Community Feedback Responses

Q. Why is additional parking needed? Why not a garage or no expansion at all?

A: Parking challenges have occurred for years, which can lead to overflow into nearby neighborhoods. Preliminary concepts explored landscape integrated surface parking rather than a garage, reflecting community feedback and the garden’s character. 

While the current conceptual plan and master planning process has ended, the City will continue to evaluate parking needs, design approaches, and neighborhood impacts before any future decisions are made.

Q. Will a new traffic study be done, especially for Nebraska Street and Corrine Drive?

A: Any future planning processes would include an updated traffic analysis to inform future transportation strategies.

Q. How will the plan protect surrounding neighborhoods from increased traffic, noise, and people? 

A: The goal of a future plan would be to better manage existing visitors and reduce current impacts on nearby neighborhoods. Future approaches should include strategies that reduce overflow parking, improve circulation, and strengthen event management, along with sound and lighting standards for neighborhood compatibility.

Q. Will the gardens use shuttles, remote parking, or multimodal strategies? 

A: Any decisions about shuttles, remote parking, drop‑off zones, or bike accommodation would be considered after updated analysis.

Q. Is Leu Gardens becoming an event center or adding an amphitheater? 

A: No. The vision for the future of the Gardens remains on improving management of existing, mission-aligned programming. The City has no plans to add an amphitheater or grow the Gardens into a large entertainment venue.

Q. Will events increase to pay for the project? 

A: No. The Gardens does not intend to increase the number of events as a funding strategy. Any future efforts would work to improve event quality, safety, sound management and better guest flow, not additional programming.

Q. How will noise be controlled, especially across the lake? 

A: As the city is reevaluating the needs of the Gardens, noise impacts will be considered with any future plans.  

This could include studies like acoustic analysis and sound mitigation strategies to inform speaker orientation, buffering, and operational limits. The aim is to reduce impacts from programs that already occur. 

Q. Why replace the current visitor center when it was recently renovated? 

A: While the current conceptual design and master planning process has ended, it is important to recognize that existing infrastructure and capacity may not meet today’s needs. The City will reassess the scale, timing, and approach for any future visitor center improvements, with accessibility, operations, and education in mind.

Q. What would a future visitor center include? 

A: If pursued through a future design process, a more accessible and welcoming entry could include ticketing, restrooms, education space, administrative areas, and a modest café, all aligned with the garden mission. These amenities would be evaluated through a design process and include opportunities for community input.

Q: Will guests need to pay admission to access the café? 

A: The café was a concept focused on serving Gardens visitors during operating hours and will be reevaluated during any future planning process and include opportunities for community input.

Q. How big will the café be? Is it grab and go or full service? 

A: A modest café, aligned with visitor needs, was the guiding concept. Specifics such as size and seating would be explored in any future planning process and include opportunities for community input.

Q. Why include a children’s garden? Is that too entertainment focused? 

A: The intent is for a children’s garden is to provide environmental education and nature‑based exploration. The City will reassess how a children’s garden could best support the mission and historic character before advancing any future plans.

Q. Is a splash pad included? Does it fit the historic character? 

A: If a water feature is considered in the future, it would be evaluated for educational value, cooling, conservation, and compatibility with the landscape.

Q. How will mature trees, including memorial trees, be preserved? 

A: Tree preservation is a core commitment. Detailed surveys and protection strategies would guide any future decisions about preservation, relocation, or replacement, subject to reevaluation findings.

Q. How will camellias and sensitive plant collections be protected? 

A: Sensitive collections remain a priority. Any future plans will include a study of light, air circulation, and horticultural infrastructure to support plant health.

Q. Will the project improve gardens that are in bad shape? 

A: Long term improvements to utilities, pathways, stormwater, and workspaces remain a priority.

Q. Why are new stormwater upgrades needed? 

A: Many components of the local and regional stormwater systems predate current environmental standards. Improving stormwater management remains an environmental priority. Scope, timing, and feasibility will be reassessed to ensure effective protection of Lake Rowena should future infrastructure projects advance.

Q. Where can I see the water quality conditions for Lake Rowena?  

A: Long term monitoring data is available through partners such as the Orange County Water Atlas.

Q. How will the boardwalk affect the lake? 

A: Any shoreline access or boardwalk concept would undergo environmental review and permitting. Staff will study these ideas further to continue to ensure ecological protection.

Q. How will mosquito impacts be addressed around retention features? 

A: Ecological design tools, such as vegetated shelves and improved circulation, would be considered in future plans, subject to updated analysis.

Q. Does the plan comply with the Gardens warranty deed? 

A: Yes. Compliance with the deed remains a requirement and will continue to guide future decisions.

Q. Does this plan honor the intentions of Mr. and Mrs. Leu? 

A: The goal is responsible stewardship of the botanical garden. We will continue to follow the Warranty Deed that serves as the guidelines on protecting the Gardens.

Q. What are the next steps to keeping the community involved? 

A: The City will continue to inform the community on any future plans for the Gardens.