Revitalize and Reimagine Altadena Community Garden

Wildfire relief

San Gabriel Valley County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

After the Eaton Fire destroyed over 11,000 places in Altadena, outdoor recreational spaces were not only consumed, but our air, soil, and water became toxic. Residents not only lost homes and community spaces, but a portion of our area's flora, fauna, and tree canopy. As recently as May 2025, Pasadena City Council and LA County issued reports showing that playgrounds and outdoor areas remain contaminated with lead and other chemicals, meaning even spending time outdoors in our neighborhoods carries health risks. To date, only one public park has been reopened to service 40,000 residents. Access to safe outdoor recreational and community activities is shown to positively impact community mental and physical health. The issue we seek to address is two-fold and symbiotic; there is a need to revitalize lost gathering and safe greenspaces for Altadena resident wellness, as well as a deep need to support fire resiliency and the healing of our foothill's unique biodiverse natural environment.

This grant will directly support the rebuilding of the historic Altadena Community Garden, a locally run organization since 1973. Our relaunch will restore an intergenerational gathering and community space to support Altadena resident’s mental and physical health, food security, and access to safe outdoor recreation space, as well as revitalize a location central to our pollinators, wildlife, tree canopy, and irreplaceable natural resources. With the garden reopening, Altadena, part of unincorporated LA County, will expand from having one open greenspace to two! Operating with 120 active gardeners and serving over 40,000 Altadena residents, this garden plays an outsized but important role in community rebuilding, revitalization, and healing for all ages. Funding is needed for soil remediation, to rebuild sustainable and fire resilient fencing, plots, and irrigation, to replace burned tools and equipment and relaunch our community tool lending shed and composting hub, and to reinstitute free community events and educational programs. In addition, the grant will allow us to move forward on exciting gardening expansion projects. For example, funds will be used to construct and plant a new public fruit tree orchard for environmental education and food harvesting. We will also begin planning for a new greenhouse and demonstration kitchen as well as offering gardening and fire resiliency programming aimed at sustainably rebuilding home gardens and ecosystems in the neighborhood.

Over the next year, we will transform our empty plot of land back into a productive garden to support both our Altadena community and the local ecosystem. In the short term, our work will facilitate healing for a network of neighbors, access to safe outdoor recreation, and relaunch in-demand programs such as tool lending, gardening, and composting in Altadena. Starting from scratch is a challenge for a volunteer-run garden, but we see it as an opportunity to envision a more sustainable space for access to healthy food, sustainability, fun programs, and environmental/climate justice for all. Over the long term, we want our garden to grow and thrive for another 50 years or more and nourish our diverse community through connection, healthy food, safe greenspace, and high-quality environmental education. Our work will restore a safer, sustainable, and stronger Altadena and LA County will be happier, healthier, and have more trees, greenspace equity, and greater fire resiliency as a result.