“Approximately $4,000 is needed to complete the project,” that will not only enhance the garden but Blanchard Community Library, she added.Finding the native plants is a challenge, said Wilson, as “it takes a little more shopping around; although grown regularly in California, you just don’t don’t find the plants at an everyday nursery.”The project has been in the talking stage for about a year but Murals of Santa Paula Project coordinator Joyce Carlson “started thinking about a garden when the mural was planned. . .we’ve sort of been looking at that area with dismay for years thinking that it needed sprucing up,” even before the mural was created. Now, “Joyce sort of kicked me in the seat of my pants and got it going.”A generous donation from Triem gave the project its start, Wilson noted.There are two sets of plans detailing the Chumash mural garden project: one set “Hopefully, near the front,” to catch the attention of visitors to Blanchard Community Library and another set for presentations to service clubs and organizations.The weather is still too hot for native plant planting, but the demolition and concrete work can proceed. “If we had all the funds in hand we’d probably still be looking at November, that’s the best planting month,” said Wilson.For more information on the project or to arrange for a presentation, call Wilson at 525-0237.Donations are tax deductible and can be made to Blanchard Community Library, c/o Chumash Mural Garden, 119 N. 8th St. A donation box is also available at the library desk.
Chumash: Garden project in the works to enhance admired mural
August 29, 2001
Santa Paula News
The Chumash Mural - depicting the river valley’s first residents - is a definite stop for locals and visitors alike: and the massive mural, painted on the west wall of Blanchard Community Library, will be further enriched with a new garden to reflect the true surroundings of the Chumash.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe Chumash Mural - depicting the river valley’s first residents - is a definite stop for locals and visitors alike: and the massive mural, painted on the west wall of Blanchard Community Library, will be further enriched with a new garden to reflect the true surroundings of the Chumash.“The exciting new garden is being created for the purpose of enhancing and blending with the Chumash Mural,” said Judy Triem, a historian and member of the Murals Project of Santa Paula.The project includes replacing the sidewalk into front of the mural with decomposed granite, and a “pathway will flow from the mural creating a natural stream bed. . .a new gently curving walkway of exposed aggregate concrete will be introduced,” and a bench along the walkway facing the mural will “provide a viewing area and resting place,” said Triem. In addition, boulders will be placed in the area to provide seating.The magnificent oak trees will be surrounded by native plants, and the “low growing shrubs or ground cover will reflect as much as possible those plants used by the Chumash Indians.”Chris Wilson of Santa Paula did the plans for the new garden and planting materials were chosen by Susan Stephenson.Suggested planting materials include manzanita, ceanothus or mountain lilac, redbud, California fuschia, grasses and/or rushes, several species of sage, gooseberry and yucca.Over half of the funds to complete the garden have been raised, Triem noted, and volunteers are also donating their time and effort to the project.
