Cornerstone Gardens, Sonoma, CA
Cornerstone Gardens, located in Sonoma, California, have been called the most innovative gardens in America. The first such gallery-style gardens in the United States, the nine-acre Cornerstone Festival of Gardens—with 20 different gardens, each designed by a world famous landscape architect--has been envisioned as an inspiration and resource for people interested in gardens, garden design and art.

The gardens contribute to the art, philosophy and future of garden design; they focus on themes and ideas, establishing or uncovering new directions in garden design and art. Continually in a state of evolution, some garden installations are in place for a season, while others remain for several seasons. In addition to individual gardens by select landscape architects and designers, a gallery provides information on the designers and the process of creating each of their installations. Cornerstone also hosts educational seminars on landscape architecture and garden design.

For art and garden enthusiasts who rarely get to see the work of leading landscape architects and garden designers, the nine-acre property is a place which allows visitors to see and experience the work of the world's most acclaimed landscape designers. At Cornerstone, these artists have the freedom to create everything from traditional gardens to modern, conceptual installations.
Each designer is given a garden of approximately 1,800 square feet, a budget, boundless opportunity and one simple directive: “to invent, inform, and create beautiful and compelling gardens that engage and inspire the viewer intellectually, emotionally and aesthetically.”

For more information, visit the Cornerstone Gardens web site.

Conservancy Pledges $500,000 for Garden at the Great Park
The Great Park Conservancy’s Board of Directors has pledged to raise a minimum of $500,000 for the creation of a Conservancy Garden at the Orange County Great Park. Great Park Corporation Board Chair Larry Agran called the offer “a truly significant act worthy of note and deepest appreciation.” He went on to say that the Conservancy’s support promises to be “an integral part of a Great Park for all of Orange County to enjoy.”

Over the past year, the Conservancy conducted initial research for the Botanical Garden at the Orange County Great Park. In the course of this research, the idea for a Conservancy Garden as a first feature of the larger garden began to grow. The Conservancy Garden will be a source of inspiration for the larger garden. It will be world class in design, tell the story of the future botanical garden, include opportunities for learning, and be changeable and renewable. The Conservancy will immediately begin working with Great Park Master Designer Ken Smith and the Great Park Design Studio to discuss design issues and opportunities for the Conservancy Garden.

The Conservancy envisions the Great Park to be one of the world’s great metropolitan parks. Our role is to generate and maintain public and private support throughout Orange County and beyond for the development and operation of the Orange County Great Park.

We look forward to working with the Great Park Corporation and the Great Park Design Studio to support the planning, development, financing and operation of the Orange County Great Park – beginning with this partnership on the Conservancy Garden.

Posted February 8, 2007

Great Park Survey Results
In early December, members of the public were invited to attend an Open House at the Great Park, meet and talk with the Park designers, and participate in a short survey on proposed Park programs. The Conservancy offered an opportunity and encouraged those who could not attend the Open House to participate in the survey on-line.

Results of the survey have been compiled and are presented here in summary, along with comments by survey participants. Among the key findings are that people want: a mix of uses within the Park; features and programs that take advantage of the outdoors and unique space of the Park; and, facilities and amenities that are not otherwise available.

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Among the most popular attractions are:
Outdoor Performance Space
Botanical Garden
Amphitheater
Hiking Trails
Biking Trails
Nature Trails
Farmer's Market
Regional Festivals
Outdoor Cinema
Wildlife Observation Areas
Community Gardens.

Comments by survey participants included:
"The Great Park is an opportunity to provide Orange County with extraordinary museums, hiking paths, gardens, etc. that can be enjoyed by all ages..."

"Keep it green. Keep it interactive. Keep it about community in O.C."

"The park should act as a town square or focal point for all of Orange County to come together. It should incorporate much needed cultural venues where residents can find substance for the mind and soul."

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If you would like to receive a copy of the complete survey results, please call our Conservancy offices at 949.653.1775.

Posted December 20, 2007

Great Park Open House Invites Public to Comment on Park Programs
The public continues to play an important role in the design of the Orange County Great Park. On December 1st and 2nd from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Great Park Balloon site, the public is invited to the "Make the Great Park Your Park" Open House. Guests will be able to meet and talk with the Great Park designers, review exhibits and comment on proposed park programs through a short survey.

Members of the public who are unable to attend the event will be able to take the survey online at ocgp.org. The online survey will be available from December 1st through the 8th.

Programs under consideration have been grouped into five general areas: sports and recreation; cultural and social institutions and activities; historic preservation; ecology and nature; and festivals and events. Exhibits depicting programs in each of these areas will be on display for public review and comment. Public comments will help to guide the designers in recommending programs for inclusion in the Great Park Schematic Design.

The results of the survey will be presented to the Orange County Great Park Corporation Board on December 13th.

To take the survey click here …

Posted November 30, 2007

The Great Park Balloon
The Great Park Balloon is the first major attraction at the Orange County Great Park, now open to the public — and it’s free to ride through the end of the year!

Balloon riders will soar between 250-400 feet above the surrounding landscape, enjoying a bird's eye view of the transformation of the retired air station into the first great metropolitan park of the 21st Century.

The Great Park Balloon is the largest tethered helium balloon in the country. It is environmentally safe, non-polluting and totally silent. The balloon is tethered to the ground with a steel cable and is never in a state of free flight, making it fun for all ages.

Current Flight Schedule
10:00am to 3:00pm, Thursdays & Fridays
9:00am to 3:00pm, Weekends

Tip: Wind conditions for flying are best between opening and 12:30pm.

For the convenience of guests, the parking lot opens 30 minutes before normal operating hours. Registration begins 15 minutes prior to the first flight. As weather permits, the last flight of the day is at 2:50pm.

For weather updates or group bookings call (866) 829-3829. For more information visit The Great Park Balloon Website.

Posted November 1, 2007

Great Park News Archive