Save the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden

The Issue

A place of natural beauty and quiet retreat in the Los Angeles community of Bel-Air, the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden is modeled on the gardens of Kyoto. The beautiful hillside garden was designed by noted Japanese garden designer Nagao Sakurai in 1959 and constructed between 1959 and 1961. It is recognized as one of the finest examples of Japanese gardens in America and was donated to the University of California in 1964. 

Sadly, the garden is now closed to the public and its survival is threatened. In November 2011, UCLA announced plans to sell the garden, citing rising maintenance costs, deferred maintenance, and the lack of attendance due to limited parking. The garden was donated to UCLA by the Carter family with a promise that the garden would not be sold.

The garden was listed for sale in March 2012, after the University removed  valuable art objects that are integral to the design of the garden.

Please help us save the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden by signing this petition!

Supporters include:
The Garden Conservancy
Los Angeles Conservancy
California Preservation Foundation
California Garden and Landscape History Society
The Cultural Landscape Foundation

American Society of Landscape Architects

National Trust for Historic Preservation

North American Japanese Garden Association
American Public Gardens Association 
(partial list) 

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Save the Hannah Carter Japanese GardenPetition Starter
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Victory
This petition made change with 5,309 supporters!

The Issue

A place of natural beauty and quiet retreat in the Los Angeles community of Bel-Air, the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden is modeled on the gardens of Kyoto. The beautiful hillside garden was designed by noted Japanese garden designer Nagao Sakurai in 1959 and constructed between 1959 and 1961. It is recognized as one of the finest examples of Japanese gardens in America and was donated to the University of California in 1964. 

Sadly, the garden is now closed to the public and its survival is threatened. In November 2011, UCLA announced plans to sell the garden, citing rising maintenance costs, deferred maintenance, and the lack of attendance due to limited parking. The garden was donated to UCLA by the Carter family with a promise that the garden would not be sold.

The garden was listed for sale in March 2012, after the University removed  valuable art objects that are integral to the design of the garden.

Please help us save the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden by signing this petition!

Supporters include:
The Garden Conservancy
Los Angeles Conservancy
California Preservation Foundation
California Garden and Landscape History Society
The Cultural Landscape Foundation

American Society of Landscape Architects

National Trust for Historic Preservation

North American Japanese Garden Association
American Public Gardens Association 
(partial list) 

avatar of the starter
Save the Hannah Carter Japanese GardenPetition Starter
Media inquiries

Victory

This petition made change with 5,309 supporters!

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The Decision Makers

Regents of the University of California
Regents of the University of California
Responded
“The Regents and the President have received a large number of letters and e-mails from friends of the Garden who care deeply and passionately about its future. While they appreciate having your views on this matter and understand your concerns, they believe that proper actions are being taken by the campus, and that it would be inappropriate for the Regents or President to intervene in this campus matter. The Hannah Carter Japanese Garden is being sold because it has become clear that the vision for the garden that UC Regent Edward Carter had in 1964 when he made his gift could not be achieved. Circumstances have changed dramatically since that time, including public access, maintenance costs, and the research and educational purpose of the property. • Public Access - When they entered into agreement, Regent Carter and the campus did not realize that the property lacked the parking necessary to operate it as a public garden. In 1989, it was determined that the six spaces initially believed to be part of the Garden parcel did not belong to the University. For years, the adjacent landowner had allowed UCLA to use 3 spaces. However, the current arrangement provides UCLA with only shared access to two parking spaces on a month-to-month basis. In short, there is no parking available at the Garden site. Furthermore, street parking is not permitted on the road near the entrance to the Garden, and there are no sidewalks to provide safe access to the entrance. • Research and Educational Purpose - In 1993, following a review conducted every two years for all of their activities, the Dean of Life Sciences determined that “it has become clear through this process that the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden does not serve an instructional or research function for the Division.” • Maintenance costs - Regent Carter specifically provided that $500,000 from the sale of the Residence be set aside to maintain the Garden. (In contrast to the provisions for the endowed chairs, he did not state that the amount for the garden fund would increase if necessary. Any excess funds would be allocated at the discretion of the Chancellor, taking into account Regent Carter’s interests – but not prioritizing the Garden above other areas.) A $500,000 endowment would generate insufficient funding to maintain the garden. UCLA has spent more than $100,000 annually to maintain a garden that has not served a teaching or research purpose for more than 20 years. It is especially important to emphasize that the sale of the garden and the adjacent home are in keeping with Regent Carter’s philanthropic intent to benefit academic programs. As Regent Carter specified, proceeds from the sale of the property will be used to establish endowments to fund a range of professorships and support academic programs, ranging from the business and medical schools to a research center for 17th century European art. The funds will also be used to support campus priorities, chief among them student scholarships and fellowships. In all, it is anticipated that the sale of the home and garden will generate approximately $15 million to benefit academic programs and students. While everyone appreciates the garden’s history and serenity, significant cuts in state funding demand that campus resources be directed toward UCLA’s academic mission. We are aware that some press reports and internet blogs have mischaracterized the decision by the UCLA campus as a callous one that disregards donor intent. Chancellor Block sought to clarify these matters in an Op-Ed piece that can be found at the following address: http://today.ucla.edu/portal/ut/sale-of-hannah-carter-japanese-228686.aspx. We hope that this letter and Chancellor Block’s piece not only provide you with a more complete understanding of what has prompted the University’s decision to sell the Garden, but also assure you that the campus has taken steps to engage interested parties with the hope of preserving it. As you may have heard, the University has recently extended the bidding period by which prospective buyers can submit bids to August 15, 2012. Thank you again for taking the time to write with your concerns. ”
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block
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Petition created on January 31, 2012