It is interesting that Mayor Ferre has latched onto an idea expressed in the blog for years. Community Fruit Preserve is a great idea.
However, when going about this there should be a couple of bits of added thought.
The Redlands Orange Conservancy is a business that sales oranges by subscription. This pays the farmer an income sufficient to take care of the crops. Well, a 2 ac grove is not sufficient to employ this economic strategy, particularly when you are starting from bare ground.
An alternative may be to get assistance from the University of Riverside Agriculture Department and First Five Community Development and Nutrition Improvement Program, and other grants may be available for the establishment of a truly PUBLIC Grove.
The location along the Bluff and planting trees that need a significant amount of irrigation does not seem to be the brightest of ideas. Trees that are more drought tolerant or require minimal amount of added water once established. Pistachios, Walnuts, some varieties of Almonds, Jujubes, Pomegranates, would all fit these conditions. There are also native plants that would produce berries for blue birds, and other wild life that has become scares in recent years. Oranges and Citrus could be planted close to Grand Terrace Road, and work North with ever increasing drought tolerant plantings. If possible it would be a good idea to have a community goat or two to keep the weeds abated under the trees, this could be arranged by having a mobile goat run so the goat does not get at the trees themselves. Perhaps a 4H Park…This idea of planting should be extended down Canal, and in the Triangle on Canal/Mt. Vernon and along the freeway fence.
Public Planting of Permaculture Plants would provide the PUBLIC particularly Children and Seniors with Fruit and Nuts grown right here in Grand Terrace. The cost of maintaining these Public Plants should be no less the cost absorbed by the city for the Trees on Main Street or the City Parks, and Past Beautification Plantings and Islands. These however, would produce a product for the citizens to enjoy.
Like with the Goats, and the Planting of Fruit Trees, the Daily Blog Readers from the City Offices incorporate these comments and passes them on to Mayor Ferre. One would hope Mrs. Ferre would not make out that it was here original idea. She is supposed to be an example of some sort. If the idea is a good one, present it with out taking "Credit" for it.
Citrus planting plans in works
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 12/07/2007 10:05:06 PM PST
GRAND TERRACE - Nearly a century ago, The Terrace - as this city was then known - was covered with citrus groves.
Today, the groves have given way to housing tracts and businesses.
City officials want to bring back a slice of the past.
A plan is in its infancy to convert a 2-acre vacant strip at the northern entrance into the city to a historical citrus grove.
The project would be across the street from a new senior housing complex and park expected to open next year.
Mayor Maryetta Ferre has proposed planting dozens of commemorative orange or lemon trees at the northeast corner of Mount Vernon Avenue and Grand Terrace Road that would serve as a reminder of the city's citrus heritage.
"I think it's a natural thing to plant a citrus grove to pay tribute to Grand Terrace's citrus history," Ferre said.
Denis Kidd, who had the last orange groves in Grand Terrace, said he supports the concept of bringing back the city's citrus roots.
"I think that's a great idea because there used to a lot of citrus groves in Grand Terrace," Kidd said.
Assistant City Manager Steve Berry said the rows of trees would go under power lines on the city-owned property.
The trees will complement the city's ongoing effort to improve its appearance, Berry said.
Crews recently planted 45 juniper bushes under power lines on the southwest corner of Mount Vernon and Grand Terrace Road.
"The juniper trees screen your vision from the Edison power field," Berry said. "The idea is to do the same thing with the citrus trees."
Grand Terrace's grove would be similar to one off the 215 Freeway at the Center Street exit in the nearby community of Highgrove.
Berry said Grand Terrace needs to figure out the details of the project, including funding and maintenance of the grove.
The city wants to work with the Inland Orange Conservancy, a Mentone-based nonprofit that aims to save orange trees in the region.
"We would be delighted to work with Grand Terrace on a project like that," said Bob Knight, conservancy founder. "We're eager to find out what's going on and what we can do to help."
Kidd, 65, sold his 50 acres of orange groves a few years ago to a developer.
stephen.wall@sbsun.com
(909) 386-3916
