LOS ANGELES, March 3, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- In an early Arbor Day celebration, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and the Westchester Streetscape Improvement Association (WSIA) today launched the planting of new street trees at a public ceremony. LAWA is implementing the project in response to a request from WSIA as part of the association's overall streetscape improvement project along Sepulveda Boulevard in Westchester.
The LAWA-funded activity will consist of the planting of 83 Purple Orchid trees to be spaced 50 feet apart along both sides of Westchester Parkway between Will Rogers Street and Airport Boulevard. The selected tree species, formally named Bauhinia Purpurea, has been designated a recommended street tree for the Southern California region.
LAWA Executive Director Kim Day said, "We consider this landscaping project to be not only an opportunity to improve the appearance of airport-owned property in the Westchester neighborhood, but a means of building onto an ongoing series of environmentally-friendly activities. LAWA is pleased to collaborate with WSIA on a highly visible beautification project that will also have ongoing environmental benefits."
WSIA President John Ruhlen commented, "Our mission at WSIA is to beautify our local streets, and we commend LAWA for taking this major step toward beautifying Westchester Parkway. We are hopeful this will become a model for what we can do along other major boulevards within our community."
Board of Airport Commissioner David Voss said, "I applaud the leadership of John Ruhlen and the WSIA membership as they find constructive and creative ways to support an exciting renovation project along Sepulveda Boulevard. John and his WSIA colleagues have made it very easy to find the specific way in which LAWA can support the Sepulveda Streetscape project."
The Westchester Streetscape Improvement Association, initially known as the Sepulveda Task Force, was founded in 2001 to oversee the implementation of a $5.8 million City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation capacity enhancement project on Sepulveda Boulevard. The organization has since expanded its scope, and is working with community residents, businesses, city departments, commuters and other interested parties to craft a new vision for the future of Sepulveda Boulevard between Lincoln and Manchester.
In 2003, the WSIA applied for 501(c) 3 non-profit status and is now seeking resources to make the revitalization of Sepulveda Boulevard a reality.
Los Angeles World Airports is a self-sustaining department of the City of Los Angeles that owns and operates four airports -- Los Angeles International (LAX), Ontario International (ONT), Van Nuys (VNY), and Palmdale Regional (PMD). LAWA receives no funds from the City General Fund.