Valley Glen Neighborhood

Valley Glen Neighborhood

A Brief History of Valley Glen

The Beginnings 1990 - Neighborhood Watch, Area 966

Doug Claybourne, then a resident on Allott Avenue, organized a neighborhood watch program for LAPD Area 966, which is bounded by Victory on the north, Fulton on the east, the MTA right-of-way on the south and Woodman on the west. This group did graffiti cleanup, created the Safe House program (which was later adopted by LAUSD) and obtained a traffic light for Erwin and Fulton after a pedestrian hit and run accident.

In 1993, co-founders Doug Claybourne and Carol Morell suggested a homeowners association for Area 966 with the goal of pursuing a name change for the area. Their effort led to the formation of the Valley Glen Neighborhood Association, qualifying Doug and Carol as the founding members.

1994 - Proposed Name Change for Area 966

Block captains in Area 966 attended a meeting to consider possible name changes. Ideas included College Park, Erwin Oaks, Valley Oaks, Erwin Ranch and Walnut Grove. This effort led to an interim name, College/Walnut Park.

1996 - Neighborhood Association is formed

Recognizing that many of the issues that needed to be addressed were beyond the charter of Neighborhood Watch, the neighborhood association was formed in 1996. The bylaws were drafted and approved by the organizing group and the first elections were held.

1997 - Association boundaries expanded and a community name selected

Valley Glen is born. Marc Thurston, the first elected president of the association, led the effort to finalize the bylaws, decide upon the boundaries and, most importantly, to seek community approval of a new name for the area. The boundaries were expanded to Victory on the north, Coldwater on the east, Burbank on the south and Hazeltine on the west. The name, Valley Glen, was selected. This name change received the support of 87% of the homeowners in the expanded area. The presentation and petitions were so well received that 5th District Council Member, Michael Feuer, offered an opportunity to the surrounding areas to join in the name change.

1998 - The Valley Glen boundaries are set and the signs go up

Councilman Feuer divided the area of Council District 5 into quadrants and agreed to include all quadrants that received signatures from at least 70% of the homeowners. Twelve of the thirteen quadrants banded together and officially became Valley Glen on June 23, 1998. Signs denoting this were erected throughout the area shortly thereafter. The Valley Glen Neighborhood Association expanded its boundaries to conform with the Department of Transportation designated boundaries. Today, Valley Glen is recognized by all of the schools in the area, many of the merchants and most of the homeowners.

Presidents

Marc Thurston............December 1996 - December 1997
Peer Ghent...............December 1997 - December 1998
Marc Thurston............December 1998 - December 1999
Carlos Ferreyra..........December 1999 - December 2001
Asta Criss...............January 2002 - February 2005 Peer Ghent...............February 2005 - present

About our association

Goals

The goal of our Association is to foster a stronger sense of community pride to make our neighborhood a better and safer place to live.

The goals will be accomplished by activities including but not limited to:

Get-acquainted programs with our neighbors
Improving neighborhood safety
Promoting neighborhood beautification
Holding bimonthly meetings to discuss neighborhood buisness
Working together as advocates to address community problems

Improving the Community

Please support VGNA's goal to foster community pride in Valley Glen. Your $20.00 or more sponsorship will allow us to keep painting out graffiti, hosting community get-togethers and printing the Valley Glen Voice.

Since its inception, our volunteer Association has worked diligently to improve our community and maintain the value and livability of our neighborhood. Valley Glen Neighborhood Association is a Non-Profit organization, and as such is eligible for matching funds from a variety of city and statewide programs.

Make a difference

You can make a difference and improve the quality of life in Valley Glen. Your contribution will be used for a variety of projects, such as public plantings, clean-ups, and an annual picnic. Sponsors also can vote at annual VGNA elections by absentee ballot.

Please make your check payable to the Valley Glen Neighborhood Association. You may give your check to any VGNA Board member or mail it to 13659 Victory Blvd., PMB 283, Valley Glen, CA 91401. Thank you very much for your generous support!