Libbey Bowl Site Conservation

In 2011, the Hind Foundation granted $65,000 to the Ojai Music Festival toward the restoration and improvement of the Libbey Bowl, a beautiful outdoor venue and home of the world-renowned Ojai Music Festival. This site conservation project was part of a $3 million, three-year effort to rebuild the dilapidated structure and site, facilitating conservation of the site’s natural environment throughout construction.

The Libbey Bowl sits within Libbey Park and contains some of Ojai’s most important trees and a barranca, a narrow, winding river gorge. In order to preserve this beautiful environment, the project was designed around existing native trees and restoring the barranca. Invasive, non-native species were removed, and drought-resistant natives were planted. Additionally, a comprehensive water management plan was developed and implemented.

Noteworthy Results

• Water Management
  A natural bowl that collects water for the surrounding watershed, the site’s inefficient drainage contributed to the exponential deterioration of the historic Bowl structure. A new comprehensive water management plan ensures protection for both the new construction as well as the surrounding watershed.

• History Preserved
  The most famous and revered tree in Ventura County resides in Libbey Bowl, the "Wedding Tree." This sycamore was planted by the Chumash Indians and later used to bless marriage ceremonies by couples walking under its arch. A special stacked retaining wall system was incorporated into the project design, ensuring the tree is protected.

• Sourced Locally
  Local, native tree specimens were secured from a variety of local sources.