Practical and purposeful items like straight pathways and a historic building are out, zig-zagging trails and demolished buildings are in.
The path, which had been straight and wide enough to drive a car on, now meanders and is narrower. The small metal posts and twine marking the path were replaced by thick redwood posts and bulky rope. City workers added a drainage system to combat erosion.
Brokaw Hall, dating back to 1914 and formerly part of the Del Monte Military Academy, was considered unsafe and needed to be torn down, Zimmer said. It was dismantled in June.
“Brokaw Hall is gone and is becoming the hall of flowers,” said volunteer Bob Pacelli. He and other volunteers plan to add 75 plants to the sanctuary before the ceremony, he said.
He is part of a project to add eight new genera of plants. The plants have been used in the sanctuary throughout the years, but not recently, said Frances Grate, a Pacific Grove gardener who is involved in the project.
The long-term goal is to plant permanent flowers that the butterflies can use instead of relying on temporary plants brought to the park each year.
