The Gardens at Heather Farm is an independent nonprofit organization operating a free public garden, education center and special event venue on 6.5 picturesque acres in the heart of Walnut Creek, CA.
The vision of a family focused and educational garden started in 1968 when founders recognized not only the beauty of the rolling hillside in Walnut Creek’s Ygnacio Valley, but also a need in the community to bring focus back to nature and make it accessible to all. The Gardens today reflect the unified efforts of those who have (and still are) investing their time, talents, and financial resources to make this community all it can be.
A Certified Wildlife Habitat and Certified Green Business, The Gardens at Heather Farm (GHF) provides six acres of gardens for public enjoyment and educational programs for youth and adults. A qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, GHF is self-supporting through memberships, fundraisers, grants, private donations, facility rentals and program fees. It is through community support and involvement by both organizations and individuals that we are able to pursue our mission. Thank you!
Our Mission
The Gardens at Heather Farm enriches the community through the beauty and environmental stewardship of our gardens, provides educational programs for adults and children, and offer venues for social and cultural events.
Support our mission by making a donation today.
Our History
A Community Legacy
The Gardens at Heather Farm embraces a rolling hillside in Walnut Creek’s Ygnacio Valley. Residing on six acres adjoining the City of Walnut Creek’s Heather Farm Community Park, the site offers sweeping views of majestic Mount Diablo and myriad of meandering paths full of plants and local wildlife. A Certified Wildlife Habitat and Certified Green Business, The Garden’s mission is to enrich the community through the beauty and environmental stewardship of our gardens while providing educational programs and a variety of venues for social and cultural events.
The history of The Gardens at Heather Farm spans several decades and marks the legacy of countless community supporters over the years. A vision in 1968, the founding committee incorporated their emerging group in 1971, obtained tax exempt status as a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1972, and got busy raising funds to develop the garden areas and to construct the building, dedicated in 1983 as the Heather Farm Garden Center Building and renamed in 1999 as The Howard Center. Today, this facility houses office space for the organization, a classroom and a large banquet hall used for meetings and special events. The Gardens today reflects the unified efforts of those who have and still are investing their time, talents and financial resources. As a small, independent nonprofit, The Gardens operates with a limited team of full- and part-time staff members and relies greatly on the support and participation of dedicated volunteers.
Fun fact: The Gardens at Heather Farm, along with the adjacent community park, carries the name in honor of the original ranch formerly located at this site and the ranch owner, John Marchbank’s prized race horse, King Heather.
Board of Directors
President
Lisa Arellanes
Co-Vice Presidents
Patricia Niven/Lori Legler
Treasurer
Lisa Arellanes
Secretary
Joanne Howard
Past President
Carole Wynstra
Directors
Carla Otterson
Cynthia Graves
