 | | | From left: Anna Lum, MGC President; Edric Kwan, Public Works Director/Town Engineer; Rena Munson; Ruben Ochoa, Maintenance Leader; Penny Walwark; Kyle Salvin, Public Works Maintenance Manager; Ute Kelley; Connie Couts; Carolyn Westoff; Gisela Volkmer and Beverly Nelson. Photo Karin Biasotti | | | | | | The Moraga Garden Club recently honored Ruben Ochoa, Moraga Parks Maintenance Leader, for all the support and assistance he has provided. A framed plaque was awarded to him to show their appreciation.
MGC maintains garden spots around Moraga, which includes the Moraga Commons, the Hacienda Perennial Garden, the Library Urn and the Urns on Country Club Drive.
Carolyn Westoff, who spearheaded the planting of the urns on Country Club Drive, stated "Ruben is a Gem! Moraga is lucky to have such a dedicated and conscientious employee. The restoration of the historic urns on Country Club Drive wouldn't have been possible without his enthusiasm for the project. He dug out the old, compacted soil, repaired the irrigation and filled the urns with composted soil from the Hacienda. All was made ready for the Garden Club to plant and have fun. I know he loves his job and takes great pride in his work."
Rena Munson, chairman of the Hacienda Perennial Garden, stated: "We took over the care of the Hacienda perennial garden in 2016 after a year of extreme drought and many stressed out plants. After consulting with Ruben, he and his crew removed several overgrown, diseased bushes, wild grasses and trimmed back the rambling invasive ivy. The island between the lawn and our garden was cleared of many volunteer oaks, and other weedy plants, in order to make our garden more visible from the lawn area and the Hacienda. Large boulders were relocated, and a beautiful antique birdbath was rescued from a hidden obscure place on the grounds.
"While adding new soil in existing larger flowerbeds around the grounds, Ruben shared some of it with us as well as a few impatiens being planted in the fountain and by the long wall framing the lawn. The ongoing project is to make the MGC perennial garden a more important part of the greater park. With the help of Ruben and his team we will eventually have another corner at the Hacienda to sit and enjoy our beautiful Hacienda de las Flores."
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA