Master Gardeners propose demonstration garden at Loomis library; $100k-plus build, PCWA rebate

Karen Covey, project lead for the UC Master Gardeners of Placer County, told the Loomis Planning Commission she and volunteers have an MOU with the town to convert about 11,000 square feet of turf beside the Loomis library into a demonstration garden to teach water-wise and pollinator-friendly landscaping.

The garden design includes ADA-accessible compacted decomposed granite paths, demonstration beds (including raised and straw-bale methods), two rain gardens with swales for stormwater capture, a small orchard and a meeting area with a small fountain intended to support birds and pollinators. Covey said the MOU is five years with a possible five-year extension and prohibits permanent structures; if the partnership ends the Master Gardeners are responsible for restoring the site to its prior condition.

Covey said the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) is a major sponsor: PCWA has offered roughly $10,000 in turf-removal and irrigation rebates, is donating irrigation equipment and outreach support, and the Master Gardeners have secured donations of many plants and grants (including from the Xerces Society) to reduce plant costs. "We are a volunteer nonprofit organization under the umbrella of the University of California," Covey said, describing the group's education mission.

Commissioners questioned operations, funding and durability: when asked who would manage day-to-day maintenance, Covey said the Master Gardeners will finalize maintenance and open/close procedures and assume responsibility for upkeep and vandalism response. She acknowledged a project-cost increase when the work was classified as public works requiring prevailing wage labor; she estimated total construction and infrastructure costs at about $100,000 to $110,000 but said many plants and trees will be donated.

On scheduling, Covey said permits are being filed and the contract is pending University of California approval; the group is targeting a September 19 groundbreaking and expects 4–8 weeks for infrastructure work with planting planned for late October to early November. She noted the garden will generally be open during library hours and that no new lighting is planned. The commission heard questions about fencing (a 7-foot welded-wire deer fence with metal posts set in ground sleeves, not concrete) and signage; Covey said the plan includes interpretive signs with plant IDs and QR codes linking to resources.

The commission did not take action on the presentation; commissioners and staff encouraged outreach and noted fundraising efforts including a "Buy a Brick" campaign and a proposed mural for the garden shed (artist bid estimated at about $1,500). The project will proceed through required permits and UC contracting before construction begins.