Grow the Gardens- Community Engagement Key Findings Report

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Block Party Key Finding Report

Summary Prior to the development of the Sherman Library & Gardens master plan entitlement documents, Sherman Library & Gardens opted to invite the community into the gardens through a series of Block Parties. This was not a requirement of the City, but rather a way for the team to hear from the community areas of success, potential growth, and needed program improvements. Overall, the Block Parties were a huge success with a very positive and supportive message from the community.

Each Block Party consisted of a series of engagements that were set up as stations throughout the garden. Information was presented to each participant in an effort to share more about the mission, programming and future vision of the Sherman Library & Gardens, while providing a safe and comfortable atmosphere for feedback to be provided.

Dates of Block Parties included January 26, February 5, & March 12. Invites were issued to 170 Volunteers & Docents, all 361 addresses within a 300' radius of both Sherman Library & Gardens properties, plus 129 additional individuals. This equates to 660 invited participants/addresses. Across all three Block Parties there were 199 participants, or an approximate 30% attendance rate. (According to Survey Monkey, national average for participation of surveys is 10% to 30%, so even though this was an in-person survey event, participation was at the higher range of normal.)

This document is intended to serve as a key findings report for future reference and consideration.

Photography of Engagements

Photography of Engagements

Photography of Engagements

Photography of Engagements

Photography of Engagements

Photography of Engagements Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Key Findings

Based on discussions and feedback shared during the Block Party engagements, the following key findings have been developed. Each key finding is intended to improve on the overall experience for members, visitors, and volunteers at the Sherman Library & Gardens.

Improvements to parking and traffic desired for both day to day visitors, surrounding residents and employees. Security of parking lots for safety is needed, especially at night.

Sherman Library & Gardens is a great place to bring families together with interesting and unique experiences. This should be shared more with expanded community engagement events!

Sustainable measures should be incorporated throughout the property in order to showcase best practices and teach visitors how to apply the thinking in their day-to-day environment. Our Earth needs us!

The improvements should be very careful to protect the history and charm of the property. The Community does not want the new additions to seem foreign to the existing oasis experience.

Increase opportunities for education experiences, programs and classes for people of all ages. More collaboration with school age children from elementary to high school desired.

Sherman Library & Gardens is hidden behind the walls. The bell tower is a great way to increase visibility into the property and bring the community together! Proper care is needed to be sure that noise from traffic is mitigated.

Improvements needed to overall infrastructure to improve mobility and accessibility and be sure that Sherman Library & Gardens is ready for the next 50 years!

Sherman should be attainable to everyone!

Increasing the hours of both the restaurant and garden is desired. Having the restaurant on PCH with dinner service and cocktails is a great amenity to the community!

A roof deck would be a lovely add to look down at the gardens while dining.

Strengths to Build On - Education & Programs Feedback on expanded program offerings such as additional education and art classes: More displays and text throughout the garden.

Garden Ambassadors should be given more information on each plant type and display.

Great exposure for kids that do not have gardens!

Partnerships with high school art and adult education schools.

Kid Photography classes could be offered.

Botany & Biology Classes to tie into sciences.

Become a lab project for high school biology classes!

Garden shop offerings should tie to education classes.

Send horticulture teams to schools to bring more awareness.

Increase animal exhibits- butterfly house, birds in the tropical conservatory.

Watercolor classes with wine for adult engagements.

"Science on Tap" programs with beer and snacks.

Increase lecture series to expose people to alternate views within the topics of horticulture, sustainability, and arts.

Engage with Scout groups to bring in more children.

Consider free membership for kids under 18 years old.

Increase the exposure to the programs and classes offered.

Offer evening or night classes to expand impact.

"Love your adult classes- do more!"

Lower cost class options to increase exposure to more people.

Library and Art is tucked away and too secretive. Provide more opportunities for exposure to what is available!

Strengths to Build On - Community Events Feedback on increased community engagement activities: The library and gardens should remain attainable to everyone.

We should be reaching a more diverse audience.

Improvements needed to mobility and accessibility throughout the site.

Move forward sensitively. Be careful that new design still connects back to history of the site.

Protect the feeling of respite and peaceful enjoyment.

Community events that combine botanic and art are special.

Share more about the Sherman Library & Garden's mission to attract more people.

Increase our reach beyond the walls!

Additional events in the evenings to bring people in.

Exposure to music in the gardens.

Expanded hours for the gardens to be enjoyed more.

Access from PCH and expanded hours for the restaurant to offer dinner service.

Increase visibility to PCH- the bell tower is a beautiful add!

Highlight and showcase local history and art in the gallery for people to understand more what is available.

Provide a kid garden area - "learn by doing" playful approach.

