Santa Barbara’s Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden Reopens with Accessibility Upgrades
Tracy Lehr
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Some people headed to Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden to check out the improvements on Labor Day.
Kim Holmquist has watched the progress while taking her daily walks.
“It is more beautiful now, and it is just fun to go out. All the little paths are tidy, and it’s nice to watch the ducks playing with each other. Some are batting each other and then swimming off together. It is really fun,” said Holmquist.
Volunteers have always tended to the park, and thanks to a $260,000 Community Development Block Grant, it is now more accessible.
People who use wheelchairs will have an easier time on paths that used to be uneven.
The area also has new railings and more places to sit.
The parkland was donated and is named after the daughter of Superior Oil Company founder William Myron Keck.
Alice Bertha Keck Park made the donation anonymously and remained unknown for a couple of years until a dedication followed her death in 1977.
The Fahnestocks recently moved to Santa Barbara and love visiting the garden.
“We noticed it was closed for a while, so I wasn’t sure what was going on. But we’re happy to see it open, and it’s just beautiful here. It reminds me of a European park—it’s just really tranquil,” said Susan Fahnestock.
“It’s nice to come here in the morning and see people walking their dogs. It’s just a really beautiful place, a great thing for the neighborhood and for the community,” said Don Fahnestock.
Visitors can also see restored native plants and flowers in bloom.
And volunteers who help at the garden several times a week—and on the first Saturday of every month—will be celebrated at a Volunteer Appreciation Day on Sept. 6.
Members of the public are welcome to join them and show their appreciation.
For more information visit https://sbparksandrec.santabarbaraca.gov