OVF Gate Closing

Locking the gates and securing the OVF sheds is one of the most important community service jobs at Ocean View Farms.

  1. OVF members will receive 8 hours of community service credit for successfully completing one week of gate closing duty.
  2. OVF members may sign up for a maximum of 2 one-week gate closing assignments.
         Sign up sheets for the following year are posted in the main shed
         during the Saturday Workday in December.
  3. All gates and sheds are locked at sunset. View all of this year's gate closing times here.
  4. Gate closers are to arrive at the garden before sunset and walk the property to give any members present a polite notice the gates will be locked shortly.
  5. Garden members must finish their tasks when notified the gates will be locked shortly.
  6. Gate closer must:
    • Close and lock both the tool shed and wheelbarrow shed located between Phase I and II. (Be sure to slide the latch all the way to the right and make sure that the door does not lift up.)
    • Ensure the gate at the bottom of the orchard along Centinela Avenue is locked.
    • Ensure the five gates at the top of the garden along the parking area are locked.
    • Ensure the double gate at the top of the garden near the stable waste bins is locked.
    • Ensure that both the shredder shed and chipper shed in the compost area are locked.
    • Close and lock the tool shed located at the bottom of Phase IV
    • Ensure the four gates in the Phase IV fence are locked.
    • Close and lock the main gate (driveway) on Centinela Avenue. Wrap the chain around the two gates and put the lock through the eyebolt to secure the lock.

If you cannot honor your commitment to close the gates, it is up to you to find a replacement and it must be a garden member. Once you have a replacement, it is your responsibility to contact the Gate Closing Monitor, with the replacement's first and last name, phone number and plot number. There is an emergency backup list of members willing to cover these situations posted in the main shed.

If it is your first time closing gates, you may want to come to the garden and ask the member on duty to show you how to perform the various tasks during his or her tour.

If a garden member gives you trouble on leaving try to get his or her name, plot number or a description of their vehicle and report this to the Gate Closing Monitor. Members will receive a citation from either the Gardenmaster or Chair for refusing to leave in a prompt manner when notified by the Gate Closer. Please avoid confrontations.

During Little League season (February - June), but particularly early in the season before the daylight savings time change, there may be volunteers working after sunset. Once the garden is secure, find a responsible Little League volunteer (usually someone in the snack bar) and ensure they will lock the driveway gate, also be sure to get the name of the person you spoke to. As a Gate Closer you may leave at this time. Please make sure that the lock on the driveway gate is unlocked before you leave.

The City of Los Angeles occasionally allows film crews to use the parking facilities on the property. In the event a film crew is staying after sunset, once the garden is secure, notify the security guard, or another person in charge and ensure they will lock the driveway gate when they leave. As a gate closer you may leave at this time. Please make sure that the lock on the driveway gate is unlocked before you leave.

Little League volunteers or film crews may be staying after sunset. THIS DOES NOT GIVE PERMISSION for OVF members to do the same!