A parcel hosting the South Laguna Community Garden Park was listed for $5 million on Friday, throwing the future of a beloved watering hole into doubt.
Since 2009, the use of the 7,522-square-foot property has been donated by the overseas property owner.
“We are working with the realtors involved to arrange a purchase that will secure the land for a permanent Community Garden Park. We are pleased that we now have a willing seller, and an avenue to communicate with the owner of the Garden Park land,” community garden spokesperson Ann Christoph wrote in an email Saturday.
In May, the City Council unanimously voted to maintain a $500,000 pledge toward the purchase of the land at Coast Highway and Eagle Rock Way, but only if community members can raise the rest of the asking price.
Taryn Scali of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Studio City is the listing agent. The property last sold for $1.2 million in November 2013. Scali didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday.
The property is in the South Laguna Village Commercial Area Zone, which is intended to serve the commercial needs of residents with offices on the second floor and street-level retail encouraged, according to city law. State fire officials have drawn the parcel into a very high fire hazard severity zone.
Losing the community garden would be devastating for many Laguna Beach residents who came to rely on it as a peaceful oasis to garden and rest during the pandemic. The park annually hosts the Spring Fling community potluck festival where neighbors meet and enjoy live music.
The Community Garden welcomes donations to help fund the land acquisition. These are tax-deductible contributions. For more information visit southlaguna.org/garden or send checks to South Laguna Community Garden Park c/o South Laguna Civic Association, P.O. Box 9668, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Like these gardeners don’t have the money to hoe their own plot at home? Another holier than thou green scam to use for free what some one else owns. Typical of Laguna self-entitled lazy bones who think community gardening is a working noble cause that a $5 million deal should subsidize.