West Athens Victory Garden
LOCATION
South Los Angeles
10500 South Normandie Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90044
SIZE
0.350 acres
OPENED
December 2013
SERVES
14,636 residents
Formerly a blighted property, the West Athens Victory Garden provides access to healthy and fresh food, while serving as a safe place to enjoy some outdoor exercise. Residents have access to 40 garden beds, a bioswale, a community gathering space, a walking trail, a learning garden designed for children ages 0-5, and a ¼ -acre food forest of 25 fruit trees.
Phase I of the garden was completed in 2014, and included the installation of community garden beds for growing fruits and vegetables, a perimeter walking trail, a children’s play area, and a rain catchment system to support a sustainable water supply.
Phase II of the project involved the installation of a bioswale to catch runoff and allow water to be filtered back into the ground. It also included the addition of 25 trees that provide needed shade in the spring and summer months, reduce heat and GHG emissions, and serve as an urban food forest/fruit orchard.
Since 2013, the West Athens Victory Garden has provided local residents with relief from the highly dense, asphalt environment, and continues to serve as a hub for community members with a passion for urban agriculture and environmental stewardship.