Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens was a gift to the City of Santa Barbara from the late Alice Keck Park who purchased the site of the former Mirasol Hotel. Her intent was to develop a high quality, informal horticultural garden--a "Botanic Park"--of interest to horticulturists as well as garden enthusiasts. The Garden was dedicated in 1980 and has since been under the management of the Parks and Recreation Department.

The Garden is a retreat from the busy city that surrounds it. The collection of interesting and colorful plants attracts many hundreds of visitors each year. Because of the diversity of the plantings and degree of care required to maintain them at their peak, special attention must be paid to the horticultural needs of the Garden.

The staff of the Parks Department strives to maintain the park at the highest level possible and has recently established a volunteer program at the Garden. The goal of the program is to supplement the regular maintenance staff whose many other duties leave them little time for the extra care the Garden deserves.

The Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden Volunteer Program offers:

• Opportunities to learn more about plants and plant care (both common and unusual).
• Basic principles of water efficient landscaping using a wide variety of plants.
• Introduction to the key features of the Sensory Garden for visually impaired visitors.
• Volunteer assignments for all levels of experience and/or time availability.

The program is scheduled to be in place by April 1, 1996. Volunteer hours are from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We ask for two hours per week minimum and a two year commitment.

For more information on joining this exciting new group, please contact Jeff Cope, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director at (805) 564-5437.

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