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Gardening

Historical mugshot of Richard Franseen, Alcatraz Inmate and gardener.
Stories

Incarcerated Gardeners: Richard Franseen

Richard Franseen was sentenced to Alcatraz from 1937 to 1946 for counterfeiting. By 1940, he was assigned to yard duties, tending to a greenhouse and a little garden.
Close up photo of a peach colored rose 'Buff Beauty' from the Historic Gardens of Alcatraz
Parks

Roses of Alcatraz Historic Gardens

Resident families introduced roses to Alcatraz during the military era, between 1850 and 1934. Surprisingly, roses thrived under these conditions and soon filled Alcatraz’s first gardens.

Rose escapes from Alcatraz

BBC

The Bardou Job rose has come back to Welsh soil after an escape from the legendary island of Alcatraz.

A historical photo of an incarcerated gardener watering plants in the gardens of Alcatraz.
Parks

Alcatraz Incarcerated Gardeners

Learn about the stories of Alcatraz Island's incarcerated gardeners.
Flowers in bloom at Alcatraz Historic Gardens
Our Work

Alcatraz Historic Gardens Landscape Preservation Planning

Find out the story behind the preservation of the Alcatraz Historic Gardens.
An Alcatraz incarcerated gardener stands in Officers' Row
Our Work

History of Gardening on Alcatraz Island

Discover the fascinating history of the Gardens of Alcatraz.
A white-lined sphinx moth gathers pollen from a black sage plant
Events

Black Point Historic Gardens - Pollinator Week Program

Black Point Meeting Location
Join us for a special Pollinator Week program at Black Point! We'll spend time maintaining our native wildflower gardens, a pollinator haven, and explore the ways poetry intersects with and is inspired by nature.
A white-lined sphinx moth gathers pollen from a black sage plant
Events

Black Point Historic Gardens - Pollinator Week Program

Black Point Meeting Location
Join us for a special Pollinator Week program at Black Point! Spend the day getting to know some of our most charismatic pollinators and the plants that support them in the GGNRA.
A festive Passover image
Events

Passover in the Poppies

Black Point Meeting Location
Join us for a day of land stewardship, art, and nosh surrounded by blooming CA Poppies at the Black Point historic gardens on Sunday April 2–the last weekend before Passover begins.
volunteer; MLK Day
Events

GGNRA 50th Anniversary - Sunday Volunteer Events

Mount Tamalpais - Homestead Valley - Lattie Lane Gate
The GGNRA is turning 50 years old on October 27, 2022! Help us celebrate the 50th anniversary by rolling up your sleeves and giving the parks some TLC!