Water-saving partnership to transform Community Center lawn

The historic Sonoma Community Center (SCC) is scheduled for a landscape make-over, a project that will transform the front lawn into a demonstration garden for water conservation. The center will be breaking ground on this project on August 13.
“One of the primary goals of the center is to educate our community in new ideas and ways to meet new challenges,” said SCC Executive Director Kathy Swett. “This garden meets that goal perfectly.”
The 4,000 square-feet garden is being designed by the Sonoma County Master Gardeners, in conjunction with the city and the Sonoma County Water Agency. It will demonstrate the principles of water conservation, low-water gardening, drip irrigation, rainwater re-use and storm runoff abatement.
The design is about 80 percent complete and will continue to evolve, according to Cathy Williamson of the Master Gardeners, University of California, Davis Extension program that offers credits for volunteer work. “We will also be using the garden as a site for teaching gardening techniques, especially water conservation.”
State of the art water-saving systems will be employed through several distinct zones within the garden. There will be a Mediterranean area, and a California-Mediterranean section with drought tolerant plants. Other elements include a succulent garden, and a children’s garden with edible plants and herbs which attract birds and butterflies. A rain collection system and a display of lawn alternatives will also be featured.
The layout will incorporate space for the center’s frequent displays of sculpture, art exhibits and special sales. “It will provide a spectacular venue for a number of community activities,” Swett said.
The Master Gardeners will host periodic public workshops in the gardens on water-wise gardening. “This garden is a wonderful educational tool for our community,” said Swett, “and a great example of how partnership collaborations can benefit Sonoma.”
The Sonoma Community Center is closed for the month of August. “As soon as the Center reopens,” Williamson said, “we will be finalizing our plans and scheduling workdays for volunteers to help. We will also be using the garden as a site for teaching gardening techniques, especially water conservation.”
The grand opening of the gardens is scheduled for the Sonoma Community Center’s annual open house on November 19, 2009.