"Water Marks" is a 200 foot long informational entry wall into Mission Trails Regional Park. The colored concrete, undulating wall circles a cul-de-sac and mitigates the visual impact of a new water pump building on the site. "Water Marks" is an entry gateway introducing park visitors to the elements they might find in this chaparral and riparian preserve.
The wall is veneered with mosaic glass tiles, hand made ceramic tile, etched flagstone, and bronze plaques that incorporate images and text about the native plant, animal and human history of the park. Information is presented in English, Spanish, and Iipay aa (the indigenous language of the Kumeyaay people). The elevations of the wall mirror the elevations of the surrounding hills and mountains.
A map of the San Diego River, the lifeline of the Native people and subsequent settlers, is drawn in blue mosaic tile the length of the artwork. The San Diego River is an appropriate symbol for the entrance to Mission Trails Park at Deerfield Road. Not only is the river an important element of the park, but it also makes reference to the water pump station built next to this entry area. The masonry of the original Kumeyaay and Spanish dam serves as the visual metaphor for this project.
Restoration of the site accompanied the construction of the work. California oaks and native plants now grow in what was once an ecologically disturbed area of the park.
"Water Marks" was the winner of the "Liquid Art" juried exhibition of public artworks organized by the California Water Authority. It was completed in May 2001
