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History
of the FGHA
Boundaries
In
April 1947, The Fig Garden's Men's Club achieved nonprofit
corporate status "to promote the general
welfare of that certain area of the County of Fresno
, State of California , lying north of and adjacent to the
City of Fresno." The original definition
of that "certain area" in the Articles of
Incorporation followed the boundaries
of the Forkner-Giffen Fig Garden Estates #1. Those boundaries,
in the archaic language and old street spelling
of the Articles, are described below:
| ...starting
at the intersection of Palm and Shaw Avenues; thence east
along Shaw Avenue to Maroa Avenue; thence south along
Maroa Avenue to Griffith Avenue; thence west along Griffith
Avenue to Van Ness Boulevard; thence south along Van Ness
Boulevard to the north bank of the Irrigation canal; thence
west along the north bank of the canal to the Atcheson,
Topeka and Santa Fe right of way; thence northwesterly
along the right of way to Palm Avenue; thence along Palm
Avenue to the point of commencement. |
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It
was 1979 when the Articles of Incorporation
were amended to change the name of the organization
to the Fig Garden Home Owners Association and the
current boundaries were established.
Beginning at the Southeast corner of Shaw Avenue
and Fruit Avenue; thence South; along the Easterly side
of Fruit Avenue to the Santa Fe Railroad; thence along the
Northeasterly line of the Santa Fe Railroad to the North
line of Garland Avenue; thence Easterly along the North
line of Garland Avenue to Van Ness Boulevard; thence along
the Westerly line of Van Ness Boulevard to the Southerly
line of Herndon Canal; thence Easterly along said south
line of Herndon Canal to Wishon Avenue; thence along the
West line of Wishon Avenue to Griffith Avenue; thence along
the Northerly line of Griffith Avenue to the Westerly line
of the Fresno City limits; thence Northerly along the Fresno
City limits meandering Northerly and Easterly to the East
line of Maroa Avenue; thence Northerly along said Easterly
line to a point midway between Ashlan and Swift Avenues;
thence Easterly along the Fresno City limits line to the
Westerly line of Fresno City limits West of Blackstone Avenue;
thence Northerly along said Fresno City limits line to the
Southerly line of Shaw Avenue; thence Westerly along said
Southerly line of Shaw Avenue to the Easterly line of Fruit
Avenue, the point of the beginning. Less and except that
portion South of the Southerly line of Shaw Avenue within
the commercial zone.
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Mission
The
mission of the Association proposed by our founding fathers
in the 1947 included:
"...encouraging, protecting and cooperating
in the installation, improvement and maintenance of public
facilities and utilities, facilities for sanitation and
safety, and facilities for education and recreation in said
area by encouraging and promoting the improvement of public
and private landscaping, the improvement of county roads,
streets and highways in said area, and the adoption of zoning
ordinances to improve the quality and character of private
property and buildings; by assisting and cooperating in
the protection of the persons and property of the residents
of said area, the regulation of traffic therein, and by
promoting and encouraging the establishment of and maintenance
of adequate police measures therefore; and by other means
as will tend to promote the general welfare of the community."
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Districts
The
Association has been active in the pursuit of these same goals
for more than five decades. The Fig
Garden Police Protection District was established within
the boundaries of the original neighborhood in 1950 to allow
the area to tax itself for its own protection.
In 1994 the neighborhood voted overwhelmingly to increase
that tax to provide nearly round the clock designated
sheriff service within the District. That District
still includes only the original boundaries
of the Forkner-Giffen subdivision. Recent efforts to expand
it to correspond to the wider Association
boundaries have stalled. The Fire
District and its station on Wishon predate the Association.
It was organized to serve the Fig Garden Estates subdivision
in the early 40's in response to efforts by the residents.
Unlike
the situation in 1947, Old Fig Garden is no longer at the
northern edge of the City of Fresno. We are an unincorporated
area of the County surrounded by a growing city. As a result
of that new status, the challenges to the neighborhood as
it ages have changed. Over the years there have been attempts
to annex our area into the City of Fresno. On balance, annexation
has been regarded by our residents as providing few benefits
to the neighborhood; and our members have generally opposed
those attempts.
There
have also been repeated efforts to alter the zoning designations
of property, particularly at the boundaries
of the neighborhood and along the more heavily traveled
streets. The Association has worked successfully with the
County and City to resist commercial incursions
and maintain the residential zoning of our area. Increasing
traffic through the area has put pressure on our roads. We
have faced efforts to widen both Maroa and Ashlan. While recognizing
the need to keep traffic moving safely through the area, we
have been persuasive in the defense of our attractive, tree-lined
two lane roads and the unity of the neighborhood.
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Neighborhood
This
neighborhood maintains its reputation as a very desirable
area to buy a home and raise a family. Agreements with Tree
Fresno have helped us replace street trees and plant areas
that did not have them. In 2000, our membership supported,
and County Board of Supervisors enacted, a set of Beautification
Ordinances to
help us preserve our trees and enforce some minimum
urban standards of property maintenance. Cooperation
with the Sheriff
and the Fire District
has enhanced the safety of our residents and property. The
annual Christmas Tree Lane event, which
is coordinated by its own Christmas Tree Lane Committee
under
the auspices of the Association and is entirely funded by
voluntary donations, has brought thousands of visitors
into
the neighborhood to enjoy its unique attractions. Old Fig
Garden continues to be a vibrant, healthy, appealing
neighborhood because of the spirit of community
and mutual assistance that prompted the formation of
the Homeowner's
Association more than half a century ago.
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Membership
Membership
in the Association is voluntary. Dues are paid once a year.
The organization sends out a newsletter
twice a year and holds an annual dinner at the end of each
summer. In March of each year there is an annual membership
meeting at which time Board members
are elected. The Board holds monthly
meetings.
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