Donor's Gift Improves Murrieta Library Garden

A Murrieta community “angel” recently made a significant donation to the in the form of concrete, according to a news release.

Carol Carson, a longtime resident and one of the original founders of the Library, donated the materials and labor to replace the decomposed granite in the Library’s Garden of Verses with a beautiful rose-colored concrete, the news release stated.

This results in a more usable space for Library programs and community events, Library officials said.

The original plans for the Garden of Verses included concrete, but that was replaced with decomposed granite (DG) as a 'value engineering' strategy to keep construction costs within budget, according to Library Director Loretta McKinney.

"The DG was very messy and unattractive and made it difficult to have programs for the children and/or events with women wearing high-heels.

"Mrs. Carson and family friend Buck Kemmis, who is a professional construction support services contractor and who donated his time to manage the Library Garden project, are truly champions of the community and the Library for their generous donations to this project.

"In addition to Carson and Kemmis, Mike Mullins and Christian Miller of Del Rio Enterprise worked with Director of Building Safety Allen Brock and other City staff Jeff Cadien, Bob Kast and the Public Works crew to design and manage the project to meet City specifications.

"In addition to having a pleasant and very functional Community Room, the Library can now offer the Garden of Verses as a special place for local organizations and residents to hold meetings, recitals, and other functions. This is all possible because of one beautiful lady with a great heart—Carol Carson!”

Carson was recognized for her donation at an official ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Dec. 6 with then Mayor Randon Lane presenting Carson with a plaque in her honor, according to the news release.

The plaque is displayed above the fireplace located in the Garden of Verses, Library officials said.

For more information about renting the Library Community Room and Garden of Verses, call 951-304-BOOK (2665) or visit the Library’s webpage at Murrietalibrary.info.