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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Quail Botanical Gardens Receives $500,000 Grant Toward Growth of Children’s Garden -Climbable Tree House to be developed in new Hamilton Children’s Garden

ENCINITAS, CA – Nov. 12, 2008 – Quail Botanical Gardens received a generous $500,000 grant from the Leichtag Family Foundation in support of its new one-acre Hamilton Children’s Garden, set to open in the Summer of 2009. With this generous grant, Quail Botanical Gardens has successfully raised $3.7 million for the first phase of a 4.5-acre expansion. “Toni’s Tree House”, named after Toni Leichtag, wife of philanthropist Lee Leichtag, will provide a special place for children to experience nature in a one-of-a-kind “climbable” tree, rising more than 20 feet high and blending manmade materials with living plants. The tree house is an integral part of the Hamilton Children’s Garden, set to become the largest children’s garden on the West Coast.

“We are very grateful for Frances Hamilton White’s leadership in making this project a reality. We truly believe that the Hamilton Children’s Garden will be a profoundly important regional resource and a legacy for generations to come,” said James S. Farley, President of the Leichtag Family Foundation. “If we can encourage the funding and completion of the new Children’s Garden through this contribution, we will be poised to transform the public garden movement as we know it. With our grant, Quail Botanical Gardens has arrived at the ‘end’ of the beginning,” he said.

Through thoughtful design and creative programming, the new Children’s Garden will provide a nurturing environment for children and families to explore the natural world. The new Children’s Garden will also include the Amazing Sundial Garden, the Elephant Foot Tree Forest, Garden Rhythms, Art’s Garden, the Spell and Smell Garden, the Quiet Escape, Rock Hoppers, Quail Haven, Earth Builders, a Mountain Stream and Meander, Incredible Edibles, and Birds and Butterflies.

“We are very grateful to the Leichtag Family Foundation for their support of our biggest expansion ever,” said Julian Duval, CEO of Quail Botanical Gardens. “Considering these challenging economic times, we are thrilled to receive this generous grant,” Duval said. “Quail Botanical Gardens will inspire the environmental stewards of tomorrow and through the help of the Leichtag Family Foundation, we are able to surpass our original fundraising goal for the first phase of expansion and either enrich the existing exhibits or consider some venues thought to be part of the second phase,” he explained.

The Leichtag Family Foundation is well known throughout the community for its contributions, which include Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, UCSD, Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, the Seacrest Retirement Community Center in Encinitas, San Marcos Unified School District’s Pace Promise, and many more.

The Hamilton Children’s Garden is still offering commemorative naming opportunities for many special areas within the garden. In addition, Quail Botanical Gardens also invites community members to participate in its Commemorative Tile Program. Starting at $250, Commemorative Tiles pay a lasting tribute to a loved one by having their name etched in an attractive tile that will be part of the “Sitting Walls” located in high-traffic areas of the new Children’s Garden. This is a unique opportunity to be forever linked with the Garden’s vision to inspire the connection between people and nature. Larger tiles can also be purchased for $500 and $1,000. Please contact Tracie Barham at 760-436-3036 x. 216 or TBarham@qbgardens.org for more information on the Commemorative Tile Program.

Additional notable donations came from Frances Hamilton White, Arch Owen, County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price and the County of San Diego, Tony and Sue Godfrey, Tom and Cathy Staver, Ron and Jo Moss, Bill Gish, and Martin and Carol Dickinson & The Donald C. and Elizabeth Dickinson Foundation.

About Quail Botanical Gardens
Set on 30 acres in north coastal San Diego County, Quail Botanical Gardens’ mission is to inspire people of all ages to connect with plants and nature. By combining a variety of gardens with more than 3,500 plants, trails and native habitat, Quail Botanical Gardens provides an oasis of peace and tranquility within a growing city. Quail Botanical Gardens’ is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information on future events and educational programs, visit www.qbgardens.org.