GRANT PARK, HIGH ABOVE Downtown Ventura, has to be one of the most underutilized and picturesque parks in the city. Many people visit the Father Serra Cross area for its scenic views and religious significance, yet there remain vast areas of the park which are undeveloped. The city's plans for Grant Park have languished for years and now in these fiscally conservative times have been put off indefinitely.
But if the volunteers of the Ventura Botanical Garden, Inc. get their wish, Grant Park could be a showplace. The group, which has 200 charter members, has spent the last few years getting their 501 (c) 3 non-profit status together and shopping for a site. They settled on 10 acres of Grant Park just recently, said the group's spokesperson Midge Stork.
"It's going to be a showplace for Ventura if we really get it right," she said.
The project is just in its conceptual infancy, Stork said, but the plan is to lease the land from the city and build it in phases. The garden could eventually include redwoods, native and exotic species, a tram, gift shop, amphitheater and a site for weddings.
"These things aren't going to happen overnight but they are on our dream list," Stork said.
The new botanical garden will tie into the beautification effort already planned by the non-profit Serra Cross Conservancy, which maintains the acre of land surrounding the Cross. An ambitious project is already planned for that spot with a scenic walking and strolling area and a tree-shaded seating area with a fountain.
BOTH PROJECTS WILL NEED eager private benefactors. And both will feature numerous naming opportunities with plaques and other memorials. The next step will be to come up with conceptual drawings and present the plans to the various city commissions and eventually the City Council. Nearby neighbors will also be consulted, Stork said. "It's better to be proactive."
In the mean time, the group has a smaller project in mind: the seeding of an area above City Hall late this month to encourage a carpet of wildflowers in the spring. Donors to that project are being sought.
These public-private partnerships with volunteer elbow grease may be the best way to tackle underfunded civic projects in a down economy. Luckily Ventura has no shortage of enthusiastic volunteers.
Note: If anybody would like to donate to or volunteer for the Botanical Garden effort, send an email to my address at top and I will forward your contact information to the group.
"the seeding of the 10-acre area above City Hall with wildflowers"
What a great idea. I just hope that this group uses NATIVE flowers and that this group has checked with all of the groups that want to 'preserve' our view-sheds. Heaven forbid if some group decides that changing the view is wrong and sues this group because of some flowers that were planted
It's good to see a tram in future phases. This park needs a better connection to downtown.
I think such a park would be an excellent idea. It certainly could add to the appeal for a visitor to Ventura.
I did think I'd read somewhere once that in the process of the lands donation, there was prohibition on "developing" it. Is that right, or something/somewhere else I'm thinking of?
Development as a public park or garden is in keeping with the mission of the site.
Well then Marie, I think such use would be very appropriate.
Accessibilty is a concern, you don't want to clog up the park with parking (there really isn't any) and that throws things to a shuttle.
Do keep us posted!
Thank you Marie for spreading the information about the Botanical Garden. The enthusiasm for the Grant Park location is growing as more people hear about it and your blog certainly helped let people know about it. The vision for the gardens includes an ecological emphasis as well as specialized gardens. This is a community asset and will be built with volunteers and partnerships. We welcome your participation. It is the perfect jewel to top the crown of downtown.
At yesterdays meeting of the Ventura Botanical Gardens Board of Directors we voted on and approved the expenditure of the funds necessary to initiate and complete the first phase of the wildflower planting. We plan on hydroseeding a blend of annual and perennial native wildflowers on the barren hillside just above the reservoir. This should be visible from a wide area of the city and bring a smile to many faces. Our goal is to start by December 1st or as soon thereafter as possible, prior to the hoped for winter rains. Wish us luck and join us! Charter memberships are still available for a $100 tax deductible donation.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend the presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission on December 17, 2008 at the Ventura City Hall Council Chambers. Show your support and learn more about this wonderful project.
Thanks Marie as I was not aware of this & I agree with JohnDoe as they need to do their research re: the flora. I get a kick out of cities & counties that do not do their homework & plant, what seems like whatever they want, then in a few years, the roots are forcing up the sidewalks, sap or berries are staining the walkways, too much shade or sun has killed the plants, etc.
How would the tram be paid for ? Taxes ? I ask as it will be interesting to see if the GP will not do what it did with the 1/4 of 1 penny tax for police & fire.
Any updates on this ?
There are some really good people behind this effort and they need to create a plan which will receive first Parks & Rec approval and then Council approval. It's a long ways off. They need to do a lot of fundraising.
It's a private effort.
In the mean time, they seeded a small area up there with native wildflowers and it will be beautiful.