The Garden story continues to unflold
The South Laguna Community Garden Park, begun in 2009 and created by volunteers with community donations, is a well-loved community asset to Laguna Beach. Several attempts by Garden supporters and the city to purchase the property for a permanent Garden Park have not been successful, so the August listing of the property for sale was met with enthusiasm and optimism.
The South Laguna Civic Association, the South Laguna Community Garden Park and the Laguna Beach Community Foundation, worked in good faith to produce an acceptable offer and fulfill the terms of the 30-day escrow.
The Garden buyers were ready, willing and able to close at the $2 million asking price due to a heartwarming outpouring of support during the quickly organized fundraising campaign.
The sale was slated to close escrow September 11, however with indications of fraud, the sale could not be completed. Fortunately, all community and city funds set aside for this purchase remained in safe accounts and were not released to the purported seller.
Since the disappointing news, contact was established with agents who handled transactions with the true owners to once again confirm our interest in purchasing the property. The owners continue to reject our offers.
South Laguna Civic Association President Greg O’Loughlin affirmed, “Our desire to purchase the Garden Park land for a permanent garden for the community and for future generations remains. We are not giving up.” Other options including the purchase of an alternative property are being explored. Tom Davis, Co-chair and Trustee of the Laguna Beach Community Foundation added, “The donated funds are safe in the Foundation’s bank account. Those contributions are tax deductible and will remain in the Garden acquisition account for a future purchase opportunity.” They will be invested in safe, income-producing accounts.
Garden advocate Ann Christoph emphasized, “Our team will continue to work with the City of Laguna Beach to secure a deal and preserve this unique and beautiful participatory park, Laguna’s only Community Garden.”
The Garden story continues to unflold
The South Laguna Community Garden Park, begun in 2009 and created by volunteers with community donations, is a well-loved community asset to Laguna Beach. Several attempts by Garden supporters and the city to purchase the property for a permanent Garden Park have not been successful, so the August listing of the property for sale was met with enthusiasm and optimism.
The South Laguna Civic Association, the South Laguna Community Garden Park and the Laguna Beach Community Foundation, worked in good faith to produce an acceptable offer and fulfill the terms of the 30-day escrow.
The Garden buyers were ready, willing and able to close at the $2 million asking price due to a heartwarming outpouring of support during the quickly organized fundraising campaign.
The sale was slated to close escrow September 11, however with indications of fraud, the sale could not be completed. Fortunately, all community and city funds set aside for this purchase remained in safe accounts and were not released to the purported seller.
Since the disappointing news, contact was established with agents who handled transactions with the true owners to once again confirm our interest in purchasing the property. The owners continue to reject our offers.
South Laguna Civic Association President Greg O’Loughlin affirmed, “Our desire to purchase the Garden Park land for a permanent garden for the community and for future generations remains. We are not giving up.” Other options including the purchase of an alternative property are being explored. Tom Davis, Co-chair and Trustee of the Laguna Beach Community Foundation added, “The donated funds are safe in the Foundation’s bank account. Those contributions are tax deductible and will remain in the Garden acquisition account for a future purchase opportunity.” They will be invested in safe, income-producing accounts.
Garden advocate Ann Christoph emphasized, “Our team will continue to work with the City of Laguna Beach to secure a deal and preserve this unique and beautiful participatory park, Laguna’s only Community Garden.”
Reach for the Stars!
Share the dream of days and years into the future
When growing flowers, vegetables and community
Continues to inspire and bring us together.
Reach for the Stars!
Share the dream of days and years into the future
When growing flowers, vegetables and community
Continues to inspire and bring us together.
Growing Gardens
Growing Friendships
Growing Community
A Community Garden Dream
Growing gardens, growing friendships, growing community.
South Laguna Community Garden Park is a fiscally sponsored project of the Laguna Beach Community Foundation (EIN # 20-6390272), 580 Broadway St # 204, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Your gift is deeply appreciated and tax deductible as a charitable contribution to the fullest extent allowed by law.
