The Campbell Bridge at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden will receive a facelift starting this summer, thanks to generous donations from the local community toward the “Building Bridges” fundraiser. Surpassing hopes of reaching the $80,000 goal, the Botanic Garden raised $80,465 from both a “Building Bridges” event that took place in March and numerous gifts that were received prior to the fundraiser.
The historic bridge, originally built in 1941, tragically burned in the Jesusita fire of 2009. Firefighters and other emergency personnel heroically worked to save the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden during the voracious fire that swept through Mission Canyon, and succeeded in saving much of the plant life. Unfortunately, Campbell Bridge was lost during the natural disaster—and so was an important path connecting the two sides of the Garden.
Plans for the bridge’s renovation seek to reproduce Campbell Bridge’s original appearance, which have almost completed the permit process. Construction on the beloved community landmark is expected to begin in August with a groundbreaking ceremony after the end of the bird-nesting season. The SBBG will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony sometime in October or November, depending on the estimated date of completion.
Campbell Bridge was originally constructed after Ina Therese Campbell donated funds in the hopes that everyone who wanted to could explore the Garden’s entirety, including individuals who were unable to cross the creek by boulders. Designed by Lockwood de Forest, Jr., the bridge has become a beloved local icon and a designated historic landmark by the County of Santa Barbara.
To learn more about the rebuilding of Campbell Bridge or to donate to help preserve the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for future generations, visit www.sbbg.org.
–Kristin Crosier
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