Creating an Urban Orchard in LA

Grantee: Trust for Public Land

Trust for Public Land has many projects that support access to public land across the country, and we have been glad to be involved with their work in Los Angeles. TPL has ‘greened’ schoolyards at public schools by reducing the asphalt used and reimagining playgrounds, and then in the middle of LA they just completed a new ‘Urban Orchard.’

Sited in the South Gate city, 7 miles southeast of downtown LA, barren industrial land has been turned into a vibrant community park. South Gate formerly had few parks and little access to green space. Now, near the LA River, there is a seven acre park with a grove of 200 fruit trees, walking paths, native landscaping, and a nature-based playground. Mural artists highlight Tongva history on site.

The Flora L Thornton Foundation has funded Trust for Public Land since 2018 as part of our Los Angeles Community and Culture program. The Foundation also supports environmental organizations focused on land conservation, so this project is at the intersection of both areas. You can learn more about this project on TPL’s website at: www.tpl.org/our-work/urban-orchard