Type
Community
Location
South Los Angeles, CA
Year
2024
Area
5,000 sq ft lot
Materials
2,000 board feet of reclaimed softwood
Timeline
4 weeks
Budget Range
Donated / At-cost
Wood Species Used
- Reclaimed Redwood (raised beds)
- Reclaimed Douglas Fir (pavilion structure)
- Reclaimed Cedar (fencing)
Finishes Applied
- Raw / untreated for garden beds
- Natural linseed oil on pavilion
- Untreated weathering finish on fencing
Project Story
This community garden project was a collaboration between LA Lumber, local nonprofits, and neighborhood volunteers to create a vibrant green space in an underserved area of South Los Angeles. The vacant lot, which had been unused for over a decade, was transformed into a thriving garden that now serves as both a food source and a gathering place for the community.
The idea originated when a group of neighborhood residents approached the South LA Building Healthy Communities initiative about converting the vacant lot — which had become a dumping ground for trash and debris — into a productive community space. When the initiative reached out to us for material support, we immediately committed to donating a significant portion of the lumber and supplying the rest at our cost.
We provided reclaimed redwood for the raised garden beds, specifically chosen because redwood is naturally rot-resistant and does not require chemical treatment — critical for a food-growing application. The redwood was salvaged from a residential deck demolition in Brentwood, and despite being 30 years old, was still in excellent structural condition thanks to redwood's natural durability.
The community gathering pavilion was framed with reclaimed Douglas fir timbers, creating a covered 20x16-foot space with bench seating that serves as an outdoor classroom, meeting area, and shaded rest spot. The pavilion was designed by a volunteer architect and built over two weekends by community members with guidance from our team.
Perimeter fencing was constructed from reclaimed cedar boards, providing security for the garden while maintaining an open, welcoming appearance. The cedar was left untreated to weather naturally to a silver-gray patina that complements the natural setting.
Over 60 volunteers participated in the build, including families, students from nearby Jefferson High School, and members of the LA Conservation Corps. Our staff provided on-site guidance for safe construction practices and proper material handling throughout the build weekends.
The garden now serves over 50 families and includes 30 raised beds, a tool shed, compost bins, and the covered pavilion where community workshops on nutrition, cooking, and sustainable gardening are held monthly. The garden has become a model for community-led green space development in South LA.
This project exemplifies our commitment to community — using reclaimed materials to build spaces that bring people together while keeping waste out of landfills. We continue to supply replacement materials as needed and host annual maintenance days at the garden.
Before & After
BBefore
The 5,000 sq ft vacant lot had been unused for over a decade, accumulating trash, debris, and overgrown weeds. The soil was compacted and contaminated with construction debris. Chain-link fencing around the perimeter was rusted and damaged. The lot was a blight on the neighborhood and a source of frustration for nearby residents who wanted to see the space put to productive use.
AAfter
The lot is now a thriving community garden with 30 raised redwood beds arranged in organized rows, a shaded Douglas fir pavilion with seating for 20 people, attractive cedar perimeter fencing, a tool shed, composting stations, and gravel pathways connecting all areas. The space is lush with vegetables, herbs, and flowers, and is actively used by dozens of families throughout the week. It has become a neighborhood landmark and source of pride.
Material Specifications
Raised Beds
Reclaimed redwood, 2x12" planks, 30 beds at 4'x8' each. Untreated — redwood's natural tannins provide rot resistance without chemicals. Sourced from Brentwood deck demolition.
Pavilion Structure
Reclaimed Douglas fir, 6x6" posts and 4x8" beams, 20'x16' covered area. Linseed oil finish for weather protection.
Bench Seating
Reclaimed Douglas fir, 2x6" planks on fir frames, seating for approximately 20 people under the pavilion.
Perimeter Fencing
Reclaimed western red cedar, 1x6" boards, 6' height, approximately 280 linear feet. Left untreated to weather naturally.
Project Timeline
Planning & Design
2 weeksVolunteer architect created the site plan. Our team assessed material needs and selected appropriate reclaimed species for each application.
Site Preparation
1 week (weekday)Lot cleanup by LA Conservation Corps members. Debris removal, soil testing, and gravel pathway installation. Raised bed areas prepared with weed barrier.
Material Preparation
1 weekCut raised bed components to size at our facility. Pre-drilled assembly holes. Organized all materials into labeled kits for efficient volunteer assembly.
Community Build Weekend 1
2 daysOver 40 volunteers assembled and placed 30 raised beds, installed perimeter fencing posts, and began pavilion post installation.
Community Build Weekend 2
2 daysCompleted pavilion structure and roofing, finished fencing, built bench seating, and filled raised beds with donated soil and compost. Garden planted on the same day.
Challenges & Solutions
Challenge
Soil testing revealed elevated lead levels in the existing soil, making direct ground planting unsafe for food crops.
Solution
The raised bed design solved this by bringing in clean soil above the contaminated ground. We lined the bottom of each bed with landscape fabric to prevent root contact with the underlying soil. All growing is done in the raised beds with imported clean soil.
Challenge
Budget was extremely limited — the community organizations had minimal funding for materials.
Solution
We donated approximately 60% of the lumber and provided the remaining 40% at our cost. Our staff volunteered their time for design consultation and on-site build supervision. Local soil and compost suppliers also donated materials.
Challenge
Most volunteers had no construction experience, making efficient building with reclaimed lumber challenging.
Solution
We pre-cut and pre-drilled all materials at our facility, creating numbered assembly kits with illustrated instructions. This allowed volunteers to assemble raised beds in under 20 minutes each, with our staff providing guidance.
“Before this garden, our kids had nowhere safe to play outside. Now they are growing their own vegetables, learning about nature, and we all have a beautiful place to come together. The fact that it was built with recycled wood makes it even more special — everything here has been given a second chance, including this lot.”
Maria G.
Garden Organizer & Neighborhood Resident