One Man's Quest to Spruce Up the Banks of the Los Angeles River

, a Studio City resident since 1984, was tired of looking at the dead oleanders lining the Los Angeles River across from his home on Valleyheart Drive. The proximity to the river and the once beautiful trees flowering in shades of white and pink were reasons he chose to buy his home.

But, 23 years later, the oleanders which line most of the 51-mile concrete river and known for their resilience, were dying of an incurable disease—scorched oleander. In 2007, Rabins started making calls to the county and talking to neighbors hoping to find a solution to the decaying eyesore.

He discovered that a non-profit corporation had been formed by neighbors nearly a decade earlier to address maintenance issues around his stretch of river. The corporation was dormant—it’s founders having either lost interest or moved away.

Rabins managed to revive , and was delighted when he discovered the corporation’s bank account had $3,000 sitting in it from previous donations—he had his seed money.

In just four productive years, Rabins with his five board members, financial donors and hundreds of volunteers have made significant progress toward beautifying the embankment surrounding the half-mile stretch of river between Coldwater Canyon Boulevard and Fulton Drive. 

“Unlike other parts of the Valley, there is a real sense of community in the Studio City area,” Rabins said proudly.

Agreeing to maintain improvements, The Village Gardeners partnered with Los Angeles County in an April 2008 Earth Day event when the Los Angeles County officials arrived with heavy machinery to shore up the river banks and tear down dead trees.  They also came with truck loads of mulch used to establish areas for re-planting.

“The mulch provided by the city is the ground up by-product of what we put in our green trash bins,” explained Rabins.  “It’s really important not to put plastic in those bins…otherwise the mulch is compromised and plants won’t grow as well.” 

In 2009, The Village Gardeners presented Los Angeles County with the “Valleyheart Riverwalk Greenway” concept. The county gave its public works division the green light to start planning and engineering the greenway along the one-half mile stretch of river last November. Plans should be complete by July 2011. The greenway project is expected to include ramps for wheelchair and stroller access, improved walking surfaces, additional restoration of natural habitat and decorative hardscapes. 

Although there is still plenty of work to be done, today the river embankment looks clean and fresh with plants that are native to Southern California, drought resistant and conducive to improving the eco-system. The thriving and colorful plant life softens the stark appearance of the river’s gray and imposing concrete siding.  Located just one block north of bustling Ventura Boulevard, the area is now a serene respite for residents wanting to take a stroll, jog and walk their dogs.

The Village Gardeners has received generous donations not only from residents and community organizations but from major corporations. Wells Fargo Bank is a contributor and last week, Sony Pictures Corporation granted the organization $7,500.      

 The group holds events several times a year when volunteers show up to plant, mulch and weed—or simply clean up litter.

Last Sunday, the first of two river restoration events scheduled for this spring was held.  About 20 volunteers showed up at the on the south bank of the river at the   on Valleyheart Drive, eager  to help despite the early hour and chill in the air. Hot coffee donated by and freshly baked bagels provided by took the edge off. 

“I’m here to contribute a little elbow grease to my monetary donations,” said Michael Levine, a resident in the area. 

After an introduction and demonstration by Rabins on how to mulch and remove the “invasive non-native species” (his word for weeds), he handed out gardening gloves and tools along with specific assignments. The group happily went to work on a brilliant spring morning, the sun finally yielding a bit of heat.  

The next restoration event is scheduled for April 30 in observance of the annual Los Angeles “Day of Service” campaign initiated by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa shortly after he took office in 2005.

 More information is available at www.TheVillageGardeners.org.