Colorful Student-Painted Mural Will Welcome Visitors to Chatsworth

Have a burning desire to welcome people to Chatsworth? Here’s your chance to help.

Save Chatsworth, a community coalition founded in 2002 to promote land preservation and responsible development, has teamed with (CHA) to produce a portable public art mural and they need your help on the welcoming wagon.

Chatsworth Hills Academy has partnered with Save Chatsworth since 2005 to teach their pre-K to 8^th graders about the natural areas around the campus, at the western end of Rinaldi Avenue, and to help clean and maintain Chatsworth Trails Park, off Canoga Avenue, just north of the 118 Freeway. 

CHA art teacher designed the mural, which will be painted on eight 4-foot by 8-foot panels and available for loan to appropriate locations. In addition to being a welcome to the community, the mural may be used to deter graffiti. The colorful mural depicts scenes of the community and has a large “Chatsworth” at the top.

Students started preparing the panels last September and are eager to finish the painting by the end of this year. The panels were purchased by the . County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has also contributed to the project.

Save Chatsworth, which is a 501(c) 3 charity, is seeking tax-deductible contributions for the cost of paint, anti-graffiti coating and materials needed for the framework that will hold the panels. Vanessa Watters, president of Save Chatsworth, estimated that the group needs $3,000 to finish the project.

Save Chatsworth has received several public grants since 2005 to restore and clean Chatsworth Trails Park, which is popular with equestrians and hikers. CHA students, teachers and parents have helped to clean and improve the park, which is just north of their campus. Experts in plant and animal life found at the park have spoken to the students and given tours.

Two informational kiosks with rotating displays about the trails, plant life and wildlife were installed at the park several years ago. There is also information about the history of the area and documentation of restoration work at the park. Members of Save Chatsworth have planted oak trees, native shrubs and wildflowers. They purchased a water tanker and trailer to provide proper irrigation. They have also installed fencing and a park sign.

Contributions can be mailed to Save Chatsworth Inc. at 21704 Devonshire Street, Suite 133, Chatsworth 91311. For more information, contact info@savechatsworth.org or call 818-474-3472.