The Monrovia Community Garden Pilot program received an Award of Merit in the Green Region category from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG).
The SCAG Sustainability Awards Program encourages innovative planning to improve the mobility, livability, prosperity and sustainability for the Southern California region.
Launched in July 2019, the Monrovia Community Garden provides a space where residents, garden plot holders and other organizations can garden and learn through active education. The garden operates with best practices when it comes to sustainability including installing an irrigation system to encourage wise watering practices, filling garden beds with organic matter like compost, brown waste and cardboard, generating compost with an onsite compost bin and installing a bike rack to promote gardeners and visitors to walk or bike, rather than drive to the garden.
“People changed their evening walks to see the garden take shape,” said Dr. Kristin Ritzau, garden director. “Now it is a beloved beacon of sustainability and healthy living, inspiring active participation in the community and beneficial eating and cooking practices.”
In less than one year, the Monrovia Community Garden Pilot Program has generated:
- Over 800 hours of community service by volunteers.
- 500 pounds of produce grown.
- 2 tons (4,000 pounds) of food waste composted, which diverted from landfills.
- Over 200 children participated in garden crafts and planted seeds at community events.
- 125 community members attending workshops and education events.
- Over 1,100 feet of Deodar Cedar Urban Rescue wood used for raised beds instead of being wood chipped.
The garden, located at 303 W. Colorado Blvd., on the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, is open for the public from sunrise to sunset.
For more information on the Monrovia Community Garden, visit cityofmonrovia.org and monroviacommunitygarden.org, “Like” Monrovia Community Garden on Facebook and follow the Monrovia Community Garden on Instagram @monroviacommunitygarden.
