Hart Park Grove Gleaning
Preserving Agricultural History at the Robert D. Hoyt Historic Grove
The City of Orange and the Orange Home Grown Foundation partner together to support the clean-up and maintenance of the Robert D. Hoyt Historic Grove, along with the harvesting of the fruit. Easily 10,000+ pounds of citrus are harvested each year by dedicated volunteers and donated to local organizations like Abound Food Care, who help distribute the fruit to those in need throughout Orange and surrounding cities.
The efforts of the Hart Park Grove Gleaning program reduce food waste while preserving the agricultural history of the City of Orange, both priorities of the Orange Home Grown Foundation Foundation.
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Address: 701 S. Glassell St. Orange, CA 92866
The History of the Grove
Creating a link to the agrarian past of the City of Orange was the idea behind the one-acre orange grove planted in 1975 at Hart Park in the City of Orange, located in the southwest corner of Hart Park on the east side of the grove at 701 S. Glassell Street.
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The grove was the project of the City of Orange Mayor Robert D. Hoyt, who grew up amid the orange blossoms and packing houses of the city and wanted a way to memorialize the passing era. Hoyt was the first directly elected Mayor in the City of Orange. He served from 1976-1980.
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When the 50 or so citrus trees are blossoming, the scent goes for miles. Because the grove is planted with several different species of oranges, tangerines and lemons, the fruit becomes ripe several times during the year.
Interested in Helping Maintain the Grove?
If you are interested in volunteering at the Hart Park Orange Grove with Orange Home Grown please contact us through our volunteer form for more information.