Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Tina Tovey
707-939-6462 h
707-738-1098 c
tinatovey@earthlink.net

Treasure Unearthed on Seventh Street East
Sonoma Ecology Center Celebrates Grand Opening of The Sonoma Garden Park

Sonoma, California – May 4, 2004 – A children’s treasure hunt is among the activities planned for the grand opening of The Sonoma Garden Park, formerly known as the Pauline Bond Community Garden, on Seventh Street East. The Saturday, June 5 opening features live music and refreshments, garden tours, demonstrations, an herb walk, children’s activities, and sales of live plants, fresh produce, flowers, and herbs. The event also celebrates the renaming of the park.

Why the new name? “Many Valley residents have heard of the Pauline Bond Community Garden, but few are aware that this 6-acre garden is actually a park,” explains Mollyanne Meyn, Garden Coordinator. “Pauline was a local school teacher who owned and lived on the property for many years. When she willed the land to the people of Sonoma in 1979, she did so with the requirement that it be preserved as a public park for everyone to enjoy. This amazing gift to the community is a little-known treasure that we hope everyone will want to rediscover. By renaming the park we hope to inspire visitors both old and new to come and experience this gem of community space.”

The grand opening event is the kickoff to a full season of events at The Sonoma Garden Park, including the weekly Harvest Market, outdoor movie nights (with films screened on the barn door), Volunteer Saturdays twice monthly, cooking demonstrations in the new cobb oven, and classes and workshops throughout the Summer. Proceeds from all events will fund development of new programs and improvements to The Garden, such as a native plant nursery, expansion of the family garden plot area, xeriscaping and habitat demonstration areas, educational programs and volunteer opportunities, public meeting areas, improved handicapped access, fire safety features, and installation of electricity and permanent restrooms.

Festivities take place on Saturday, June 5, 2004, from 11am to 2 pm at The Sonoma Garden Park on Seventh Street East between Denmark and MacArthur. For further information, please call 996-9744 extension 120 or email sec-mollyanne@vom.com.

The Sonoma Garden Park is a project of the Sonoma Ecology Center, whose mission since 1990 has been to work toward sustainable ecological health in the Sonoma Valley, through research, education, restoration, and preservation.