Parks Make Life Better! Campaign LAUNCHED IN MAY...
Transcript of Parks Make Life Better! Campaign LAUNCHED IN MAY...
of each garden, learn about environmental stewardship, water conservation, historic museums, works of art,
libraries, special events, programs and much more!
Special thanks to Lynn Adrianna Freedman and her beautiful daughter, Ocean, for appearing in our
promotional materials.
LYNN ADRIANNA AND OCEAN FREEDMAN Grow captures the splendor of our four gardens with an
image that displays the wonderment of a child as her
mother looks on with loving endearment, clearly
emphasizing what families enjoy and what “Parks Make
Life Better!” is all about. At our four magnificent gardens,
visitors can gain insight and knowledge about the origins
Here is more information on the Department’s
four beautiful arboreta and botanic gardens.
Please help us promote our gardens during May
and share this information:
Parks Make Life Better! Campaign
LAUNCHED IN MAY 2016
May is grow showcasing our 4 gardens
County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation
horticultural shows and plant sales, concerts, and other
special events; and operates the guest services center, gift
shop, and private event rentals. The Department operates
facility maintenance, horticulture, gardening, grounds
maintenance, and volunteer programs.
Descanso Gardens is managed by the Descanso Gardens
Guild Inc., which operates in a public-private partnership with
the Department of Parks and Recreation. Since the 1990s,
the Guild has been responsible for the complete management
and financial health of the Gardens, including day-to-day
operations, maintenance, development, and capital projects.
Virginia Robinson Gardens is operated by the Department
of Parks and Recreation in collaboration with the Friends of
Robinson Gardens. The Friends group supports the County
garden and house museum by raising money for public
programs for adults and children, and for restoration of
artifacts and gardens.
The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic
Garden is governed though a private-public
partnership between the Los Angeles Arboretum
Foundation and the Department of Parks and
Recreation. The Foundation plays a key role in
offering classes and workshops, construction of
new gardens and educational facilities, and creation
of a dedicated growing membership that provides
essential annual support for the Arboretum.
The South Coast Botanic Garden Foundation is a
non-profit organization whose staff works closely
with the Department to operate the Garden. The
Foundation sponsors education programs,
DESCANSO GARDENS 1418 Descanso Drive
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011
www.descansogardens.org
Descanso Gardens is a unique Southern
California landscape distinguished by its
specialized botanic collections, historical
significance and rare natural beauty. Its identity
exists in the eye of the beholder: For many, this
is a beloved landscape, rugged and refined, a
place to share with family and friends. Some seek out the rare plant collections – an internationally lauded
camellia collection, a native plant garden designed and planted by a legendary horticulturist, a rose garden
with singular specimens from around the world. For still others, it is a community resource offering a rich
variety of experiences, including art exhibits in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, weekend family festivals, and lifestyle
and gardening classes. But at its root, Descanso Gardens is a cultural institution with a mission to educate
and inspire by providing visitors experiences close to nature. Descanso Gardens is a member-supported
garden accredited by the American Alliance of Museums as a museum of living collections.
the world. Enjoy historical landmarks that feature Native American, Rancho Period and late 19th century
treasures, like the famous Queen Anne Cottage seen in numerous television shows and movies, the Santa
Anita Train Depot and other exhibits throughout. Also explore peaceful and unique paths or sit and relax by
the Mayberg waterfall, fountains, ponds or themed gardens either on foot or by tram. The Los Angeles
County Arboretum & Botanic Garden offers other activities, including concerts, nature and gardening classes,
and a horticultural library that continues to attract visitors year after year; making the Arboretum one of the
nation’s top tourist destinations!
LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARBORETUM AND BOTANIC GARDEN 301 North Baldwin Avenue
Arcadia, CA 91006
www.arboretum.org
Discover the internationally famous Los Angeles
County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, a 127 acre
natural and historic wonder with plant collections
including rare and endangered species from all over
As one of the world’s first botanical gardens to be developed over a sanitary landfill, South Coast Botanic
Garden is a masterpiece of creative land reclamation and environmental improvement. The Garden is a
beautiful and restorative urban oasis among the hustle and bustle of the major mega-metropolitan area of
nearby Los Angeles, California. Located in one of the most favored growing areas in the world, the Garden
site covers an area equivalent of 87 acres. Plantings within the Garden encompass 140 plant families, about
700 genera and over 2,500 diverse species of plants from around the world. About 100 trees, shrubs, and
plants are rare specimens infrequently seen elsewhere and include plants from as far away as Australia, the
Mediterranean and southern Africa.
Robinson department store, is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Operated by the County
of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, the estate is open by appointment to the public for
docent guided tours. Walking tours of the beautiful six-acre property includes breathtaking display gardens
and Italian Revival architecture. A favorite destination for both local and international visitors, the property
attracts a varied audience, from those interested in the history of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills to people who
appreciate beautiful gardens and classical architecture. In addition, it is a dynamic location for photo shoots
with dramatic settings, such as the awe-inspiring Australian King Palm Forest, the bucolic Rose Garden and
the tranquil Italian Terrace Garden.
VIRGINIA ROBINSON GARDENS 1008 Elden Way
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
www.robinsongardens.org
The Virginia Robinson Gardens and house
museum is a cultural jewel that transports the
visitor back to the birthplace of Beverly Hills. Built
in 1911, it was once the legendary gathering
place for the rich and famous. The residence of
Virginia and Harry Robinson, heirs to the
SOUTH COAST BOTANIC GARDEN
26300 Crenshaw Boulevard
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
www.southcoastbotanicgarden.org
South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes
Peninsula was created in 1960 on top of an open
pit diatomaceous earth mine and subsequent san-
itary landfill. The Garden is jointly administered by
the Department of Parks and Recreation and the
South Coast Botanic Garden Foundation.
