Site Development and Habitat Improvements at El Polin Springs

Campbell Grading, Inc. diligently worked to restore the ecology of El Polin Springs and showcase the archeology of the site. El Polin Springs is part of Tennessee Hollow, the Presidios largest watershed. Fresh water flows through the site, bringing numerous bird species and other wildlife.

The project included demolishing all the asphalt roads, narrowing and replacing the roads with crushed rock trails, a boardwalk, and a vehicular turnaround. Campbell Grading, Inc. also created a picnic area and a series of seasonal wetland ponds that daylight the abundant spring flows that move through the site. The boardwalk was strategically located by John Roberts Landscape Architects to allow spring flows and seepages from the adjacent hillside into the central channel within the loop. Cobble swales were restored, allowing the water to continue down the site and through wetland ponds. Existing cobbles were cleaned and reused on the swale, with only a few new cobbles supplementing them. Gabion baskets and stones were placed in a square pattern to represent the old adobe foundation that lay below them. This foundation once held Marcos Briones house, a colonial soldier and widower, who lived there with his three daughters.