Reviews for Compass Rose Gardens
April 10, 2015
I must bring an update to my previous review of the Compass Rose Gardens property, I happened to have the opportunity to be near Bodega bay on business, Monday. As it turned out, I had the whole afternoon free. I was so moved by the transformation of the beautiful gardens, I wanted to go and take some pictures to show my friends the stark contrast between the time of the wedding I mentioned, when the gardens were so lovely and now.
When I pulled up, it was a sight for sore eyes. I could see that someone had made huge and positive changes. I’d walked on to the property as I’d done more than a month earlier without having to dodge and duck reclusive branches, thorns or weeds. A strapping, handsome man was on the property, working away. I could see that he’d cleared much of the overgrowth throughout, removed much of the dead foliage that had been choked out I had seen on the property on my previous visit. The man was friendly, introduced himself as Mark, said he’d been hired by the owner to to clean-up the property and restore the gardens, that the project was moving along successfully and should be as it was. He was clearly doing just that. I shook his hand and thanked him, took a couple of photos and was on my way.
As I walked to my car resolved to contact the owner and make that reservation, I turned to take one more look, I could clearly see the outline of that beautiful, magical place I’d so enjoyed from years back. I hate to sound like a big baby, but it honestly brought tear to my eyes. I guess it mattered more than I realized that in this world of global warming, dying oceans, melting polar Ice caps, oil spills, too much war and massive blight; did this beautiful place have to go too. No! someone is saving it. Cheers
*I gave Compass Rose Garden's a five star review because I Trust and Believe That Strong, Hardworking and Caring Man I saw and met named Mark will see it through to the great place that it once was. I could see it in his work and in what he had done. That man knows what he is doing!
March 1, 2015
I was stunned to see the condition of the Compass Rose Gardens, a once gorgeous assortment of hidden and mysterious garden scenes bared the signs of years of neglect, the historic and once famous gazebo a pinnacle piece amidst the beautiful gardens, a ruins, the path to it boarded from access. The mysterious gardens with their many carefully manicured florals which so beautifully accented the natural native forest choked out by massive overgrowth of the non-native vines. The buildings look beyond repair.
Unable to get a response from what I realize now is an abandoned website, dated 2005, I decided to take a drive out to the Gardens this past weekend. I was first at the gardens several years back when my best friend was married there, I knew it would be the perfect setting for a family reunion I’ve been putting together for my mother who is still recovering from the loss of our father in recent years, I really believed a few days visit to those magical gardens would have afforded her some real comfort and healing. She has always enjoyed beautiful gardens.
Does anyone know what may have happened to this property and business? Did the property sell? Does anyone know why it has been let go for so long and the building etc. allowed to become in such disrepair?