Parks Make Life Better! and this campaign will help us
show our many facilities and programs that each of you
work so hard to make available for all to enjoy every day!
EVENTS
Our gardens offer many interesting and exciting events
and activities throughout the year for visitors of all ages.
Here is a sample of some events at our gardens:
EVENT VENUES The Arboretum, Descanso, and South Coast
Botanic Garden have beautiful venues for
weddings and other events. Venues fill up quickly,
as you can imagine, so contact your favorite
garden as early as possible.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARBORETUM AND BOTANIC GARDEN
Epiphyllum Show and Sale: May 14-15, 2016
Santa Anita Bonsai Show: May 28-30, 2016
SOUTH COAST BOTANIC GARDEN
Nature Connects Exhibit: SCBG just completed a very successful exhibit, Nature Connects, featuring large sculptures made from building blocks.
Here is a photo of the 8-foot hummingbird:
DESCANSO GARDENS
Rose Festival: May 14-15, 2016
Summer Music & Extended Hours: Tuesdays-Thursdays, June 7-July 28, 2016
VIRGINIA ROBINSON GARDENS
Meditative Walks and Hatha Yoga: Mondays, 9:30 AM-11:00 AM
Daily Guided Tours of Gardens and House Museum: Monday-Saturday with advanced reservation
R ICHARD SCHULHOF
Executive Officer of the Arboretum and Botanic Garden
The Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation leads a broad
community of members, volunteers and donors. The Los
Voluntarios is made up of 300 men and women, active and
sustaining members, who contribute over 30,000 hours of
service to the Arboretum annually. The Arboretum serves
over 350,000 visitors a year and enjoys the support of over
10,000 member households.
TANYA FINNEY
Superintendent of South Coast Botanic Garden
ADRIENNE L. NAKASHIMA
Chief Executive Officer of South Coast Botanic Garden Foundation
A dedicated team of 12 Department employees and 17 Foundation staff along with
over 190 volunteers proudly maintain and operate South Coast Botanic Garden for
all to enjoy!
DAVID BROWN
Executive Director of Descanso Gardens
Descanso Gardens is managed by a dedicated team of 50 employees and more
than 170 volunteers who contribute thousands of hours of service per year. The
volunteer Guild Board of Trustees is comprised of 22 men and women who
represent the public interest and are active in fund raising and friend raising.
TIM LINDSAY
Superintendent of Virginia Robinson Gardens
JOAN SELWYN
Founder, Friends of Robinson Gardens
The non-profit group, Friends of Robinson Gardens, with a dedicated team of 150
volunteers regularly donate over 9,000 hours per year to support the County
garden and house museum. Tim and his team of 8 employees collaborate with the
Friends of Robinson Gardens to maintain the beautiful gardens and house
museum, and offer programs and special events to the public.
MEET OUR GARDEN TEAM
FUN FACTS
VRG—The most common compliment is when visitors
say, “It appears the Robinson’s are due home at any
minute.” It’s preserved so perfectly.
VRG—1,200 children visit the gardens and are often
greeted by mascot, Harry the cat.
Arboretum—The Queen Anne Cottage is listed in the
National Register of Historic Places, and was used for
the filming of Fantasy Island.
Arboretum—The pink trumpet tree was introduced by
the Arboretum.
SCBG—A rare California sighting of a Mississippi Kite
has brought birders flocking to the garden on two oc-
casions in the last 10 years.
SCBG—Banyan Grove is home to over 20 Moreton
Bay Figs, creating a magical space where tree roots
hang from huge overhead branches and temperatures
are regularly 10 degrees cooler than other parts of the
garden.
Descanso—The garden’s camellia collection and rose
collection both have roots in enterprises established by
Descanso Gardens founder E. Manchester Boddy.
With over 26,000 accessioned camellias in the shade
of 1,200 coast live oak trees, this is one of the largest
collections in the world.
Descanso—The native plant collection was curated by
noted plant expert Theodore Payne and includes spec-
imens from his own collection.
LEARN GARDEN LINGO Want to learn some garden lingo?
a succulent is a plant with thick, heavy leaves or stems that
store water
a perennial is a plant that lives for over 2 years
an annual is a plant that lives for 1 year
to leach means to drain materials away from soil by filtering
liquid, especially rainwater
compost is a mixture of decayed organic matter (such
as leaves and grass) that is used to improve the soil
full sun means a plant needs direct, unfiltered sunlight
for at least 6 hours a day
partial sun/partial shade means a plant should get 3-6
hours of sun each day, however partial sun places a
greater emphasis on receiving minimal sun requirements
and partial shade means a plant needs some relief from
intense afternoon sun
pinching means to remove part of the plant by
squeezing between the thumb and finger, usually to induce
branching
cutting back means to remove old flowers or leaves or
to trim tall and gangly stems to encourage plants to
become stockier
deadheading means to remove old, dying flowers to
encourage repeat blooming
a rootbound plant is a potted plant that has roots so
densely matted allowing little or no space for further growth
variegated describes the presence of 2 or more colors
in the leaves, petals, or other parts of plants
Please encourage your park visitors to follow the Department on Twitter at @lacountyparks and on Facebook at
facebook.com/parks.lacounty.gov.
http://instagram.com/lacountyparks http://twitter.com/lacountyparks http://facebook.com/parks.lacounty.gov