June Kickoff Event an Unqualified Success!

The Greenbelt Restoration project got off to a terrific start on June 19 and June 26 with the planting of 73 of a total of 78 trees. Approximately 50 Lakeside adults and kids volunteered to plant the trees and install drip irrigation tubing around each of them. It was hard work, but our communal energy and good spirits made the work go quickly and smoothly. The planting project was directed by Wolfgang Liebelt. The project was funded by a Community Challenge Grant and required 25 percent matching funds from the LPOA which consisting of cash and 330 volunteer hours. MANY THANKS to ALL the volunteers, to the LPOA Board, and especially to Cameron Smith and his indispensable red truck! 

The remaining 5 trees were planted after DPW removed four dead Monterey pines. The drip irrigation system has also been completed and is working as designed. Special thanks to our resident plumbing expert Steve Lyman who with help by other volunteers installed the control valves for the system several months ago they system was ready for addition of the drip tubing on the planting dates. A few minor issues with the drip system developed after the planting. A few small leaks were repaired. A few end caps popped out and were replaced. In addition, two cover boxes were sprayed with graffiti, which has been removed. 

The three tree species we planted are: 

1. Canary Island Pine (Pinus canariensis) 
2. Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) 
3. Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’ (Ceanothus variety) 

These species were selected because they can tolerate our coastal conditions of foggy summers, cool temperatures, wind, sandy soil, and salt air. Also, they are known to be drought tolerant once established and resistant to most pests and diseases. 

Next time you’re outdoors, take a walk over to Junipero Serra Blvd and look at the new trees. 78 new trees represent a significant improvement to the Greenbelt, but this is just a beginning. There is much more work that needs to be done. We need your help to make our Greenbelt a beautiful habitat once again. 

Greenbelt Maintenance Committee needs Volunteers!! 

Project Director Wolfgang Liebelt and the LPOA Board welcome all interested Lakeside residents to join the Greenbelt Maintenance Committee. No experience necessary. No age limit. Wolfgang and Linda will schedule occasional focus group sessions to discuss project plans, but, otherwise, Committee members will not be required to attend meetings. Committee Volunteers should be willing to devote a few hours each month to helping out with one or more of the following projects: 

• Monitoring of the new trees, and to adjust stakes & ties as needed 
• Monitor drip system to check for leaks, damage, vandalism, etc 
• Graffiti removal 
• A special group of Maintenance Volunteers will be trained on repairs and provided with supplies including tree ties; drip parts; and paint to remove graffiti; this group of “Trouble Shooters” will be “on call” whenever emergency work is needed 
• Event planning: cleanup days, plantings, community picnics, & more 
• Volunteers can also help by being observant and reporting any vandalism, theft, suspicious persons or activities to the Taraval police station - or call 911 – as appropriate. 

This is an exciting new program that offers volunteers a golden opportunity to give back to their community in a way that will show a visible and positive result. Please join us!

For more information and to join the Committee, please contact Wolfgang Liebelt @ #672-4203 or email him @ wolflieb@earthlink.net .

FIRST Greenbelt Committee Cleanup Day: August 21, 2010. A separate notice will be sent with time, selected tasks and other details. 

Junipero Serra Greenbelt: a Community Challenge 

By the end of 2010, our goal is to develop a 5-year management plan. Improvements will include additional plantings of trees, shrubs, ground covers. A future planting and maintenance plan must be approved, with input from the LPOA Board and residents. Regular cleanup days will be scheduled quarterly, or semiannually as needed. Mini cleanup days, using fewer volunteers, could take place monthly. Cleanup would include removal of weeds, trash, debris, discarded belongings, dead plants, and pruning of overgrown shrubbery. The first cleanup day will be August 21 in advance of the September 19 Home and Garden Tour. In addition to the Greenbelt, cleanups will also be along Wyton Lane and other open spaces in Lakeside that need attention. To help kick this off, the LPOA Board is hiring a gardener to remove ivy from the pillar at Winston Ave and Junipero Serra Blvd. 

We would like to start a campaign to encourage homeowners and tenants in Lakeside to take responsibility for the areas adjacent to their homes. You can help by simply picking up trash when you see it, or call #311 to report and request pickup of large dumped items (such as furniture) to the City. Using weed whackers, they can reduce overgrowth of vegetation along the sidewalks in front of the greenbelt. Everyone should promptly call to report suspicious activity: SF State Police, Taraval Police Station or 911 for emergencies. Another goal of the plan is to find ways in which the Greenbelt can better serve the entire Lakeside Community, in addition to being a green buffer zone between the residential area and the highway. Wide, flatter sections might become gathering spots, outfitted with seating for special events such as gardening demonstrations. One such section could possibly be developed as a community vegetable garden. There are plenty of places where artwork would be appropriate. For example, decorative tiles might improve the looks of the concrete stairways which lead from the highway to the frontage road. Also, permission might be obtained to paint murals on phone utility boxes at the corner of Holloway and Junipero Serra. 

Lastly, in order to continue to maintain and improve the Greenbelt, funding sources must be identified. Grant funding is one source, if available. Financial support from LPOA is vitally important as well, especially for projects beyond the capacities of volunteers. Other sources may include: community garage sales; bake sales; and donations from individuals for specific projects. 

For further information: contact wolflieb@earthlink.net