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Welcome to The Village Gardeners official website!

The Village Gardeners of The Los Angeles River is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to the beautification of the Los Angeles River between Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Moorpark Street.

The mission of The Village Gardeners is to participate in the enhancement and maintenance of Los Angeles River Greenways with emphasis on conservation, ecology, and restoration of natural habitat, through partnerships with schools, community organizations, and governmental agencies. Read more about our mission here https://www.essayhave.com/.

We partner with other groups to promote environmental, art, and educational projects which foster a communal commitment to the rebirth of the river while respecting the river’s role as a vital element in regional flood control management. Be a part of the LA River Master Plan! Join us in our efforts to clean up and beautify our community. Let's work together to bring about the revival of the Los Angeles River!

As part of our mission, we aim to raise public awareness to the negative impact that littering, dumping and graffiti have on our community by starting our efforts at the grade school level. The Village Gardeners seeks to provide educational and community service opportunities for students and community members to learn more about our environment and how we can work together to make our community better, step by step. You can participate in our activities as easily as you get java programming help.

The Village Gardeners have hosted a number of successful community events to clean up and restore slopes by the river.

 

HISTORY

The Village Gardeners started as one person’s response to the devastation of the Northridge Earthquake of 1994. The neighborhoods of Studio City and Sherman Oaks were among the hardest hit areas. It was in this area along Valleyheart Drive South, near Longridge Avenue, that the first Village Gardener started sowing the seeds of new life.

After seeing results of the independent planting, others in the neighborhood started pitching in with donations of plants, time and money. The Village Gardeners eventually became registered with the State of California as an unincorporated nonprofit Association with a 501 (c)(3) status and in addition, is a participant in the Adopt-A-River Program of the Los Angeles County, Department of Public Works.

Despite the concrete channel, this was an enjoyable green and flowering stretch. The Village Gardeners, an all volunteer neighboring group, led the grassroots efforts to reclaim this stretch of the river, picking up trash, nailing back fences, painting and planting “whatever would grow,” according to cofounder Annette Fuller. The site had a great feel; it felt like someone cared about this area. Unfortunately, a combination of unfortunate factors led to the inactivity of the Village Gardeners for a period of time. If you're interested in the stories of passionate community groups and their journeys, you can explore similar narratives on pghcitypaper.com.

Deteriorating plant life, excessive erosion, and lack of maintenance have caused a renewed community interest in restoring and enhancing the Los Angeles River banks in our community. In the summer of 2007, The Village Gardeners once again became active, taking a fresh new approach to creating a park-like area for the Studio City and Sherman Oaks communities.

 

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

The Village Gardeners is once again participating in the restoration, beautification and maintenance of the Los Angeles Riverwalk in our area. The Village Gardeners is committed to maintaining the high standards that the community has long enjoyed.

The Village Gardeners is dedicated to making our projects ones that bring the community together. Rest assured, the Riverwalk will once again become an important part of the community, instilling pride in a beautiful, clean area where residents can enjoy walking, running, jogging or walking their dogs.

In partnering with the "County of Los Angeles", the "Mountains, Recreation, and Conservation Authority" and other entities, The Village Gardeners is working to implement the following list of improvements to the Valleyheart Riverwalk Greenway in our area:

� Increase the presence of trash receptacles and pick-up service.
� Install Irrigation.
� Improved pedestrian access-ways.
� Erosion mitigation.
� Improved signage.
� Fully degradable dog waste bags and dispensers.
� Restoration of California native plant life.
� Fencing upgrades.
� Improve the "River Walk" surface for safe walking, jogging and biking. 

Valleyheart Riverwalk Greenway

As a result of The Village Gardeners' efforts, LA County's Department of Public Works is in the planning  
stages of the
“Valleyheart Riverwalk Greenway". The project will enhance the half-mile stretch from Coldwater Canyon to Fulton Avenue. These enhancements include irrigation, replanting slopes along the river with California native plants, and improving community facilities.

Oleander Leaf Scorch disease has been particularly devestating to the slopes along the river in our community. The Village Gardeners aims to restore these slopes with drought tolerant - disease resistant California native plant varieties.

Learn About Oleander Leaf Scorch Disease. 

 

The Richard Lillard Outdoor Classroom

Located at the river's edge at the intersection of Valleyheart Drive and Longridge Avenue (south side of river) is the Richard Lillard Outdoor Classroom. The Village Gardeners is currently replanting this area with a permit from Mountains, Recreation & Conservation Authority. 

This venue is ideal for community events and educational presentations. Please contact us if you have an interest in utilizing this urban amphitheatre.

Learn more about the Richard Lillard Outdoor Classroom

We give community service hours.