By Alexa Lewis-Rosenfeld
Words can hardly express our gratitude for Al’s incredible dedication and leadership as a volunteer with the San Diego River Park Foundation.
For anyone who has enjoyed the emerging native plant gardens and grounds at Grant Park or the beauty of the Point Loma Native Plant Garden (PLNPG), Al’s passion and unwavering dedication as a volunteer leader is behind it. Al dedicates countless hours each week and has been instrumental in creating and maintaining the beautiful grounds and native plants at Grant Park and the Point Loma Native Plant Garden. From native plant landscape design to managing our native seed library, to leading fellow volunteers and community groups in planting native plants, removing invasive plants, mulching, watering, weeding, and repairing fences and other maintenance, Al’s contribution has been enormous in transforming the PLNPG and getting Grant Park ready for our Cool River Education Program to provide free nature learning experiences to thousands of underserved students.
Reflecting on his favorite part of caring for Grant Park, Al shared:
“The best part of my work at Grant Park was the initial removal during 2020 of the large non-native trees and shrubs that dominated the landscape. Working with a small group of 70+ year-old volunteers, we regularly exceeded our expectations—cutting down 50-foot-tall palm trees, 50-foot-wide pepper trees, and giant pampas grass and Arundo patches up to 25 feet tall.”
That kind of determination and teamwork is what inspires us every day. Almost daily, dedicated community members like Al take action to restore the San Diego River and its park system—building healthier, more vibrant habitats for pollinators, wildlife, and people alike.
Thanks to Al’s leadership and many other volunteers, the native plant gardens at Grant Park and Point Loma are now living classrooms and beautiful nature refuges for the community. They help reduce wildfire and flood risk, improve watershed health, and provide a space where students can explore nature with all five senses.
Al describes one of his proudest moments at the Point Loma Native Plant Garden:
“A few years into my stewardship, I noticed what seemed to be an ‘ecological transformation.’ The plants and trees looked healthier, there were fewer weeds, and more volunteer native plants. I like to believe our efforts had something to do with that.”
When asked what keeps him coming back, Al says:
“It’s about purpose and people. Having a source of a sense of accomplishment is important now that my professional career is over, but even more important is the social aspect of volunteering. I enjoy the Foundation staff, the interns, my fellow volunteers, and the neighbors of the Point Loma Garden (and their dogs) that I see regularly. Grant Park will soon have its own community of neighbors and visitors.”
We couldn’t agree more—and we’re so grateful for Al’s long-lasting impact in creating vibrant green spaces for students and the community and healthier wildlife habitats along the San Diego River.
🌿 Want to join Al in getting out into nature with the community and creating and caring for native plant gardens at Grant Park? Join our Mission Valley Garden Club every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month at Grant Park or learn more at our fun Mission Valley Garden Club Info Sessions. Learn more here.