Artesia News

Adopt-A-Wall Returns!


Artesia’s Beautification and Maintenance Commission in conjunction with the Public Safety Commission are spearheading a campaign to complete the vine planting along the block walls in Artesia and they need the community’s help.

Planting vines to cover walls has proven to be an effective tactic in fighting graffiti; denying taggers, vandals, and gang-members an otherwise easy target, a blank wall which may as well be a large canvas to tag on. The Adopt-A-Wall program started a few years ago and the majority of walls are green and graffiti-free, expertly maintained by the Public Works staff but there are still a few areas that need to be completed.

“In order to complete the process, we are reviving the Adopt-A-Wall program and seeking donations to pay for the core drilling of the sidewalks and to purchase the vines and other necessary materials,” said Karen Speers, chairperson of the Beautification and Maintenance Commission.

Community volunteers will be planting the vines. The first area scheduled for completion is along Gridley Road where many vines are already fully developed along the walls. “The intent is to fill in the vacant areas along Gridley so we’ll have a more uniform street,” said Speers.

The commissions say that any contribution is appreciated but the suggested donation for a business is $500 and for residents it is $75. Checks should be payable to the City of Artesia with a notation on the check stating it is for the Adopt-A-Wall program. Checks can be mailed to the City of Artesia, 18747 Clarkdale Avenue, Artesia 90701. “Also, if you own one (or more) of the block walls selected for vine planting, we would appreciate it if you would give permission to allow the vine planting,” Speers added.

The first phase of the program is expected to cost approximately $6,000 to complete, so the commissioners are asking for as many donors as possible. The commissioners say this is a wonderful opportunity to do something positive for the community and gain a tax deduction at the same time.

The two commissions believe residents and businesses will agree that the vines on the walls have been an effective deterrent to graffiti and have improved the look of the city, and are asking residents to continue the beautifying of Artesia. A community-wide call out for volunteers to help plant the vines is tentatively planned on September 17, so stay tuned.

Please contact Artesia City Hall at 562 865-6262 for further information.

A section of Adopt-A-Wall
on South Street between
Elaine Avenue and Norwalk.
Another successful part of the Adopt-A-Wall program started several years ago. This is also on South Street.
 Beautiful greenery planted in previous years on Artesia Boulevard between Pioneer and Roseton.

Block wall on Gridley--
blocks of paint cover up graffiti,
but are noticable.

Block wall on Gridley
with no vines
featuring blocks of paint.

Corner block wall on Gridley
now covered with vines, looks
cooling and attractive.

 

 

 

 

 

TOP OF PAGE