Valley Glen, Los Angeles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valley Glen
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Valley Glen neighborhood sign
located at the intersection of Burbank Boulevard and Fulton Avenue |
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 Valley Glen
Location in San Fernando Valley
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| Country |  United States of America |
| State |  California |
| County |  Los Angeles |
| Time zone | Pacific
Greater Valley Glen Council Contact 13654 Victory Blvd, #136 Valley Glen CA 91401 |
| Zip Code |
91606
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| Area code(s) | 747, 818 |
Valley Glen is a cool neighborhood located in the southeastern part of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California. It used to be part of other areas like Van Nuys and North Hollywood. But in 1998, it officially became its own separate neighborhood! Valley Glen is special because it's home to Los Angeles Valley College and the amazing Great Wall of Los Angeles. This "Great Wall" is a super long mural that shows California's history and is even listed as a historic place.
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History of Valley Glen
Before 1998, the area we now call Valley Glen was part of two other neighborhoods: Van Nuys and North Hollywood.
Becoming a New Neighborhood
In 1997, many people living in a part of Van Nuys wanted their area to have its own name. More than 70% of the homeowners signed a petition to change the name to Valley Glen. This proposed new neighborhood would include about 1,200 homes.
In February 1998, even more nearby areas decided to join the idea of Valley Glen. A city leader named Mike Feuer supported the name change. Finally, in June 1998, Valley Glen officially became a neighborhood of Los Angeles! This new area included over 3,000 homes.
New Signs and Recognition
After Valley Glen became official, the Department of Transportation put up 12 neighborhood signs in 1998. Later, in 2004, a sign was added on the Hollywood Freeway to show where Valley Glen is.
In 2008, the U.S. Postal Service officially recognized Valley Glen. This meant that some zip codes (91401, 91405, and 91606) were now also known as Valley Glen. In 2013, the city approved a special monument sign for the neighborhood. You can find it where Burbank Boulevard and Coldwater Canyon Avenue meet.
Geography of Valley Glen
Valley Glen covers about 4.81 square miles. If you look at a map, it has clear boundaries:
- To the north, it's bordered by Raymer Street, Sherman Way, or Vanowen Street.
- To the west, you'll find the Tujunga Wash, Woodman Avenue, or Hazeltine Avenue.
- To the south, it's Burbank Boulevard.
- To the east, it's the Hollywood Freeway.
A big part of Valley Glen is divided by the Tujunga Wash, which is a waterway that runs from north to south.
People of Valley Glen
In 2000, about 59,230 people lived in Valley Glen. By 2008, that number grew to about 62,846 people.
Valley Glen is a very diverse place, meaning people from many different backgrounds live there!
- About 45.2% of residents are Latino.
- About 39.5% are white.
- About 5.4% are Asian.
- About 3.9% are Black.
- The rest are from other backgrounds.
A lot of people in Valley Glen (almost half!) were born in other countries. The most common countries they come from are Mexico and Armenia. Many things about Valley Glen's population, like how many people live in a certain area, how much money people earn, or how many people go to college, are pretty similar to the average for Los Angeles.
Arts and Culture in Valley Glen
One of the most famous cultural spots in Valley Glen is The Great Wall of Los Angeles. This incredible mural is half a mile long! It's painted along the concrete sides of the Tujunga Wash. The mural tells the story of California, but it shows history from the viewpoint of women and minority groups. It's known as one of the longest murals in the world! In 2017, it was even suggested to be added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Emergency Services
Valley Glen has important services to keep everyone safe.
Fire Service
The Los Angeles Fire Department has a station nearby, called Station 102 (South Van Nuys/Valley Glen). Firefighters from this station help the community in emergencies.
Police Service
The Los Angeles Police Department also has a station close by, the Van Nuys Community Police Station. Police officers from this station work to keep Valley Glen safe.
Parks and Recreation
Valley Glen has some great places to play and relax!
- Laurel Grove Park: This park has been improved with many new features:
- Walking and wheelchair trails, plus outdoor fitness stations to help you stay active.
- New playground equipment with soft, safe ground and shade to keep you cool.
- A new picnic area with tables, a water fountain, a pet fountain, and shade.
- A new butterfly garden, which is a beautiful spot for nature lovers.
- New plants and lighting to make the park look even better.
- Valley Glen Community Park (formerly Erwin Park): This park has a baseball field and picnic tables, perfect for a day out.
- Tujunga Wash Greenway: This is a green area along the Tujunga Wash, great for walks and enjoying nature.
Education in Valley Glen
Valley Glen is home to Los Angeles Valley College, which is a college where students can continue their education after high school.
There are also several schools for younger students within the Valley Glen area:
Public Schools
- Ulysses S. Grant High School, located at 13000 Oxnard Street.
- James Madison Middle School, located at 13000 Hart Street.
- Coldwater Canyon Elementary School, located at 6850 Coldwater Canyon Avenue.
- Kittridge Street Elementary School, located at 13619 Kittridge Street.
- Erwin Elementary School, located at 13400 Erwin Street.
- John B. Monlux Elementary School, located at 6051 Bellaire Avenue.
- Jack London Continuation School, located at 1294 Oxnard Street.
