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
Source
http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_7666966 
