Rose Garden. Photo: Colleen Neff
The first phase of the reconstruction of Berkeley’s Rose Garden trellis has begun. Photo: Colleen Neff
The first phase of the reconstruction of Berkeley’s Rose Garden trellis has begun. Photo: Colleen Neff

The trellis at Berkeley’s storied Rose Garden is to be rebuilt, and on Monday afternoon a small event was held to mark the  ‘groundbreaking’ for Phase 1 of the Rose Garden Trellis Restoration Project.

This phase consists of the documentation and demolition of the existing trellis; the salvage of existing wood members; the reconstruction of the center portion of the trellis; pathway accessibility upgrades; and lighting and safety upgrades, according to the city, and is estimated to cost $391,620. It is being underwritten by the Measure F parks tax, the General Fund, and the East Bay Regional Parks District (Measure WW).

Read the city’s plan for the Rose Garden trellis restoration.

The second phase of the restoration would be to complete the trellis reconstruction and accessibility upgrades, and is tentatively scheduled for 2018, dependent on raising the necessary funds.The Berkeley Rose Garden occupies most of the block between Eunice Street and Bayview Place, along the west side of Euclid Avenue. Construction of the garden began in 1933 with funds provided by the federal Civil Works Administration.

The Rose Garden pergola and the pathway underneath it have been closed to the public since spring 2014 due to safety concerns. 

L to R: Charlie Bowen (Berkeley Partners for Parks), Susan Wengraf (City Council member), Paul Kamen (spelling?) (Parks, Rec & Waterfront), Sandy McCoy (spelling?) (Berkeley Partners for Parks), Scott Ferris (Director of Parks, Rec & Waterfront)
L to r: Charlie Bowen (Berkeley Partners for Parks), city councilwoman Susan Wengraf, Paul Kamen (Parks, Recreation & Waterfront), Sandi McCoy (Berkeley Partners for Parks), and Scott Ferris (Director of Parks, Recreation & Waterfront) break ground on the first phase of the restoration project. Photo: Colleen Neff
Rose Garden. Photo: Colleen Neff
Rose Garden. Photo: Colleen Neff
Rose Garden. Photo: Colleen Neff
The Rose Garden pergola and pathway underneath it have been closed to the public for many months due to safety concerns. Photo: Colleen Neff

Related:
Op-ed: Down the garden path with the Berkeley City Council (04.13.15)

Do you rely on Berkeleyside for your local news? You can support independent local journalism by becoming a Berkeleyside Member. You can choose either a monthly payment or a one-time contribution.

Tracey Taylor is co-founder of Berkeleyside and co-founder and editorial director of Cityside, the nonprofit parent to Berkeleyside and The Oaklandside. Before launching Berkeleyside, Tracey wrote for...