Shops on E Mariposa St. & Lake Ave. (Photo – Emmanuel Kraultez).
One of the appealing reasons for people moving to Altadena is its “original” character. Once someone has lived in town for a few years, the feeling of being a bit independent and a little ‘off the grid’ permeates one’s psyche to the point of no return.
By The Editorial Board
At least that’s the feeling being shared by many residents in Altadena. In a report* from 2017, authored by Altadena Public Library Director Mindy Kittay and Community Engagement Specialist Brian Biery, questions were raised about what improvements Altadenans would like to see in this wonderful and diverse unincorporated area of Los Angeles County.
The responses were as eclectic as the town itself. Many participants stated how they loved being slightly out of step with the rest of society and could not imagine living in nearby cities with their layers of regulations and bureaucracy.
Below are some of the guidelines the community came up with in order to maintain the unique charm of Altadena while celebrating the town’s diversity in all sectors:
- Promote the farmers market since it creates community.
- Identify public spaces for artists/musicians to exhibit and perform.
- Encourage young families to get involved in the community.
- Hold craft fairs around town.
- Plan an annual parade.
- Develop an art center.
- Organize an ‘art walk’ as a community-wide event.
- Organize a car show.
- Increase the number of cultural programs provided by the Altadena Library.
In addition, the need for the development of a central meeting space where neighborhood folks can congregate was also discussed, which the Library is already implementing through concerts and various cultural events.
As with any positive changes, improvements are met with challenges. One of the main challenges come from some local residents who hold on to tradition, and are resistant to change.
Will there be enough interest to move forward with some of the requested improvements? It’s not an easy question to answer, but with the right amount of energy from enough Altadenans who value Altadena’s unique character and diversity, fresh ideas can become reality.
*The Altadena Library spearheaded this initiative as part of the Libraries Transforming Communities (American Library Association initiative), which seeks to strengthen libraries’ roles as community leaders and change agents using the Harwood Institute’s Turning Outward approach to community engagement. Libraries around the country are using the approach to better understand their communities and to bring about positive change.
That is Mariposa in the photo, not Altadena Dr.
I take issue with this graf: “As with any positive changes, improvements are met with challenges. One of the main challenges come from some local residents who hold on to tradition, and are resistant to change.”
It is true some residents want no change, but I wouldn’t call it the main challenge. It’s not that most people want NO change, it’s that they don’t want CERTAIN changes. I haven’t heard any complaints about the new park, nor the relatively new cafe above Mariposa, nor about things happening at the library. People DO want the empty stores filled and most want to avoid chains and big boxes. This is just my take, of course.
Thank you Laura, we corrected the photo caption to say Mariposa.
My family and I recently had to move away from Altadena due to increasing rents with no increasing paychecks, and I miss it so much! We always wished there would be a soap box derby down Lake. That could be SO fun and funky and artistic and scientific and cool, a perfect representation of the people of Altadena!