Blake Garden, Botanical garden in Kensington, California, US.
Blake Garden is a botanical garden in the Kensington neighborhood, just north of Berkeley, California. The grounds slope across a hillside, crossed by two small water courses, and include a formal section with a reflecting pool as well as areas planted with species from Mediterranean-type climates.
The property was laid out in 1924 as part of the Blake family estate, with the garden designed by landscape architect Mabel Symmes. UC Berkeley took ownership in 1957 and repurposed it as a teaching resource for its College of Environmental Design.
The garden belongs to UC Berkeley and is actively used by landscape architecture students as an outdoor learning space. On many days, you can see small groups working among the beds and paths as part of their coursework.
The garden sits on Rincon Road in Kensington and is free to enter. Opening hours shift depending on the time of year, so it is worth checking before you go.
A Spanish-style mansion with 27 rooms stands on the property and served as the official residence of the University of California President from 1967 to 2008. The building is no longer used as a residence, but it remains visible from several points within the garden.
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