The Almost Secret Garden By Steve Tabor

The Almost Secret Garden

By Steve Tabor

It has not been an easy task converting this site that once served as a landfill for Los Angeles County residents into an escape that feeds the minds and souls of its visitors.  According to Ms. Adrienne Nakashima, Chief Executive Officer of the South Coast Botanic Garden (Garden), when the Garden originally opened in 1960, it was basically survival.  The methane gases produced by the deteriorating contents below the soil made it extremely difficult for the plants to survive.  Various interventions were put into place to help with releasing the heat and burning the escaping methane gases.  Today, much to our benefit, the amount of methane gas is greatly reduced, and the Garden is flourishing better than ever.  

The Garden is comprised of 87 acres of rolling grounds that is maintained by a partnership of Los Angeles County Department Parks and Recreation (LACDPR) and the South Coast Botanic Garden Foundation (SCBGF).  LACDPR provides some support to maintain the facilities and grounds.  However, the Foundation contributions over $3 million to the Gardens $4 million budget.

Ms. Nakashima emphasizes that the mission of the Garden is to serve community by providing a unique horticultural and wildlife habitat experience, and to represent a model of excellence for land reclamation and sustainability.  To enhance this experience, the Garden has undergone modifications to allow universal accessibility for all its visitors.  

Native California plants share the space with various plants from around the world.  In addition to varieties of palm trees, the Garden contains banyan trees, a rose garden, a Discovery Garden for children, meadows and a lake.  

When the Los County Museum of Art (LACMA) was involved in a construction project, the Garden was fortunate to receive of six modern sculpture pieces that have been incorporated throughout the garden.  Ms. Nakashima indicated that the displays use nature as their backdrop and introduce this art form to some visitors who may not have the opportunity to visit LACMA or other art museums.  There is a possibility that the Garden will receive additional pieces from the Museum’s collection to display.  There is a brochure highlighting the pieces and their locations in the Garden.  Visitors wishing to focus their visit on locating the pieces will see many of the Garden’s highlights.  

A strategic vision plan for the Garden was developed in 2013.  The newly renovated Rose Garden was the first project named in the plan.  The garden features a variety of roses, two shade pavilions, benches and walkways that are easily accessible to all visitors.  

The plan calls for the implementation of two additional gardens.  The first is a three-acre Children’s Garden.  Its goal is to encourage discovery and curiosity. The second is a Native Plant Garden.  This project is designed to demonstrate the use of native plants as decorative landscape.  Unfortunately, with the impact COVID-19, these plans have had to be placed on hold.

When not under COVID-19 restrictions, the Garden hosts several classes and activities.  In addition, it is available for weddings and other private functions.  Ms. Nakashima hopes that those activities will return as soon as the restrictions are lifted.

I could not leave the Garden without asking Ms. Nakashima what is this garden’s secret?  She was quick to answer that it’s the nature inside the Garden and the feeling of wellness that its nature creates that is still the best-kept secret of the South Bay. 

Operating Hours

Amazingly, the Garden is open to the public on a day-to-day basis during this time of COVID-19 restrictions.  The Garden remains open while observing all safety and health precautions for guests and staff based on guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control, as well as medical experts who are assisting the LACDPR.  

Some of the health and safety precautions include the following.  Admission tickets must be purchased in advance via the internet and presented prior to entry.  To reduce the overall number of people visiting the Garden, visitations are restricted to two-hour increments beginning at 9:00 a.m.  The last entry interval is 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Inside the Garden, benches and some of the walkways have been roped off in order to maintain social distancing.  The Garden Tram is not currently in operation.

Location

The South Coast Botanic Garden is located 26300 Crenshaw Blvd. in Palos Verdes Peninsula.  For more information, visit their website at www.southcoastbotanicgarden.org.

Steve Tabor Bio

This South Bay native’s photographic journey began after receiving his first 35 mm film camera upon earning his Bachelor of Arts degree.  Steve began with photographing coastal landscapes and marine life.  As a classroom teacher he used photography to share the world and his experiences with his students.  Steve has expanded his photographic talents to include portraits and group photography, special event photography as well as live performance and athletics.  Steve serves as a volunteer ranger for the Catalina Island Conservancy and uses this opportunity to document the flora and fauna of the island’s interior as well as photograph special events and activities.

Watch for Steve Tabor Images on the worldwide web.