Gardens of the World

Gardens of the World
French Waterfall by entrance.
Gardens of the World
Gardens of the World
Type Botanical garden
Location Thousand Oaks, California, United States
Coordinates 34°10′35″N 118°50′54″W / 34.1765°N 118.8483°W / 34.1765; -118.8483Coordinates: 34°10′35″N 118°50′54″W / 34.1765°N 118.8483°W / 34.1765; -118.8483
Area 4.5 acres (18,000 m2)
Opened December 2001
Operated by Hogan Family Foundation
Status Open
Website www.gardensoftheworld.info

Gardens of the World is a botanical garden in Thousand Oaks, California. It is located at Thousand Oaks Boulevard, directly across the street from Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.[1] Established in 2001, the park was given to the city by the owners of a local travel agency. It is home to a French garden and waterfall, English rose garden, Italian grapevine garden and a Japanese garden with koi ponds and a pagoda. The park is used for hiking and picnicking, and guided tours of the gardens are available.[2] Its Californian Mission Courtyard is home to native California flora and murals of the remaining 21 California Missions. It is also a statue of Father Junipero Serra in this part of the park.[3] The botanical garden is 4,5 acres.[4][5]

Overview

The gardens in the park are connected by a concrete trail which loops the gardens. The iron entry gate from across the Civic Arts Plaza leads onto a parterre in the French Garden, located immediately in front of a massive waterfall. To the right through the arches lies the English Perennial & Rose Gardens and its pergola. This garden features 400 rose bushes. The Italian Garden near the Bandstand lawn contains a grape arbor and an Italian chain fountain. Tucked in the corner is the Japanese Garden featuring a koi pond, decorative rock waterfall, a pagoda and stream with a wooden bridge. The California Mission Courtyard memorates the California Missions with murals of the 21 remaining missions, along with a Spanish fountain.[6]

Exhibits

The English Rose Garden.

It contains five gardens:[7][8][9]

  • French Garden with its large cascading waterfall lies by the park’s iron entry gates, immediately across Thousand Oaks Boulevard from the Civic Arts Plaza. There are two types of parterres found in this garden: one shaped in the form of a butterfly ("papillon") and another in shape of the sun. The French Fountain is an authentic replica of one found at Versailles, France. Flowers and low boxwood hedges arranged in intricate design surround the foot of the waterfall.
  • English Perennial and Rose Garden contains 400 rose bushes with a variety of colors and species. The garden is home to two types of roses: Bush- and Climber roses. It has a pergola with numerous arches and places for seating.
  • Italian Garden features a lush grape arbor and an Italian chain fountain designed with historic Italian architecture. This garden also exhibits a number of distinctive Cypress trees often found at Italy’s famed gardens. A Venus De Milo statue is located on top of the fountain. Cabernet- and chardonnay grapes are represented.
  • Japanese Garden is home to an authentic Japanese Pagoda surrounded by a Koi pond, Japanese-design bridges and bamboo shoots. A decorative waterfall, Dragon’s Gate Waterfall, and a stream are also found here. The waterfall is named for the fable that if a Koi can swim to the top of the falls, it will turn into a dragon. Rock formations in the pond represent a crane and a turtle, symbols of longevity.
  • Mission Courtyard exhibits California’s mission trail. A statue of Father Junipero Serra, the priest who founded many of the California Missions, is located here. The courtyard itself contains colorful, hand-painted murals of the 21 remaining missions in California, painted by local artists Bridget Duffy and Mark Fenton. Animal prints can be seen in the hand-made tiles and are traditional symbols of good luck. The Spanish Fountain in the center of the courtyard is traditionally designed in three levels, so that chickens, horses, and people all could drink from the same fountain. The courtyard is surrounded by olive- and citrus trees.

In the center of the gardens is an authentic replica of the American/Victorian Bandstand. The bandstand functions as an amphitheater and is where musical performances take place.

Sources

  1. ↑ Weissler, Sabrina (2013). Los Angeles for Free. Teachtopia. Page 50. ISBN 9781492857846.
  2. ↑ Randall, Laura (2010). Peaceful Places: Los Angeles: 100+ Sites for Tranquility Across the City of Angels. Menasha Ridge Press. Page 71. ISBN 9780897329019.
  3. ↑ Lee, Gregory (1992). California Missions: A Guide to the State's Spanish Heritage. American Traveler Press. Page 48. ISBN 9781558381223.
  4. ↑ https://www.conejovalleyguide.com/dosomethingblog/gardens-of-the-world-thousand-oaks.html
  5. ↑ http://www.laweekly.com/best-of/2015/sports-and-recreation/best-free-international-garden-walk-6044440
  6. ↑ http://www.gardensoftheworld.info/forms/selfguidedtour.pdf
  7. ↑ http://www.gardensoftheworld.info/forms/selfguidedtour.pdf
  8. ↑ http://www.gardensoftheworld.info/forms/Map.pdf
  9. ↑ Baker, Pam (2002). Thousand Oaks Westlake Village: A Contemporary Portrait. Community Communications, Inc. Pages 53-54. ISBN 978-1581920611.
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