Community Projects
Harrison Memorial Library
The library, which opened in 1928, was designed by architect Bernard Maybeck and built by M.J. Murphy.
The Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club embarked upon a project to restore and improve the original garden area beginning in 2004. The library garden continues to be updated and carefully monitored as an on-going civic project. Our Club members volunteer their gardening skills monthly throughout the year.
Before Photo of the Harrison Memorial Library
Working and Growing the Library Garden
Piccadilly Park
The campaign to save old Piccadilly Nursery on Dolores Street from development was the impetus for the Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club. Founders Jean Booth Mitchell and Carol Stratton encouraged the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea to landscape the park, providing open space in downtown Carmel. Volunteer work to maintain the garden continues to be an important civic project.
Jean Mitchell
Carol Stratton
Constance Meach Ridder Memorial Garden at City Hall
This garden restoration was completed in 2012 as a Garden Club project in memory of a former member and funded by private contributions. With the guidance of landscape designer Michelle Comeau, the garden was transformed to a restful space of seasonal flowers, native plants, redwoods and pines.
North Dunes Habitat Restoration Project
Beginning in 2009, the Club embarked on a long-term collaboration with the City of Carmel as part of the 2010 Garden Club of America “Centennial Anniversary” project to restore part of the environmentally sensitive habitat area known as the North Dunes at the corner of Ocean and San Antonio Avenues.
Animal species such as the elusive Legless lizard and Acmon’s blue butterfly, and plant species like the native Tidestrom’s lupine, Indian paintbrush (Castilleja) and sand verbena are carefully monitored and protected as part of the Club’s civic project. Club members regularly volunteer to help maintain control of invasive weeds and debris. In 2019 this habitat was accepted as The Garden Club of America “Partners for Plants” project, a nationwide initiative to restore native habitat on public lands.
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Sanctuary Research Reserve
The Garden Club has, during the past several years, assisted with work at Elkhorn Slough as part of our commitment to the “Partners for Plants” project. The focus has been the restoration of native grasses to upland prairies and marshlands along the slough.
Members have worked in the nursery to prepare salt grasses (Distichlis spicata) for planting in the marshlands around the slough and helped to plant salt grass and alkali heath (Frankenia salina) in the high marsh at Whistlestop Lagoon.
* Other “Partners for Plants” projects have included the Landers-Hill Big Creek Reserve (University of California Natural Reserve System) in Big Sur and elsewhere.
Cooper Molera Adobe
During the 1980’s, Club members contributed to the restoration of the Cooper Molera period-specific 19th century gardens. For over three decades, the Club has remained associated with this historical complex in Monterey. Heirloom orchard trees and documented garden plants were purchased and planted by the Club for this important community project. Club volunteers have given tours and continued support to help this notable garden that received a GCA Historic Preservation Commendation. The Cooper Molera Adobe is now deemed a National Trust Historic Site.
