The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden recently celebrated a major accomplishment and took the chance to honor the many volunteers and donors who’ve made the garden’s over 30-year journey.
Botanical Garden Executive Director, Chenda Lor welcomed guests to the mixer and dinner that included representatives from several county Chambers of Commerce cutting ribbons and celebrating the dedication of the Garden’s new, Donor Wall of Honor.
“It’s been almost 33 years in the making,” Lor said, “but we have done it! Thanks to the dedication and persistence of so many community members, we find ourselves today standing on solid ground. The concrete is in and the garden is more accessible to more people as a result of all the hard work, love, and support the community has given to this project.”
By concrete, Lor was addressing the Garden’s latest major improvement, a paved walkway and patio area behind the Garden’s education center building. The concrete replaced gravel paths and improved access for those in wheelchairs.
The donor wall honors the many SLO County residents who have generously supported the Botanical Garden since inception.
“To acknowledge the original major contributors to the construction of the Education Center,” Lor said, “we dedicate the lovely original mosaic donor wall to them. Thank you to the artists — Ben and Robbin Trogdon for donating their time, studio, materials, patience, and a few cocktails toward the making of the tiles; Maggie Wagner who assisted them with building, glazing, and installation; Janine Stillman for the glass flowers [yet to be installed] and to all of them for making my vision of the Donor Wall even better than I had imagined.”
She specially thanked the Harold J. Niossi Trust, which paid for the concrete to be installed.
In the photo, members of the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce and Garden volunteers cut the grand opening ribbon for the Donor Wall.
The Garden is now opened again, after being closed m,uch of the past 2 years due to the Coronavirus Pandemic response. See: www.slobg.org for informaiton on the Garden’s hours and upcoming events.
