Paradise Or Parking Lot? Community Speaks Out For Local Nursery

LAKE FOREST, CA —Green Thumb Nursery, located on Bridger Road in Lake Forest, is a family business with a tradition of providing quality plants and customer service for their local clientele. That support became overwhelming when over 130 Green Thumb shoppers voiced their support of the business in the face of a potential Caltrans freeway expansion nightmare.

According to residents, Green Thumb Nursery teaches children about the environment, planting, and things you cannot learn at the big box home construction stores.

Weigh in your response by emailing: D12.ElToro@dot.ca.gov

President Bud Bergquist spoke out on the history of the nursery and its long legacy to the community. "We started with eight employees, and now we have 60 relying upon us for their livelihood, some have been with us for 20 years or more," he said. "We recycle water, and we don't produce toxic waste, we built a business with integrity and set an example for our customers."

CalTrans, with OCTA advising, wants to reconfigure the on and off ramps, in conjunction with Caltrans. A flyover option would destroy access to businesses, according to the nursery.

"My son has been raised at Comic Quest, and though no one talked about that, that business would also be greatly missed," one Nella Bates, a longtime Lake Forest resident said. "I buy my Christmas tree every year at Green Thumb. Please support (Option 4) to help them stay in the community."

Alternative four would develop a collector-distributor road and hook ramps. Moreover, the option would allow for access to businesses, such as the nursery, who now feels the support not just of their customers, but also the city of Lake Forest city council.

"Thank you to everyone who came out to speak on our behalf," a spokesperson for the nursery said over social media. After hearing numerous supporters share their three minutes of commentary on why the Bridger Road business is vital to the community, the city council heard their voters loud and clear, voting to support Option 4, that would preserve the Bridger Road businesses.

Still, that decision remains ultimately in the hands of the OCTA and Caltrans.
Public comments are still wanted in the development of a collector road to be built in the city of Lake Forest at the I-5, El Toro Interchange.

"Caltrans and OCTA are the lead agencies on the project, but the City will write a letter expressing its desired alignment," a City of Lake Forest spokesman said. "After hearing from numerous speakers, the City Council selected what has been identified as Option 4 because it preserves the businesses on Bridger Road."

The other potential option features a flyover that would have forced the closure of the businesses along Bridger, including the popular nursery.

"The unanimous vote for option 4 came after more than a dozen public speakers, including Green Thumb Nursery President Bud Bergquist, urged the Council to reject the flyover," Jonathon Volzke, senior communications and marking analyst of the City of Lake Forest told Patch. "Option 4 also provides more relief from traffic congestion."

Orange County Transit Authority and Caltrans will ultimately make the decision but will take the council's request under advisement. Public comments will be accepted until May 20, Patch was told.

The council discussed the importance of improving the interchange, initially included in the 2006 Measure M sales tax initiative because studies show motorists avoid the interchange, creating more traffic at the Lake Forest Drive interchange and on Rockfield Boulevard, Volzke said.

At the meeting, the council members present stressed the importance of protecting Lake Forest businesses.

Green Thumb has been in business on Bridger since 1965.

Construction is not expected to begin before 2028.

"It is important to note that any feedback/comment regarding the proposed build alternatives will need to be provided to Caltrans directly and in writing by either email or mail [...] prior to the closing of the public review period (5 p.m. May 20, 2019).

This is the time in which public input is most important and has the potential to impact the project."

Email comments to: D12.ElToro@dot.ca.gov

Caltrans is accepting public comments on the project until May 20.