Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens |
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| Type | Botanical garden |
| Location | Fort Bragg, California, United States |
| Area | 47 acres (0 km2) |
| Created | 1961 |
| Visitors | 86,000 |
| Status | Open all year |
| Designation | California Coastal National Monument |
The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is a beautiful place to visit in Fort Bragg, California. It covers 47 acres (about 19 football fields!) and sits right between Highway One and the Pacific Ocean. This special garden has different natural areas like canyons, wet lands, and coastal cliffs. It even has a unique type of pine forest.
Contents
What Plants Can You See?
The Gardens are home to many types of plants that love the mild coastal weather and special soil. You can find:
- Native plants from the forests and bluffs
- Heaths and Heathers (small, colorful shrubs)
- Rhododendrons (flowering shrubs)
- Camellias (beautiful flowers)
- Fuchsias (dangling, bell-shaped flowers)
- Dahlias (bright, varied flowers)
- Magnolias (large, fragrant flowers)
- Maples (trees known for their leaves)
- Succulents (plants that store water)
- Begonias (colorful plants)
- Conifers (trees with cones, like pines)
The garden's collection of Heaths and Heathers is very important. It is part of a national plant group. The garden is also known for its conifer collection by the American Conifer Society.
The Historic Kitchen Garden
On the south side of the garden, there's a historic area. It includes the old Parrish Family home from the 1800s, an orchard, and a cemetery. In 2013, a special "kitchen garden" here grew over 4,000 pounds of fresh food! This food was given to local food banks. The garden also tests old and new plant types to see what grows best. It teaches visitors and volunteers how to grow food well.
Visiting the Gardens
You need a ticket to enter the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Kids and seniors get a discount. You can also buy a yearly membership to visit often. The main paths are easy to use. If you have trouble walking, electric carts are available first-come, first-served.
Special Events at the Gardens
Sometimes, you need a special ticket for fundraising events. These events help the Gardens raise money.
- Art in the Gardens: This event happens in August.
- Festival of Lights: Enjoy this event on December weekends.
- My Garden: This event takes place every two years in May.
The Gardens are closed on the Saturday after Labor Day. This is for the annual WineSong event, which supports the local hospital.
Classes and Amenities
The Gardens offer public classes and other fun events. You can find these on their website, www.gardenbythesea.org. Some popular events include the annual Rhododendron Festival and Conifer Day.
When you visit, you can also find:
- A gift shop to buy souvenirs.
- A plant nursery where you can buy plants.
- Rhody's Garden Cafe for food and drinks.
History of the Gardens
The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens started in 1961. Ernest and Betty Schoefer created them. For 16 years, the Schoefers ran the garden as their own business. Later, the property was sold to different groups of investors.
In 1982, a group called the California Coastal Conservancy helped. They gave money to buy 12 acres of the garden. This land was then leased to a non-profit group. This group, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens Preservation Corporation (MCBGPC), still manages the Gardens today.
Bringing All the Land Together
In 1988, the remaining 35 acres of the original garden became available for sale. Local officials asked the Coastal Conservancy to help buy this land too. The Conservancy agreed to fund a plan for the Gardens. This plan was called the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens Coastal Restoration Plan.
In 1991, the Coastal Conservancy gave a large amount of money. This allowed the remaining 35 acres to be bought. This brought the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens back to its original size of 47 acres. The land is owned by the Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District. It is leased to the MCBGPC to manage. The goal was to protect the garden's natural beauty and allow public access. It also aimed to offer more fun activities for everyone.
See also
In Spanish: Jardín botánico de Mendocino Costa para niños
