Eyesore transformed into treasure for future community use

On Saturday morning, June 27, 2009, an extraordinary turnout of nearly 100 Mar Vistans rallied at Old Fire Station 62, 3631 Centinela Avenue (northwest corner of Centinela at Windward), Mar Vista, for the Mayor's Citywide Day of Service.

The vacant fire station cleanup and beautification, a service project of the Mar Vista Community Council Old Fire Station 62 Ad Hoc Committee in conjunction with the Mayor's Citywide Day of Service, drew volunteers young and old from every corner of Mar Vista to remove debris, weed, trim vegetation, and rototill planting beds.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl stopped by the event to greet enthusiastic participants and sign the petition to save the station.

Donations of tools, gloves, water, iced coffee and baked goods were received appreciatively. For a complete list of volunteers and contributors, please see the Committee website: sites.google.com/a/marvista.org/fs62/?pli=1

Volunteers and donors were recognized by the Mar Vista Community Council with a certificate of appreciation and received a Mayor' Day of Service pin.

Mar Vista Stakeholders continue to meet the 3rd Wednesday of each month to discuss possible future uses including an emergency preparedness center with an area for a CERT trailer to serve Zone 6. With sweat equity, and sustainable, green restoration, Old FS 62 can become a important regional public resource.

All are welcome at the regular meeting scheduled for Sept. 16 at 7 pm outside Old Fire Station 62.  Bring your own chair and join in the discussion about our next planned activity at Old FS 62--transformation of the area around the station into a temporary public plaza and "park" for ParkingdayLA on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009.  Watch online or stop by the MVCC Farmers' market booth for details. Rally for the vision; rally to save the station!

Sharon Commins & Rachel Swanger

Old Fire Station 62 Ad Hoc Committee Co-Chairs