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This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Food

Keep Calm And Veg On: Parkway Gardens Approved By City Council

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Photo by via the Dwight Sippler on Flickr

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The Los Angeles City Council decided to waive a law that prohibited gardening enthusiasts and food activists from planting fruits and veggies on public parkways.

The council advised enforcers to immediately suspend any punishment while they work on rewriting the ordinance and figuring out a permitting process for gardeners.

The motion was initiated by Council President Herb Wesson and was agreed upon by a 15-0 vote, according to City News Service.

The issue was initially highlighted by TED speaker and South L.A. activist Ron Finley, and more recently brought to light by two citations that were given out to area gardeners.

Councilmembers recognized that doling out citiations in a city that's dealing with a health crisis didn't make much sense. Says CNS:

Councilman Mike Bonin said he supports the vegetable gardens because Los Angeles has a "wellness crisis" while Councilman Felipe Fuentes, an avid gardener, pointed to a "tremendous diabetes crisis" in his San Fernando Valley district.

So expect to see greener parkways in your near future.

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