The Project – Marin Art and Garden Center

Sowing the Seeds:

Investing in the Future of Marin Art and Garden Center

The Project

Overview

The Sowing the Seeds project, presently in review with the Town of Ross, includes improvements primarily on the lower, western half of the site. The project addresses deferred maintenance in several key areas as well as pedestrian circulation and accessibility. The project also includes fencing much of the site to alleviate deer damage to the landscaping and to provide additional security. Visitors will still have access to the fenced site 365 days a year.

Three primary project areas are complemented by site-wide elements:

Reimagined Entrance

Entrance during 1964 Marin Art and Garden Fair

Inspired by the original 19^th century estate-era entrance to the property from what was then Ross Landing Road, the new entrance will feature an allée of trees shading a new sidewalk from Sir Francis Drake Blvd to the entry plaza and on to the Garden School. Throughout this path pedestrians will be separated from vehicle traffic.

A new plaza will provide a central entry point for the site and will include a location for interpretation and information. Here, visitors will be oriented to the primary circulation and organization path around the magnolia circle—the historic 19^th century carriageway—that connects visitors to all points beyond.

Highlights

Current entry from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard

Architectural rendering of future entry

New entry gate
Lower stone walls to improve visibility of Kittle Creek
Reconfigured parking lot – safe drop off, accessible parking spaces
Restroom renovation – family friendly/gender neutral, access from main circulation path and plaza

These improvements allow for improved navigability, safety and visitor comfort as well as a grander natural gateway to the splendor of the Garden’s interior.

Upgraded Celebration Area

The Sowing the Seeds project calls for reestablishing the original relationship between the Livermore and Northgate buildings, expanding the Celebration Courtyard and covered areas, updating the outdoor dining areas, rebuilding the stage and improving access to the Celebration Area.

These improvements will enable year-round use, easier access and enhanced aesthetics, making one of the county’s most cherished celebration spaces even more special.

Highlights

Architectural rendering of future Livermore Pavilion courtyard area

Livermore Building

Accessible toilet rooms will be added
Removal of dropped ceiling exposing original interior roof structure
Opening front of building to courtyard with sliding and stacking glass doors
Removal of non-original awning
New covered area connecting Livermore and Northgate Buildings
Replace decks, exposing more of Kittle Creek

Northgate Building

Addition of an accessible restroom

Stage

Replace existing stage with lower, accessible platform
New stage cover structure

Architectural rendering of future Celebration Stage

Celebration Area Entrance and Courtyard

Key to this element of the Sowing the Seeds project is a new entrance to the Celebration Area from the main circulation path, through what is presently the northeastern corner of the Rose Garden. This new entrance and reconfigured plantings provide multiple benefits, including:

A larger, more open Celebration Courtyard
Better separation between the celebration space and other areas so that visitors can enjoy celebrations and other activities concurrently
Accessible path of travel from new Laurel Grove parking place through Celebration Area to historic Octagon house
Courtyard and outdoor dining areas will be repaved with a pervious paving and stone paving
Courtyard to be planted with Valley Oak trees referencing the early landscape of the Center, providing shade and enhancing the riparian areas.

Barn Theater/Redwood Amphitheater/Pixie Park – Access and Safety

Improving access and safety for visitors to the Barn Theater, the long-time home of the Ross Valley Players, the Redwood Amphitheater and Pixie Park will be achieved by replacing and reorienting the steps between the Fountain Pond and the Barn Theater. This new path of travel will accentuate the 19^th century Barn Theater, one of the oldest structures on the Marin Art and Garden Center campus.

Highlights

Improved, safer path of travel from Foundation Pond to Barn Theater
Accessible pedestrian path of travel from the Redwood Amphitheater and Pixie Park to the Barn Theater restrooms
Paved fire department turnaround

Sitewide Fencing

The internal core of the Center, approximately 8 of the 11 acres, will be enclosed and protected with new fencing which abuts existing fencing in several locations. The fence will be a combination of a simple wire deer fence, decorative metal fencing and decorative wood fencing with all fencing occurring internally to the property. A new main gate will highlight the Reimagined Entrance and self-closing gates will be placed in strategic locations around the perimeter.

While protecting the gardens from deer, the fenced site will remain open to visitors as it is presently —sunrise to sunup, 365 days a year.

Garden Expansions

With new sitewide deer fencing and a renovated entrance to the Celebration Area, the Rose Garden can be liberated from its gates and expanded into a larger and more accessible space in the plaza area behind the main office building and adjacent to the parking lot, public restrooms and the interior Garden School entrance. This creates a flexible and accessible space, improving the visitor experience and allowing for more event and instruction opportunities.

Sitewide Signage, Wayfinding and Interpretive Materials

A comprehensive and graphically striking signage package has been developed for the Sowing the Seeds project, unifying identification of Marin Art and Garden Center landmarks and wayfinding. The package has been optimized for maximum visitor orientation and education, with a minimum of visual clutter—letting the Center’s architecture and gardens shine. Interpretative materials—including educational elements and plant identification signage complement the overall signage package.

Octagon House —Interpretive Center

This iconic structure, used as a temporary residence and well pump house during the 19^th century estate era, is envisioned as an ideal interpretative center, providing visitors with natural and cultural history of the site and the Center, not to mention its role in the community for 80 years.

Construction and Timing

Site preparation and construction will take approximately nine months to complete following project permitting, due to the complexity of working on an occupied site and maintaining Center events and programs throughout the year.

In accordance with a tree management plan, select trees identified as diseased or nearing the end of their lives in the planned improvements areas will be removed and new trees and landscaping will be planted throughout the project area. Water elements, including the fountain, two ponds and Kittle Creek (a tributary of Corte Madera Creek) will remain.

The Marin Art and Garden Center will maintain operating hours during construction activities.

To learn more about the Sowing the Seeds Capital Campaign, to arrange a site tour of the project or to consider sponsorship opportunities, please contact: