First Ever Redondo Beach Community Garden Celebrates Grand Opening

REDONDO BEACH, CA — Growing as a community is easy as ever in Redondo Beach as the city's first ever community garden celebrated its grand opening on Wednesday.

City officials, donors, members of the community, volunteers and plot lottery winners gathered at the garden for the ribbon cutting ceremony. The garden is a collaboration between the city and the South Bay Parkland Conservancy where community members are able to use 26 4 feet by 8 feet plots.

“Congratulations to South Bay Parkland Conservancy and everyone involved in making
this public community garden happen,” said Mayor Bill Brand. “The fact that they had
to draw names from a hat and have a waiting list of nearly 100, shows there’s demand
out there for more.”

The idea to create the garden started in the summer of 2020 in light of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, SBPC said. Residents formed a group after recognizing the importance of growing their own food to ensure food security for families and individuals.

"The interest in gardening, and growing your own food really grew in the last few years," said Angela Klipp, SBPC Board Member and Garden lead. “We’re honored and passionate about bringing the option to grow your own food, practice sustainable and healthy living and continue building a thriving community in Redondo Beach.”

The resident group reached out to the SBPC and from there, the conservancy got in touch with the city to make the dream a reality. The community garden is a collaboration between SBPC and the city and will be managed by the SBPC.

In addition to the plots, the garden includes fruit trees and pollinator plants around the perimeter as well as an educational space for events and the SBPC's compost program. Plots go for $120 per year and non-plot memberships cost $35 per year.

“We’re so excited to bring the opportunity to grow your own food to the residents of Redondo Beach,” said Jim Light, president of SBPC. “It’s been a special collaboration with the city of Redondo Beach and we’re excited to see this community project become a reality.”

The community garden is located at 715 Julia Ave. in Redondo Beach.