Glendale Boulevard Cleanup Recap

On Saturday, November 5th, we had a cleanup event to spark a revival of the blighted portions of Glendale Boulevard between Berkeley Avenue and the 2 Freeway.

The event was a terrific example of the community coming together to effectuate progress with an aim of beautifying a neglected area.  We had more than 50 people who spread out in small groups throughout the corridor to help. We ended up filling more than 50 bags with trash and debris.  

It truly was a community effort as young people and older individuals worked side by side cleaning trash and shoveling weeds and dirt.  Peter Lassen was even zipping around in his wheel chair picking up trash and then driving around in his truck to get bulky items. 

A big thank you to EPIA for helping me organize this event.  As a concerned Echo Park resident, I went to the EPIA a few months ago with a vision to revitalize this area.  EPIA was a huge part of Saturday's success.  

It was great to see community members from all walks of life out on Saturday with a common goal.  A large group of youth fromcame out to help.  CCAC helped clear weeds and dirt from a stretch of sidewalk near the northeast corner of Berkeley and Glendale.  

Some residents walked on the sidewalk during the clean up and said, "Wow, there is actually a sidewalk here."  We uncovered an area of sidewalk that was previously covered by two inches of dirt and debris. L.A.Conservation Corp also brought out a crew that was extremely hardworking and helpful.

 Two teachers from St. Teresa of Avila School brought a number of very eager students who helped.  In addition to these groups, many individual residents came out.  I met one young man who helped because he lives next to the Boulevard and was thrilled to see efforts to clean up the corridor.  

He had his newborn baby strapped to his chest while, at the same time, sweeping and cleaning the sidewalk.  Many other community members participated and all were eager to help.  opened its doors and provided lemonade during the event.  After the event, Molly Atkinson, the owner of Pins and Needles, invited everyone to enjoy her unique pinball arcade.     

Thanks also goes to Council District 13 for participating and providing all the tools and trash bags, to for providing muffins and snacks, Jack In The Box restaurant for allowing us to use its parking lot, and a huge thanks to Dov Charney from (AA) who personally ensured that AA t-shirts were donated.  came out and donated on-site silk screening of "I ♥ Echo Park" T-shirts for all participants! 

All in all, the event was great.  Community residents made clear that they want to see improvements to this corridor.  The next goal is tree planting and other beautification.  Let's keep moving forward.