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.

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. Enhancing the Los Angeles River area will result in a beautiful park space for all of the community's benefit.

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.

The Village Gardeners is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. In partnering with the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles and other governmental and non-governmental entities, The Village Gardeners is working to implement the following list of improvements to the Los Angeles River 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.