Signal Tribune Newspaper

By CAROL THOMPSON
Special to the Signal Tribune

It has been a long-time goal of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BK BIA) to establish the roots of revitalization by reaching out to the surrounding community, fostering involvement and support for its efforts. This past weekend, evidence of the success of this effort was in full bloom as the members of Boy Scout Troop 29, lead by Eagle Scout candidate Tyler Anderson, gave their time and labor to transform a blighted parkway into a welcoming urban garden.

The vision for the project on the north side of Carson in front of the Panda Garden restaurant came initially from Thor Carlson, president of the BKBIA, and owner of Thor Antiques on Atlantic. “From my business I look out to this corner and have been disturbed by the sight of the gravel-filled city-owned parkway” said Carlson. “I brought it to the attention of the BKBIA revitalization committee with the suggestion of, at minimum, landscaping the parkway with trees.” From there the vision expanded to the idea of an urban garden that would be a welcome oasis for pedestrians, perhaps a shaded area to enjoy during a lunch hour.”
The project was included in a wish list of revitalization projects presented to the North Long Beach Project Area Committee of the Redevelopment Agency and was approved by the committee, resulting in a $10,000 grant of redevelopment funds.
In what was fortuitous timing, 17-year-old Anderson contacted the BKBIA in late July in pursuit of a community-based project that he could adopt as his service project to earn his Eagle Scout designation. “The timing was perfect as the RDA had just approved funding” said Blair Cohn, BKBIA executive director.
Tyler, a resident of Bixby Knolls in his senior year at the California Academy of Math and Science, assumed full responsibility for the project, which included developing a detailed plan with cost estimates and labor requirements, lining up contractors, and soliciting donations to make up an estimated shortfall of the $6000 project costs exceeding the RDA grant. “Tyler is amazing,” said Carlson. “He attended every revitalization meeting and took detailed notes to ensure the final project would be fully realized as the committee envisioned it. As soon as he accepted the project, he assumed all responsibility for project planning. All we did was provide contact information for contractors.”
The beauty of the project extends beyond the creation of a garden, as it exemplifies the best in collaborative efforts. The design for the garden was finalized with the artistic vision of landscape designer Tony Chacon of Melendrez landscape Design, who worked with founder of California Heights ReLeaf, and current California Heights Neighborhood Association president John Royce, who championed the use of native trees and plants in the design. The garden will include four native sycamore trees, which are consistent with existing trees along Carson’s residential parkways, and approximately 70 native and drought-resistant plants. Costs for the plants were reduced by about one quarter through donations Anderson secured from H&H Nursery in Lakewood and Village Nurseries. Concrete cutting services, completed by David LaLonde, were donated by Crew Grading, and sprinkler installation has been donated by Jerry’s Landscaping and Maintenance.
And while this is Anderson’s Eagle Scout project, it could not be completed without his winning the support of Bixby Knolls’ Troop 29, whose members, ranging in age from 10 to 18 years, were out early Saturday morning and throughout the day, contributing their muscle and sweat, raking up gravel, pounding out concrete and roto-tilling the soil for the benefit of the community. Fortunately for the crew, Tyler’s efforts included securing generous donations from surrounding businesses such as Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Panda Garden, Redbrick Pizza and Hawaiian Bar-B-que, ensuring proper sustenance for the volunteers.
With the donations and volunteer effort Anderson secured, final costs for the planting may not exceed the $10,000 funding provided by the RDA, and he is hopeful there may be partial funding for one of the high-quality benches specified in the plan. “Our goal was to create a wonderful urban parkway that would complement the revitalization efforts along Atlantic Avenue,” added Carlson. “The benches are a beautiful component of the garden and we are hopeful we can encourage some of our corporate neighbors to consider sponsoring a bench to complete this effort.”
Executive director Blair Cohn noted that with the tenuous economy’s effects on local businesses, it is even more important for the BIA to keep beautification efforts moving forward, as fostering pride in the neighborhood by keeping the district inviting is an important component in attracting residents to the district. “We’ve just got to keep marching forward,” said Cohn.
For Anderson, whose father and mother were proudly watching their son manage Saturday’s workforce, the completed project will be the culmination of his achievements as a boy scout, earning the Eagle Scout designation, while leaving behind a permanent reminder of Troop 29’s contribution to the community. “Because this is a local project, troop members will see the results on a regular basis and will be proud of their work,” said Anderson.
The project is expected to be completed by Saturday November 8. If you are interested in bench sponsorship opportunities, you may contact the BKBIA at (562) 595-0081.

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