Fallen Fruit Launches Free Public Orchard in Hawthorne

The L.A.-based artist collective Fallen Fruit, the same group behind Los Angeles' community fruit tree maps, recently revealed their lastest endeavor: a twenty-seven tree orchard located just south of LAX at Hawthorne's Del Aire park.

The trees will be part of California's first-ever publically funded community orchard. Organizers David Burns, Matias Viegener, and Austin Young of Falle Fruit were recipients of a $24,000 grant, funded by L.A. County's Civic Art Program, which was used to purchase saplings for the park, institute a tree-adoption program for local community members and host jam-making parties from harvested public fruit.

According to TakePart.com, the selection of trees includings lemons, limes, pomegranates, persimmons, various hybrid stone fruits and a few different types of figs. Fallen Fruit hopes to expand their public orchard by rehabbing other parks in conjunction with Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

It will be several months before the group's efforts bear the literal fruits of their labor, but fans of local (and free) produce should take heart that their nearest park might soon replace a run to the supermarket.

For more information, check out FallenFruit.org or TakePart.com.

Del Aire Park: 12601 Isis Ave, Hawthorne.

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