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Partnership for Ponds Begins Work at Descanso
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| David Brown, left, executive director of Descanso Gardens, and Terry Morrill, owner of Pro Ponds West, talk at the site of the Mulberry Pond restoration project donated to the Gardens by Pro Ponds West. |
“The sound of splashing water is laughter in the garden.”
This sentiment, expressed by a garden center executive, captures the attitude of several organizations working together to modernize Descanso Gardens’ extensive—and aged—system of ponds and streams. What began as one company’s generous donation to the Gardens is evolving into a long-term, multi-partner project. Work began in mid-February with the re-design and reconstruction of Mulberry Pond at the west end of the Promenade and at a junction in a road leading to major Descanso attractions.
The Mulberry Pond restoration, with an estimated value of $68,780, is a donation to the Gardens from Pro Ponds West, a Sun Valley-based distributor of water features for private and public places.
Joining in a partnership with Descanso Gardens and Pro Ponds West are California Waterscapes, a Los Angeles pond installation company; Aquascape Designs, a Chicago-based manufacturer of pond systems distributed by Pro Ponds West, and Armstrong Garden Centers, a regional retail distributor of home-installation ponds, plants and garden accessories.
To help finance the restoration of additional water features at Descanso, Pro Ponds West has pledged the proceeds from its annual Parade of Ponds through the year 2010. In coming months, tickets for that July 8-9 tour of spectacular public and private ponds will be available at a variety of venues throughout Southern California, including Descanso Gardens and all 34 Armstrong Garden Centers.
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Building Mulberry Pond at Descanso Gardens included a one-day, hands-on seminar for 40 contractors from throughout Southern California. |
“Terry Morrill of Pro Ponds West has proven once again that good ideas attract good partners,” said David R. Brown, executive director of Descanso Gardens, “and we are very grateful for this unique and important support. That water features are integral to most people’s experience with and enjoyment of gardens goes almost without saying. We are by nature attracted to water. And water, both still and running, can be both melody and counterpoint to the color, texture and structure of the landscape. Since I arrived at Descanso last summer, our water features have been high on my list for immediate attention because they are so important in the visitor experience. This kind of corporate partnership philanthropy—in which both recipient and donor can realize their business goals and benefit mutually—represents a new and exciting avenue for us as we exercise our stewardship responsibilities toward Descanso Gardens. Such
practical generosity and attention to Descanso’s identified priorities for pond restoration are an extraordinary gift to the Gardens and the public we serve.”
Descanso’s ponds and streams are part of a circulating system built more than 60 years ago. Maintenance and isolation of problems have become difficult as the long, meandering system has aged. Plans call for modern, self-contained designs for each pond and stream. The Gardens’ lake is not part of the initial project plans, but is being considered for future restoration.
“Our goal is to return Descanso’s water features to showcase quality and create a water garden experience which might inspire visitors to create a relaxing environment at their own homes by installing a pond,” explains Terry Morrill, owner of Pro Ponds West. It was Morrill who initiated the project.
 “We’re gratified by the enthusiasm of all the partners in this effort,” he adds. “Aquascape Design is the premier organization in this industry. California Waterscapes does exceptional work. And every gardener in Southern California must be familiar with Armstrong Garden Centers. We couldn’t have a better team to work with the beautiful botanical museum that is Descanso Gardens.”
Each project partner hopes that showcase water features at the popular public gardens will help raise public awareness of their businesses. But all agreed their combined concept was best summed up by Chris Greenwood, director of public relations for Armstrong Garden Centers, who commented that “the sound of splashing water is laughter in the Gardens.”
The partner organizations will work together in coming months to help generate funds for additional water features, with all but the cost of goods considered restricted gifts to the Gardens and earmarked for water feature reconstruction.
Future projects, with estimated retail costs of approximately $413,000, would include winding streams; ponds along the Promenade, near the Center Circle and Café Court, and a possible water feature in the Center Circle display area.
Early estimates do not include work at Japanese Garden ponds or the lake. Various design options would be considered before those costs could be developed.
Work at the 3,000-square-foot Mulberry Pond, accented by a 10-foot waterfall, began Feb. 9 with relocation of the koi who swim there. At mid-point in construction crews were joined by nearly 40 contractors from throughout the region for a one-day Advanced Build-a-Pond Workshop led by Ed Beaulieu, Aquascape Design’s director of development and research.
As crews worked on the pond, Morrill and Aquascape Design owner Greg Wittstock presented the larger plan to the Descanso Gardens Guild Board of Trustees.
“We’re excited to see the first step in what we hope will develop into a long-term relationship,” says Amy Lamb, chairman of the Descanso Gardens Guild Board of Trustees.” This is a nice match that can benefit everyone involved—particularly the visitors who spend time at Descanso.”
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