FEBRUARY 2017 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM 13 Blake Garden adds to the naturalistic draw. Owned by U.C. Berkeley, the 10.6-acre public garden serves as a landscape laboratory for the university’s Landscape Architecture Department. Residents and visitors can come and enjoy a nice meditative walk through 5 distinct gardens designed and built by professors and students from U.C. Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design. It’s all about connecting with nature here in Kensington. As president of the Kensington Improvement Club, currently at about 400 members, Caronna meets with a board to discuss how to make Kensington an even better place in terms of coordinating services needed from the county, volunteering to provide trash receptacles in the common areas, organize pathway cleanings, planting in public spaces, and the like. Unlike many other unincorporated communities where the county is in charge of everything, Kensington is a bit more independent in that it maintains its own police department, parks and recreation program, and refuse contracts, which are controlled by the Kensington Police Protection and Community Services District. And then the Kensington Fire Protection District is in contract with the City of El Cerrito to provide fire prevention, suppression, and emergency services. The District owns two fire engines, one of which is specifically engineered for some of the steeper, narrower streets of Kensington. Kensington is a great example of how a community should function. If you’re looking for a nice place to raise a family, couldn’t hurt to come check it out. There’s also plenty of Airbnb properties to rent for a quiet staycation weekend getaway to enjoy the views and the hiking trails. Caronna recommends getting breakfast (and biscuits) at Inn Kensington, as people from all over the Bay flock there for breakfast, and also check out their awesome Farmer’s Market every Sunday morning. To read up on on all that is Kensington, and to maybe start planning a visit, head to kensingtoncalifornia.org or call (510) 526-4141.
Contra Costa Marketplace - Feb 2017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above