Community Garden annual picnic and resource fair coming June 30

from the Altadena Community Garden

Good food and good company mark the Altadena Community Garden's annual picnic, in this photo from 2010.

June 30, 2012 marks the 38th annual Altadena Community Garden Picnic & Resource Fair. The members of the community garden invite the public to join them for a barbeque lunch, self-guided garden tours and a community education and resource fair from 1 to 5PM in the community garden and Loma Alta Park, located at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Palm Street in Altadena. Lunch tickets are available for $8 in advance, $10 at the gate.

Gardeners provide hot and cold foods, many made from locally grown fruits and vegetables. Several gardeners will tend barbecue grills for 24 hours prior to the event, preparing ribs, chicken, beef hot links, veggie burgers and hot dogs for diners. Lemonade and sun tea, as well as sodas and bottled water, will be served, too.  

The picnic is located inside the gates of the garden. Tables will be set up and decorated with seasonal flowers. The resource fair will be staged outside the garden gates in the circular roundabout south of the Loma Alta Park tennis courts.  Featured events will be garden tours, Altadena Farmers Market, yoga and tennis demonstrations, local botanical gardens, blood pressure screenings, community safety and alert information, plus representatives from Lincoln Avenue Water Company, LA County Sheriff’s and Fire Department and other public and private agencies.

About The Garden

The three acre corner of Lincoln Avenue and Palm Street holds 65 plots for over 128 gardeners and associate gardeners.  All pay annual dues, $73 for gardeners, $30 for associate gardeners.  Quarterly general membership meetings are held to review the needs and activities of the garden.  Current events include the development of a water conservation plan for the garden,, rainwater fruit tree orchard, garden corner beautification project, children gardening program and Common Ground Victory Garden class. Free seed packets are available to members at meetings.

The Garden was formed in 1973 by a group of West Altadena residents who wanted to garden with neighbors. The informal group chose an undeveloped plot of land to cultivate local, healthful fruits and vegetables.  Soon the County of Los Angeles decided to build an equestrian ring at the area now known as Loma Alta Park, and the County Department of Parks and Recreation relocated the garden. Permanent fencing, irrigation and parking was installed by the County. The Community Garden members developed bylaws, installed fruit trees, herbs, roses, native plants and succulents in communal areas.  ACG continues to work with the County to maintain the garden’s infrastructure and amenities.  For members’ shared use are picnic areas, a shaded deck, tool sheds, and walkways. Membership dues provide hand tools, mulch and organic fertilizer.

Applications for new members are available at the garden.  Further information, calendar, photos and garden contacts are available at the Altadena Community Garden website, www.altadenacommunitygarden.com