Saving the Citrus Heritage of Riverside's Greenbelt

City officials in Riverside are preparing to market a new water rate incentive to residents and commercial nurseries throughout what's known as 'The Greenbelt' to help preserve and promote the city's proud history in the citrus industry. By offering reduced water rates to those businesses and residences who plant orange trees along their perimeter, the move will not only save the average area nursery in the range of $300 per month on water, but will revive what has been a steady decline in a major industry in Riverside.

In 2003, the city had already begun requiring any new development along Victoria Avenue to plant three rows of citrus trees along the street.

A casual drive along Riverside's historic Victoria Avenue, long considered one of the city's treasures, brings back memories of a time forgotten by some, and unknown altogether for the average newcomer. Lined and divided with an interesting mixture of Eucalyptus, palms, Cedars, citrus, and much more, it's easy to forget that you're within one mile from the nearby freeway for most of the drive.

Worth a visit, Victoria Avenue can be easily accessed near its western entrance just a few blocks south of the 91 freeway at the La Sierra Avenue exit, and is a wonderful short cut for residents of Lake Hills and Victoria Grove to travel to eastern portions of Riverside.