Wildlife Sanctuary to Mark Anniversary
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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.
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