Residents met and mingled at festivities held throughout Toluca Lake as part of the fifth annual Neighbor2Neighbor Block Party organized by the Toluca Lake Homeowners Association (TLHOA) and Neighborhood Watch on May 17. The largest gathering was on North Sancola, where inhabitants of a number of nearby streets pooled their resources to feature a bounce house, free ice cream sponsored by Gelson’s, a taco station, music, puppy adoptions and an abundance of potluck dishes. The parties to the south — including Toluca Lake Avenue, Woodbridge Street and a joint Mexican-themed potluck for Whipple Street and Valley Spring Lane — had a more intimate feel, offering neighbors the chance to reconnect, converse and enjoy one another’s company over food and drinks.
Neighbor2Neighbor was created by TLHOA board member Terry Herkner as a way to encourage neighbors to get to know one another as the community emerged from the isolation of the pandemic. Gaining momentum with each passing year, it’s grown into a much-anticipated annual tradition. The event also demonstrates the growing partnership between the TLHOA and Neighborhood Watch, a bond that’s shown its value after the area experienced a worrying series of nearly 40 attempted and actual break-ins about a year and half ago. Led by the Neighborhood Watch and the TLHOA Safety Committee, residents mobilized to heighten awareness, communication and response by implementing community meetings, a network of text chains for every street and private security patrols — efforts that have helped to reduce crime in Toluca Lake by more than 80%, according to LAPD statistics.
Robyn Allyn, who chairs the Neighborhood Watch with TLHOA board member Cathryn Farnsworth, says relationships forged among neighbors through the annual block party and other events are key to building a stronger, safer community that feels like a small town even in the middle of the big city. “At a time when many residents were considering leaving the area, our community chose to come together, stay engaged and reclaim our neighborhood. Whether you call it Mayberry R.F.D. or simply Toluca Lake, this is our home — and we love it.”
