The Garden Conservancy's
OPEN DAYS PROGRAM
San Francisco Open Day SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY SAN FRANCISCO GEARY STREET GARDEN 735 Geary Street In the heart of downtown San Francisco lives a secret garden behind twin historic buildings. These structures were erected in the early 1900s in the theater district and are three blocks from Union Square on the dividing line between upper class Nob Hill and the notorious Tenderloin districts. It is extremely urban; however, from the tree-less streets and filthy sidewalks you are just a garden gate away from an amazing urban oasis. Sean Stout and James Pettigrew of Organic Mechanics have designed a lush habitat garden for frogs, fish, bees, butterflies, song birds, humming birds, mourning doves, nesting robins, and more. Even hawks regularly visit, bathing in the mosaic water feature after eating their pigeon in the trees. The garden invites people with its soothing sound of water, many paths, and secret nooks. Recycled materials are used in fresh, creative ways in mosaic paths, unusual planters, and sculpture. Rare and unusual plants are featured in this can't miss urban paradise. Organic Mechanics has won numerous awards including the American Horticulture Society Environment Award and the prestigious Best in Show at the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show. They have appeared on many television programs, newspapers, and magazines. Their design build firm is founded on organic and sustainable principles.
2014 | I Note: This garden is a three block walk away from The Hummingbird Garden at the Hotel Mark Twain.
Saturday, June 25 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
From Marin, take Route 101 South across Golden Gate Bridge. Lombard Street becomes Van Ness Avenue/Route 101South take Van Ness Avenue to O'Farrel Street and turn left. Go to Leavenworth Street and turn left onto Leavenworth Street. Turn left onto Geary, #735 is halfway down block on left between Leavenworth Street and Hyde Streets. From East Bay, take I-80W to Harrison Street at 5th Street. Follow Harrison Street to left onto 6th Street and turn right. Cross Market Street where 6th becomes Taylor Street. Follow Taylor north to Geary Street and turn left. Number 735 is between Leavenworth and Hyde Streets on left. From South Bay, take I-280 North and exit onto 6th Street. Cross Market Street where 6th Street becomes Taylor Street and go north to Geary Street. Turn left onto Geary. Number 735 is halfway down block between Leavenworth and Hyde on left. There is metered parking or parking garages on two blocks sandwiching the 700 Geary block.
HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN Hotel Mark Twain, 345 Taylor Street This garden, designed and built by Organic Mechanics, is nestled between two old high story brick buildings, behind the Mark Twain Hotel. The garden lies smack between the rough edgy urban Tenderloin and the upscale Union Square neighborhoods of San Francisco. This garden is designed for us by hotel guests as well as the bar and restaurant. The garden, once a slab of concrete, is titled 'The Hummingbird Garden'. The garden contains many habitat plants that tolerate the shade, such as fuchsias and begonias. The hardscape is ninety percent reclaimed materials including memorial waste (beautiful granite, marble, and other stone),
rusty weights, manhole covers, saw blades and a huge variety of wood planks to create the boardwalk. The heart of the garden is a large fountain and pond, while a smaller stone water element is for the birds and butterflies. The recycled boardwalk snakes itself through the long space making the garden feel larger. There are three small patios for intimate seating and one large mosaic patio at the end of the boardwalk for larger gatherings. Mark Twain's words still echo in the garden's hardscape, custom etched forever in stone. This garden is a one of a kind hidden gem that is truly a sustainable, artistic habitat.
2014 Note: This garden is a three block walk away from the Geary Street Garden. 345 Taylor Street is located between O'Farrell Street and Ellis Street. Street parking may be difficult. Many public lots in proximity.
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TENDERLOIN NATIONAL FOREST 511 Ellis Street Urban blight is interrupted by bucolic splendor on one of the Tenderloin's grittiest blocks. Once littered with hypodermic needles and garbage, dead-end Cohen Alley has been transformed by a nonprofit artists' collective. A grove of trees is taking root, concrete walls are covered with bright murals, and asphalt has been replaced with mosaic pathways and koi ponds. If you feel so inspired— and really, who wouldn't?—garden tools are available to help maintain San Francisco's scrappiest natural wonder. This forest is a project of the nonprofit Luggage Store gallery in cooperation with the city of San Francisco, which allows the nonprofit to lease the alley for $1 a year. See the Luggage Store's website for upcoming events in the Tenderloin National Forest, including free clothes mending by artist Laureen Moyer on the 15th of each month (weather permitting) and occasional community pizzamaking in the garden patio pizza oven.
u NEW
Parts of garden are handicapped accessible
2014
Most recent year garden was open
I
Gardens opening for first time
Photographs permitted
NEW | u | I
The garden is on Ellis Street between Leavenworth and Hyde Streets. Getting there with public transportation. Bart: Powell. Muni: Powell. Bus: 27, 31, 38
The Garden Conservancy
The Open Days Program
is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1989 to save and share America's outstanding gardens for the education and inspiration of the public.
began in 1995 as a means of introducing the public to gardening, providing easy access to outstanding examples of design and horticultural practice, and proving that exceptional American gardens are still being created.
Do you love gardens as much as we do?
Do you love VISITING gardens as much as we do?
Join us in preserving, sharing, and championing gardens by becoming a Garden Conservancy member.
Learn more about us and see the full Open Days schedule at:
Visit www.gardenconservancy.org/join
www.opendaysprogram.org
The Garden Conservancy's Open Days Program www.opendaysprogram.org | P.O. Box 219, Cold Spring, New York, 10516 | T: (845) 424-6502 / F: (845) 424-6501 / Toll-free: 1 (888) 842-2442 | E:
[email protected]