2/29/2024
1 RiversideCA.gov
1 RiversideCA.gov
PROPOSED 5-YEAR PLAN TO ENHANCE
AND BEAUTIFY VICTORIA AVENUE
MOBILITY & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
MARCH 14, 2024
Public Works Department
RiversideCA.gov
2 HISTORY OF VICTORIA AVENUE
• Victoria Avenue exists thanks to Matthew
Gage, a jeweler who moved to Riverside in
1881
• Gage engineered and developed the Gage
Canal to bring irrigation water from artesian
wells in San Bernardino County to the citrus
groves in Arlington Heights
• He imagined a main boulevard in Arlington
Heights with different types of trees and
named it Victoria Avenue after the Queen of
England
• Gage’s vision introduced the many varieties of
trees and plants along Victoria Avenue
1 2
2/29/2024
2 RiversideCA.gov
3 HISTORY OF VICTORIA AVENUE
• In 1969, Victoria Avenue became Riverside
Cultural Heritage Landmark #8 and in October of
2000 it was added to the National Park Service’s
Register of Historic Places
• Most of Victoria Avenue is a linear drive from
Myrtle Avenue to La Sierra Avenue
• Features over 6,000 trees, including more than
1,000 orange trees, tens of thousands of ‘Ragged
Robin’ roses, 9 miles of walking trails, the Rosanna
Scott Memorial Bicycle Trail, and various shrubs
and ground covers along its length
• Popular, year-round attraction for bicyclists,
joggers and Sunday afternoon driving enthusiasts
RiversideCA.gov
4 VICTORIA AVENUE
Crosses Wards 1, 3, 4, 5
Proposed project area
is 7.77-mile section in
Wards 3, 4, 5
3 4
2/29/2024
3 RiversideCA.gov
5 Mission Statement
“To Preserve, Restore, and Beautify Historic Victoria Avenue through Community Volunteer Efforts, Education, and Advocacy”
• In 1990, several large Eucalyptus trees were slated for removal along Victoria Avenue
• Concerned residents, including Hal Snyder, Rosanna Scott, Mary Humbolt, Pati Weir, and Earl Shade, were fearful that the trees would not be replanted and founded Victoria Avenue Forever, a public benefit, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation
VICTORIA AVENUE FOREVER
RiversideCA.gov
6 • Raises funds for planting trees and other ornamentals, organizes workdays devoted to tree planting, tree care, r oses plantings, garden creation and maintenance
• Educates the public about the history and value of the plantings on Victoria Avenue through newsletters, brochures , educational panels in kiosks, and special events
• VAF volunteers care for Victoria Aven ue through maintenance of existing plantings, weed and pest control, irrigation, signage, policy for development and traffic, and garden development and upkeep
VICTORIA AVENUE FOREVER
5 6
2/29/2024
4 RiversideCA.gov
7 November 19, 2019 - City Council
approved the revised Victoria Avenue
Policy for Preservation, Design, and
Development as an amendment to
the 2003 Victoria Avenue Ad Hoc
Committee Policy related to tree
species selection, landscaping,
irrigation, trails, roadway maintenance,
development standards, right of way
dedications, and other improvements
in conjunction with new development
CARE OF VICTORIA AVENUE
RiversideCA.gov
8 • City and VAF aim to preserve the cultural heritage of Victoria Avenue
• January 25, 2022 – City Council approved Public Service Agreement with Victoria Avenue Forever for volunteer services along Victoria Avenue (La Sierra to Myrtle Avenues)
– Planting trees, roses, ornamental plants, community cleanup, special events, and garden care
CARE OF VICTORIA AVENUE
7 8
2/29/2024
5 RiversideCA.gov
9 • Public Works budget includes $650,000 for
monthly landscape maintenance, citrus tree
maintenance, "Ragged Robin" rose
propagation, and water
• Measure Z – Citywide tree trimming
– $1 million for trimming citywide canopy trees
• Reduced trim cycle from 8-10 years to 4-5 years
– $2 million to increase citywide palm tree
trimming to biennial cycle
CARE OF VICTORIA AVENUE
RiversideCA.gov
10 Irrigation system repairs and upgrades
3-inch layer of mulch in all medians
Increase propagation of Ragged Robin
roses
Repair chain link fence at City orange
grove
Artwork on utility cabinets
Possible additional drinking fountains
Benches
Educational kiosks
Repair of asphalt walking path
RESTORING THE GLORY OF VICTORIA AVENUE
9 10
2/29/2024
6 RiversideCA.gov
11 5-YEAR PROJECT
$775,000Irrigation repairs and bark mulch installation1 $280,000Ragged Robin roses, appoint artist, repair chain link fence, plant trees, add kiosk, bench and
drinking fountain near proposed new trailhead
location
2 $76,000Fountains placed on walkway, benches & kiosks3 $812,000Phase One walking trail renovations4
$840,000Phase Two walking trail renovations5
Year Task Cost
RiversideCA.gov
12 Strategic Priority 4 – Environmental Stewardship
Goal 4.5: Maintain and conserve 30% of Riverside’s natural lands in green space including, but not limited to, agricultural lands and urban forests in order to protect and restore Riverside’s rich biodiversity and accelerate the natural removal of carbon, furthering our community’s climate resilience.
Cross-Cutting Threads
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
11 12
2/29/2024
7 RiversideCA.gov
13 That the Mobility & Infrastructure Committee:
1.Receive a report on the history of Victoria Avenue, Riverside Cultural Heritage Landmark #8 and National Park Service’s Register of Historic Places, and the role of Victoria Avenue F o r e v e ra sap a r t n e ri nt h ep r o t e c t i o na n dp r e s e r v a t i o no f Victoria Avenue;
2.Provide feedback on the proposed 5-year plan to enhance and beautify Victoria Avenue; and
3.Recommend that City Council approve the proposed 5-year plan to enhance and beautify Victoria Avenue.
RECOMMENDATIONS
13