This garden is located at Myrtle and Victoria and was named for Lorraine Small.. Mrs. Small’s son in law, James Montgomery was the landscape architect for this garden. Lorraine Small operated a landscape nursery in Riverside for many years, she authored a very popular gardening column for the local newspaper titled “Small Talk”, served many years on Riverside’s Parks and Recreation Commission, co-founded the Riverside Rose Society in 1957 and was one of the original board members of Victoria Avenue Forever. This garden was first planted in 1993 with 277 roses by volunteers for Victoria Avenue Forever. With the help of volunteers and community donations a major re-planting/refresh was completed in 2013.
This garden is located at Jane and Victoria and was named for respected physician and philanthropist Dr. Peter M. Lewis. This garden was planted in 1993 in a semi-abandoned plot of land on the northwest corner of Victoria and Jane. The landscape plan of this “water wise” garden was developed by Richard Catron as one of the first mediterranean plantings in the area. The hardscape, irrigation and plants were funded by donations, plantings were done by VAF volunteers who to this day maintain the garden.
This garden is located at Harrison and Victoria and was funded by donations and planted in 2010. The landscape for this “elegant water wise” garden was developed by James Montgomery with plant suggestions from Hal Snyder. Hal Snyder was a champion of the Riverside Greenbelt and was instrumental in efforts to preserve historic Victoria Avenue. VAF is currently improving and replanting parts of this garden via volunteers and donations from the community.