Grab & Go should be accessible from in the garden as well for coffee or wine while you wander through and see everything.

Picnic evenings in the gardens!

More 'dinner and a show' type events.

Increase education events offered, like Creatures of the Night.

Increase exposure to cultural experiences like a Lunar New Year Celebration.

Strengths to Build On - Sustainability Feedback on sustainability and climate impact considerations and programs: Be a model for sustainable practices!

Increase sustainable messaging to share methods and best practices.

Displays throughout garden to tell the sustainability story and explain the ecofriendly practices used.

Increase sustainability classes and show how to apply at home.

Water retention measures wanted and water wise classes.

Teach children how to preserve natures beauty.

Include solar.

Medicinal gardens and plants for whole body teachings.

Provide gardening classes on weekends and evenings so that people know how to properly grow herbs, vegetables and climate appropriate plants.

Composting and waste management should be utilized.

Climate appropriate plants could be sold.

Consider adding beehives.

Plant plaques should be placed throughout the garden so people can understand more why it is there and what its impact is.

Provide a sound garden for whole body health impacts.

The teachings could be a gateway for children to learn how to help our planet!

Support the next generation's growth.

The Earth needs us! Sherman can help teach how to improve.

Try to reuse architectural elements throughout new design in order to reduce waste.

Examples could include beams in library building, light fixtures, tile etc.

Masterplan Considerations Feedback provided on overall masterplan: The Bell Tower is great! This will change the face of Corona del Mar. Excited to have the Restaurant on PCH. Really like the wrought iron fence instead of more solid wood.

The increased visibility, with both architecturally and mission based efforts, is much appreciated!

Noise considerations with increased evening activity and visibility should be reviewed.

Architectural details need to be considerate of the history of the site.

How do you maintain a "gem" with growth?

Excited about the new plans, but don't want to lose the charm of the gardens.

Parking and traffic needs to be reviewed to be sure that limitations are addressed.

Can there be considerations to address off-street employee parking?

It should be noted that congestion happens on street sweeping days for the neighbors.

Parking underground is a nice, attractive way to improve the view for the residents.

More garden area, while increasing parking is great!

Scale and stepping of plants is key to create special experiences.

Soft edges around perimeter of site to blend into the residential community is preferred.

Design of the parking garage facing 3rd Avenue needs to be considered so that it doesn't feel too tall compared to residential neighbors.

The meandering walking path at edge of parking garage is a nice addition.

Site lighting should be directed to gardens, not residents.

Consider increasing garden shop area and offerings throughout the gardens and on PCH.

Opportunities for Improvement Community Consensus

Parking, traffic and flow of loading and unloading by vendors.

Volunteer & Docent Consensus

Increased accessibility and mobility throughout the gardens.

Community Consensus

More transparency and understanding of mission and vision from passerby.

Volunteer & Docent Consensus

Infrastructure improvements such as plumbing and heating issues on site.

Community Consensus

Stronger visibility and presence along PCH, as a gateway to Corona del Mar.

Volunteer & Docent Consensus

Infrastructure improvements due to poor waterproofing, risking art and library collections.

Spanish Architectural Details

honoring the history of the site are to be incorporated throughout.

New Stately Bell Tower Shared messages: "We love it all!"

"We love the use of the bell and gates at the new entrance!"

"This will teach children how to preserve natures beauty!"

"Keep doign what you are doing!

What's next?"

Garden-to-Table Experience Shared messages: "Please keep the restaurant open during construction."

"Bring on the dinners & cocktails!"

"The restaurant on PCH would make for a nice add to the community."

"Love the improvements to the brick paving!"

Tea Garden Shared messages: "Love the balcony and wood embellishments."

"More people will be able to see what the gardens offer. It will become attainable for everyone!"

"A view of the garden from a roof top deck would be stunning!"

Survey Results Each participant was asked to provide feedback on a scale of 1-10 based on 4 questions. The overwhelming majority felt that the project was a huge improvement to Corona del Mar, and in alignment with the mission and vision of the Sherman Library & Gardens.

Criticism was centered around two things: concerns about parking and traffic flow to be sure that is improved from current state, and concerns that the gardens maintain their intimate and charming experience. Both areas of concern are in careful and thoughtful review. Sherman Library & Garden has retained a Traffic Engineering to assist with design of a parking management plan including valet parking schemes, and placement of a ride share pick up and drop off zone, etc. Additionally, architectural details are being reviewed and studied carefully to sensitively blend the current design and configuration with the new design elements.

JANUARY 26- VOLUNTEER & DOCENT

FEBRUARY 5- COMMUNITY EVENT

MARCH 12- COMMUNITY EVENT

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Block Party Key Finding Report