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ABOUT US

Committed to Serving the Community

Welcome.     

The Tarzana Community & Cultural Center is established to provide and maintain a facility, in a park-like setting, dedicated to the community for meetings, activities and programs that nurture community spirit, the arts, education and leadership, and preserve the history and unique cultural qualities of Tarzana.

     The Tarzana Community & Cultural Center is established to provide and maintain a facility, in a park-like setting, dedicated to the community for meetings, activities and programs that nurture community spirit, the arts, education and leadership, and preserve the history and unique cultural qualities of Tarzana.

     Surrounded by towering, long-needled pines, the picturesque Ventura Boulevard-Vanalden Avenue property that is now the Tarzana Community & Cultural Center almost never happened. Only the vision, dedication, financial contributions and continuing perseverance of a few local residents saved it from becoming one more built-up commercial establishment.

     As many know, Tarzana is the birthplace of Tarzan – Lord of the Apes. Celebrated American novelist Edgar Rice Burroughs created the world-famous jungle hero right here on his own spacious Tarzana Ranch, in the San Fernando Valley where he spent most of his life riding, writing, and living life to the fullest.

     The author would have seen and recognized the modest 1940s Spanish-style home located just a few blocks west of his own large, hilltop hacienda.

     From the early ’50s through the next four decades, the southeast corner at Ventura and Vanalden became Diane and Rudy’s Garden Statuary, a rustic, wooded outlet well known to Valley residents. In the early ’90s, the property was again sold to a commercial developer who, in turn, sold it a few years later to a major storage company.

     For a time, it seemed as if one more commercial venture was to occupy this special piece of land which was valued in the millions. Helen Itria Norman, then president of the Tarzana Property Owners Association, openly dreamed of somehow obtaining the corner as “a community meeting place — where people can come together to discuss their respective needs, and find solutions.” Her dream seemed unlikely.

     Then, in 2000, a remarkably generous gift from local resident Helen Baker-who passionately shared Mrs. Norman’s dream—created a foundation to raise sufficient money to purchase the property. A few large donations and many smaller ones followed–along with a sizable bank loan.

     It is a fact that community venues, cultural centers, public gardens and parks contribute significantly to the quality of urban living. Besides adding beauty, they instill a sense of well-being. Since its opening in 2002, the Center has played host to art and antique shows, music galas, garden events, weddings, birthday parties, and a highly popular annual Mother’s Day High Tea and Fashion Show.

     It has also become the meeting place for the Property Owners Association, Neighborhood Council, Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber of Commerce, civic gatherings, health seminars, CPR training, yoga and stretch classes, and many other educational events for both children and adults.

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