Wildlife Sanctuary to Mark Anniversary
A year ago it was an eyesore at the end of a parking lot off Thompson Boulevard near Chrisman Avenue, but now it is a sanctuary for butterflies, birds and native plants, thanks to a $500 grant from the State Parks Foundation and the efforts of Gwendolyn Alley.
The one-year anniversary of the Midtown Monarch Paradise Park, which Alley spearheaded with the support of the Midtown Ventura Community Council, will be celebrated with a spring cleaning social Saturday and Sunday. Alley, who lives near the site, got the idea for the project from staring out her window.
Over a six-month period, residents pulled weeds, hauled away mattresses, and planted flowers native to Ventura County, including Matilija poppies, a Santa Cruz Island giant coreopsis and white sage. During the summer solstice volunteers created a Solemaze, a weaving, rock-lined path in the middle of the garden, to be used for walking meditation.
The cleanup is from 9 a.m. to noon and will be followed by a living history performance. There will be free bagels, coffee and pizza.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
