OWADP tour of Blake Garden

OWADP members toured Blake Garden in Kensington on May 14th. Laurie Twichell, a landscape architect, who works at the gardens guided the tour. Laurie explained the history of the estate once owned by the Blake family. Originally, 40 acres of grazing land, the Blake’s brought in all the plants that now grow there. Mrs. Blake’s sister, Mabel Symmes designed the grounds. Mabel was one of the first graduates of the UC Berkeley Landscape Architecture program. The garden was modeled on the Villa Tusculana at Frascati, Italy. The garden remained a private residence until 1957 when it was deeded over the the university.

Laurie guided us through roughly 2 acres of the property. She introduced us to the varying regions of the garden and provided explanations on the research taking place there. She spoke highly of four different forms of composting the garden was using. She discussed the methods being used to maintain the garden but how the garden will grow and change with the needs to the users over time.

The garden was home to several university presidents until 8 years ago when the garden was opened to the public. Now a teaching and research garden for the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, the garden also offers a learning laboratory for UC students and students from local community colleges. It is open to the public Monday through Friday.