Mar Vista Gardens facts for kids

Springtime overnight rains runoff into La Ballona Creek in this picture taken from a kite. Mar Vista Gardens can be seen on the right as a cleanup crew works under the Inglewood Blvd. overpass.

Sunrise in Mar Vista Gardens.

Mar Vista Gardens is a community with homes located at 11965 Allin Street in Del Rey. This area is part of southwestern Los Angeles County, California, close to Culver City. It is right next to Ballona Creek. The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) manages this community.

About Mar Vista Gardens

Mar Vista Gardens was designed by architect Albert Criz. It was finished in 1954. The community was built as part of a government plan to create new, affordable homes for families. This plan was inspired by the Federal Housing Act of 1949.

It is the farthest west of the large housing communities managed by HACLA. Mar Vista Gardens has 62 buildings and 601 apartments. Some of these homes have views of Ballona Creek. Besides the homes, the community also has sports fields, handball courts, and a gymnasium. There is also a community center with a part-time health clinic. As of 2020, more than 1800 people call Mar Vista Gardens home.

History and Community Life

Even though Mar Vista Gardens is not officially in Culver City, it has often used a Culver City mailing address. When it was first built, many Caucasian families looking for affordable homes lived there. By the 1960s, more families from Latino backgrounds moved into the community.

In the 1970s, Mar Vista Gardens faced some challenges with safety. Over time, the community worked to improve these issues. For example, a program was created to offer job training and apprenticeships to young people. This helped many residents gain new skills and find jobs.

Connecting to the Internet

In 2013, Mar Vista Gardens was part of a special project. This project allowed residents to get free access to the Internet. The goal was to help bridge the "digital divide." This means making sure everyone has a chance to use the internet, which is important for school, work, and staying connected.

A Historic Place

Mar Vista Gardens is an important part of history. In 2018, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as a place with special historical value.

Famous People Who Lived Here

Some well-known people have lived in Mar Vista Gardens:

• Art Alexakis (born 1962), who is the lead singer of the band Everclear.
• Yolanda del Río (born 1976), a famous rancheras singer.
• Todd Bridges (born 1965), an actor.