Garden viewpoint to bear Futrell's name; ceremony on Sunday will honor late planning commissioner

By Craig TenbroeckVISTA -- Board members with the Alta Vista Gardens, Vista's budding botanical retreat, will dedicate a prime viewing area Sunday to John Futrell, their soft-spoken former president who died last month after a battle with esophageal cancer.

The picturesque spot is west of the hilltop garden house in Brengle Terrace Park. "We think it's ideal," said John Aguilera, a friend who served with Futrell on the city's Planning Commission and the Alta Vista Garden board. "Not only does it overlook the gardens but also it overlooks the entire city of Vista, which he was a big part of. On a clear day, you can see the ocean."

The public is invited to a tree-planting ceremony in Futrell's memory at 6 p.m. Sunday at the park, 1270 Vale Terrace Drive. Friends and colleagues are encouraged to offer words of remembrance, said Ron Holloway, president of the Alta Vista Garden board. "He'd be a little bit embarrassed," Aguilera said. "But I think he'd be happy that we were doing this at the gardens, because that was his latest passion."

Alta Vista Gardens, though still in the early stages of development, is envisioned as a collection of walking paths, themed garden spaces and gathering spots on 13 acres of city-owned land.
Donations from the city, friends and family will pay for the trees that will be planted in Futrell's honor, including a goldenrain tree, which is an ornamental tree native to eastern Asia, and two crape myrtles, a type of evergreen shrub. Both species were Futrell favorites, Holloway said.
A bench will be installed at a later date.
Futrell, who retired to Vista in 1994, spoke with a soft Louisiana accent but left a big impression in this city of 94,000. He aspired to be a city councilman and was running a methodical campaign for the 2006 election, but declining health forced him to cut his bid short.
As an active volunteer on several commissions, committees and neighborhood associations, he established a long list of community ties. His annual summer barbecues drew dozens of friends and well-wishers.
During his four years on the Alta Vista Garden board, including two as president, Futrell was instrumental in driving the ambitious project forward, Aguilera said.
"It was kind of a discussion party before that," Aguilera said. "With John, we actually got things done."
Last year, the City Council unanimously approved a five-year master plan for Alta Vista Gardens. Visitors can already study some young plants in a reception garden and an Australian garden, and the board hopes to complete two more gardens in 2007, Holloway said.
The nonprofit organization has more than 100 dues-paying members of the gardens and 13 people on the board of directors.