The Land: Dump That Trash, Fill That Hole

In these days of prosperity and progress, U.S. cities are collecting more garbage than they can dispose of. At the same time, the booming construction business is digging gravel and clay quarries that no one knows how to hide.

Los Angeles Landscape Architect Henry Soto, who had to drive by a 40-ft.-deep clay pit every day on his way to work, was suddenly struck by an idea. Rounding up a few partners, he bought the pit and converted it into a private dump, charging $8 per load. To appease neighbors’ noses, he covered each day’s refuse with a layer of earth. To screen the mess from passersby, he built a bamboo fence, planted the border with floodlit flower beds and palm trees. When finished, the area looked so little like a dump that he had to put up a huge sign saying “Disposal Gardens” to convince befuddled truckers that they were at the right place.

When the hole is filled, Soto plans to build a swimming pool and tennis courts on the leveled ground, then charge a handsome admission fee to his newly created recreation area.