Water: Fremont Elementary School Greening Project
About the Program
APIFM’s Water is Life project aims to educate our community in the West San Gabriel Valley on water conservation and water projects in our neighborhoods.
The Water is Life project also aims to increase awareness of local water issues among city officials, elevate community voices and concerns related to drinking water safety, and mobilize community action to change water use habits.
Why Fremont Elementary School?
Water is Life engaged over 300 West SGV residents to identify priority locations for a multi-benefit stormwater capture project. With visual surveys and mapping activities, Fremont Elementary School (FES) was prioritized by residents due to its positioning within the San Gabriel River watershed, proximity to transportation corridors (Interstate 10 Highway and Fremont Avenue), and vulnerability to air pollution and extreme heat.
Project Goals
FES was chosen as an ideal site to explore green infrastructure that could provide multiple benefits for students and the surrounding community. Project goals include:
- Capture and reuse stormwater to reduce runoff and improve water quality.
- Add shade trees, native plants, and green spaces to reduce urban heat and improve air quality.
- Create outdoor learning areas and play spaces that support student wellness and education.
- Incorporate meaningful community input into the design process.
Community Engagement
Over the past several months, more than 600 FES students, families, and staff have shared their ideas, hopes, and feedback for how to make the campus greener and healthier. We are incredibly grateful for everyone’s participation in shaping the vision for this project.
Conceptual Design
The design you see today reflects the collective input we have received so far. It represents an early conceptual vision that captures many of the community’s biggest hopes for the campus. However, it’s important to understand that this is not the final design. As the process continues, the design will be refined and adjusted based on a variety of factors, including safety codes, district regulations, maintenance needs, and available funding.
While we have secured funding for the current design and engagement phase, additional funding will be needed to bring certain features to life. Not every feature shown here may ultimately be possible, as implementation depends on both technical feasibility and future funding availability. Participant input has been essential in helping identify priorities and guide the project’s next steps. We look forward to sharing additional updates as the designs are refined and as new funding opportunities are pursued. We thank you for your continued support.
What’s Next?
The FES Greening Project is currently still in the design development phase. As designs are finalized, they will undergo further technical review and refinement to ensure long-term sustainability, feasibility, and safety. Additional opportunities for community input will be provided as the project advances. If you have questions or would like to stay updated about this project, please email info@apifm.org.
The FES Greening Project is made possible through funding and support from the Council for Watershed Health’s ReDesign LA Program, Water Foundation’s Safe Clean Water Program, Greenlining Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Resources Legacy Fund, Weingart Foundation, the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, and San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District.
