This week, LFIA saw the long-awaited return of the missing street trees on the south side of Franklin Avenue between Normandie and Western Avenues.  Eight new trees were planted, joining the north side trees replaced in 2018.

Trees Go Missing – In the 1950’s, Franklin Avenue was widened and in the process, all the mature trees in the parkway were cut down. New trees were then planted in sidewalk cutouts, but several of trees died and weren’t replaced. A partial tree replacement planting took place in the 1980’s in select spots.

Trees Replanted – Spurred by LFIA board member, Don Seligman, CD4 Councilman David Ryu’s Discretionary Funds Task Force awarded funding in 2018 to replace the trees on the north side.  LFIA’s community benefit fund covered the cost of the eight new trees on the south side of Franklin.  With the assistance of CD4, LFIA arranged for the permits and contracting of the Los Angeles Conservation Corps to plant the eight remaining trees.

Three years of maintenance, including replacement of trees that do not make it through the initial planting, is included in the contract.