The Graduation of the Gardens of Alcatraz

Alcatraz’s historic but long-neglected gardens are once again lush and colorful, and thriving under local management.

Since 2003, the Garden Conservancy has led efforts to rehabilitate the Gardens of Alcatraz, working in partnership with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (Parks Conservancy) and the National Park Service. The restored gardens now have “graduated” and are now under the stewardship of the Parks Conservancy.

Although roles have changed, the organizations continue to work together. The Garden Conservancy is overseeing the completion of baseline documentation of the gardens, which will serve as a guideline for ongoing maintenance and preservation of the gardens. The Garden Conservancy also continues to assist the Parks Conservancy with existing donor relations and to serve in a general advisory capacity. The Parks Conservancy is assuming management of the gardens, including responsibility for staffing, publicity, interpretation, and educational programs, and will preserve the Gardens of Alcatraz in accordance with the guidelines established in the baseline documentation.

The Gardens of Alcatraz are a wonderful example of the Garden Conservancy’s mission in action–saving and sharing an outstanding American garden for the education and inspiration of the public.

For more information and a timeline of the ten-year project, visit our Gardens of Alcatraz page. Click here to read the Conservancy's full Alcatraz Press Release.