin is located east of Shoreline Boulevard and north of Charleston Road.
Email Mark Noack at mnoack@mv-voice.com
