It is said that if we can ever hope for peace on earth, we must plant gardens in our cities. Audrey Hepburn believed that to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.
Now Redondo Beach, as a community, is getting ready to play an active role in this hopeful movement.
In March 2022, the Redondo Beach City Council approved a license agreement to begin building the city’s first community garden at Alta Vista Park.
Council members concur with the Redondo Beach Community Garden Committee members that the garden has the potential to be an asset to the community, and a phenomenal opportunity to bring our community together.
Brianna Egan is the lead member of the Garden Committee, and began her exploration of this project in summer 2020 when studying remotely, she was disheartened to learn that Redondo Beach had no gardening community to share plants and experiences.
Over the last two years, Ms. Egan created a committee, partnered with the South Bay Parkland Conservancy, and planned multiple, well-researched presentations for the City Council.
By April 2022, construction began on the garden on a grassy strip of land on the southwest corner of Alta Vista Park. The Garden will be roughly 4,000 square feet. On the hillside area, a native garden will grow.
Four local Boy Scouts from Troop 586 will construct raised beds for the garden. A three-bin compost station will also be on site.
The Garden is projected to be completed by this fall.
Redondo Beach residents will be offered one plot per household for an annual fee. Each garden bed may be held for two consecutive years, to allow others to plant.
Garden Committee member and Redondo Beach resident Jim Light, is the president of the South Bay Parkland Conservancy. He hails from Pennsylvania Amish country and says he grew up working with the dirt in his hands on farms and in gardens. Now he is passionate about sharing his experience with the next generation of gardeners here in town.
Also in the Committee’s plans is space for tables and benches to host educational programs, like gardening and healthy living workshops.
The grand vision is to have one community garden in each of the city’s four districts, with sights set next on North Redondo.
Funding for construction is provided by the city, a micro-grant from the Beach Cities Health District, and private donations - which are still encouraged and welcomed. Learn more at South Bay Parkland Conservancy and their Facebook page.
