Sometimes an idea takes root long before anyone can see its first leaves.

For Vlada and her organization, Vlada’s Seeds of Life, the idea was simple: public parks should not only be beautiful—they can also be productive, educational, and nourishing.

In December 2022, Vlada met with City of Temecula officials to present an idea that had been growing in her mind for some time: why not replace some of the decorative trees in public parks with trees that produce food?

Lemon and other citrus trees seemed like a natural choice for Southern California. They are relatively easy to care for, well suited to the climate, and their fruit can remain on the trees for an extended period of time. Most importantly, they can turn an ordinary landscaped area into something that teaches, nourishes, and connects people with the source of their food.

Vlada’s Seeds of Life offered to donate citrus trees to the City to help make the idea easier to implement and, hopefully, speed up the process.

The City officials were interested. At the time, there was even hope that work could begin as early as the following year.

But good ideas sometimes need patience.

Four Years, Many Emails and One Persistent Idea

One year became two. Two became three.

Vlada stayed in touch with City officials through phone calls and emails, continuing to follow the progress and keeping the vision alive.

Nearly four years after that first meeting, Vlada was thrilled to learn that the newly renovated Margarita Recreation Center, located at 29119 Margarita Road, would officially open in June 2026.

The new facility is designed as an intergenerational recreation and community center serving people of all ages and abilities. According to the City, it includes a warm-water, wheelchair-accessible six-lane pool, dance and fitness studio, classroom, multipurpose room, kitchen, locker rooms, restrooms, and outdoor patio areas. The facility also hosts programs ranging from aquatic activities and fitness classes to youth and inclusive recreation programs.

But for Vlada, some of the most exciting features were outside the building.

The site includes landscaping featuring Southern California native plants—and, most importantly for this story, a small lemon orchard.

The vision she had presented years earlier had finally become reality.

A Lemon Orchard in the Middle of Temecula

At the June 24, 2026 grand opening, community leaders, residents, organizations, and community partners gathered to celebrate the new facility.

Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington was among those participating in the opening celebration.

Among the organizations recognized was Vlada’s Seeds of Life.

For Vlada, the recognition was meaningful not simply because her organization was acknowledged, but because it represented something much bigger: proof that persistence can turn a seemingly small idea into something tangible for an entire community.

And although Vlada’s Seeds of Life originally offered to donate the lemon trees themselves, the City ultimately did not need the trees. Instead, the organization was able to contribute something equally important—a large quantity of fruit and vegetable seeds, which were made available to the public, particularly children and families.

During the celebration, children and families had the opportunity to plant seeds themselves.

It was a small activity with a big message: food does not simply appear on a grocery-store shelf. It begins with a seed.

The Inspiration Came From New Zealand

The idea for transforming public landscapes into places where food could grow was inspired in part by Vlada’s travels.

In 2021, she traveled to Auckland, New Zealand, where she saw beautiful public parks incorporating all kinds of fruit trees—and even places where animals such as chickens, goats, and cows were part of the public landscape.

The experience stayed with her.

“This project is especially meaningful to me personally and to my organization,” said Vlada. “After traveling to Auckland, New Zealand in 2021 and seeing their beautiful city parks planted with all sorts of fruit trees and even chickens, goats, cows and more, I wanted to see similar change in our parks.

“We should be growing fresh fruit and vegetables everywhere we can. Parks are perfect public places for this. This way, our youth who live in urban places will have a chance to engage in this way of life, to learn where food comes from, enjoy it, all while providing a healthier environment for themselves and for wildlife.

“I am confident that this is just a small beginning to all the wonderful changes we are yet to make across our nation. Healthier tomorrow starts with each small seed, plant and tree we plant.”

A Beginning, Not an Ending

The journey from that first meeting in December 2022 to the lemon trees now growing at a Temecula recreation facility was not quick.

There were many phone calls. Many emails. Many follow-ups. And, most importantly, there was persistence.

Today, one of Temecula’s city recreation facilities has its own small lemon orchard—and a new community garden is coming.

That is something worth celebrating.

Vlada’s Seeds of Life is grateful to everyone within the City of Temecula who worked on this project and helped bring the vision forward.

If You Want Change, Plant the Seed

If you want to see something change in your community, take the initiative. Bring the idea forward. Talk to the people who can help make it happen. Offer whatever resources you can. Make the phone calls. Send the emails. Follow up.

And then don’t give up simply because it takes longer than you expected.

Sometimes community change takes months. Sometimes it takes years.

But eventually, an idea that once existed only on paper can become something children can touch, families can enjoy, and an entire community can benefit from.