Make note of the lions holding up the planter in the forecourt. Count the cedar trees in the driveway. Observe the cypress trees in Cypress Lane. These clues and more played an important role in “The Great Outdoors” at Greystone scavenger hunt, one of many activities taking place at Greystone Mansion and Gardens on Sept. 21.
Inspired by Greystone’s 50-year anniversary of becoming a public park in 2021, the event paid tribute to the property’s legacy by highlighting its beauty, said Sara Scrimshaw, historic site venue coordinator for the city of Beverly Hills.
“It’s really a moment to stop and reflect on this amazing treasure that we have in Beverly Hills,” she said.
As visitors arrived at the top of Greystone, volunteers and city employees introduced the event and the activities scheduled from 11 a.m. through 4 p.m., culminating with a live guitar performance by the reflection pond. Guests could partake in multiple activities highlighting nature and art, including face painting, a custom poem station, cyanotype making by the willow pond and water conservation information sessions in the courtyard.
At the Demonstration Garden, George Pessin, Greystone’s recreation specialist and master gardener, helped educate community members on different plants and vegetables. Those who stopped by the garden could also take home a sapling to plant of different farmer’s market staples, such as lettuce, arugula, dill or broccoli, among others.
Visitors could also collect loose tea leaves made using the garden’s different plants.
Pessin said he hoped the event would help to increase activity for community volunteers to come help tend to the garden, but that he was also thrilled to see tourists stop by as well, as tour buses unloaded and dropped off passengers to tour Greystone and get surprised by the event playing out in front of them.
“I love that we get people from all over,” Pessin told the Courier. “The more diverse we are, the better.”
In the courtyard, participants could get a free poem written for them by stopping by a booth with Brian Sonia-Wallace, the former city poet laureate of West Hollywood.
Sonia-Wallace spent several minutes with each of his patrons, asking them questions about their lives, what they loved about nature and their goals. A few moments later, he stamped the poem crafted on a typewriter and read his work to his subject.
Sonia-Wallace, a Westside resident, said writing in Greystone was an experience he wouldn’t forget.
“It’s such a scenic space,” he said. “I’ll take a break and go for a wander around the grounds, and it refreshes everything.”
The aforementioned scavenger hunt also took centerstage, as once participants completed the riddle, they could turn their form in for a gift. The answer being “The Rolling Greystones” to the question: “What is our favorite band?”
The activity was popular with families and large groups. Mike Fogg, a local community member, said the event, and in particular the scavenger hunt, gave him a reason to bring his children out to explore Greystone.
“I hope it’s always something that we have as an option to do,” Fogg said. “It’s such a unique place to visit, and I’ve never seen any place like this anywhere else.”
The appreciation of the property was not just taken on by locals.
Dylan Mullinax and Rachel Jacobs from Riverside said they stopped by on the way to sightseeing opportunities across Los Angeles.
While they said they didn’t know there was an event Saturday, their experience was amplified by the contrast of Greystone and the rest of the region.
“It’s a nice change from the city,” Jacobs said. “It’s pretty crazy coming from all the packed restaurants and houses just to an open property like this. It’s a good change. It feels more like you’re in nature.”
