Civic Horticultural Projects
From its first sprouting 70 years ago, worthwhile civic horticultural projects have been a reason for the Club’s existence. If the Club saw a need in the community, the board would begin to research it and discuss what the Club could do to initiate a responsive project. Through their connections, members were able to communicate directly with the local authorities to explore what was possible and acceptable in the community.
Many projects succeeded because of the unified but unobtrusive efforts of Club members. Members of the Club:
- In 1953 encouraged the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to purchase and preserve as a public garden the 17 acre La Canada Flintridge estate of Manchester Boddy which, with its towering oak groves sheltering a large number and variety of camellias, was the beginning of Descanso Gardens.
- In 1954 encouraged the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors to purchase the land to establish what is now known as the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden.
- In 1966 discouraged the construction of the Los Angeles Convention Center in Exposition park.
- In 1974 endorsed the establishment of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center.
- Helped restore the courtyard at St. Vibiana’s Cathedral in preparation for the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1987.
- In 1991 encouraged the preservation and redevelopment of the Los Angeles River basin as a greenbelt.
Outreach
Since its founding in 1950, the Men’s garden Club has recognized and supported organizations that provide the educational enrichment benefits of hands-on gardening and outdoor exploration for children. Following are two such organizations that have had remarkable success educating children:
Descanso Gardens
Located in La Canada Flintridge, it is a 150-acre Botanical Garden, mostly forested, with Ca. native plants, oak woodlands and camellias. Descanso partners with a variety of schools to provide Children’s Programing:
- In the last school year (prior COVID), over 14,000 students, teachers, and parents visited Descanso (self-guided field trips and docent guided field trips).
- Home School Day Programs & After School Programs
- Garden Sprouts Program- Parents & children (ages 2-4)
- Summer Camp (Children ages 1-7) Tend an edible garden, prepare healthy snacks in the outdoor kitchen.
Garden School Foundation
The Garden School Foundation provides in-depth garden based education to youth in eight Title I elementary schools in Los Angeles County reaching over 3,000 students and their families each year.
- The garden in each school has become a treasured resource deeply embedded in the lives of students and their families.
- The unique “Seed to Table” curriculum of gardening and nutritional cooking classes reinforces that critical connection between garden and kitchen.
- During COVID, Farmer’s Markets were held at the schools, and 2,500 pounds of food was shared with school families.
