Phoenix -- Griego Garden, The

Located along historic North Central Avenue in Phoenix, Arizona, the Griego Garden occupies a one-acre parcel in Orangewood Estates, one of the city's earliest planned residential neighborhoods. Developed in 1895 by William J. Murphy, the area was made possible by the completion of the Arizona Canal, which brought Salt River water to the arid desert. Inspired in part by ancient Huhugam irrigation systems dating back over 800 years, Murphy envisioned a prestigious enclave of 10- to 20-acre citrus estates shaded by eucalyptus, ash, olive, and palm trees. He also established Murphy's Bridle Path, a tree-lined trail still preserved today as a historic city park. The Griego property, built in 1932 and acquired by Lenni and Robert Griego in 1975, had fallen into disrepair after years of vacancy. Rows of dead citrus trees from the original plantings surrounded the abandoned home. Over the past five decades, the owners have revitalized the site, restoring Salt River Project flood irrigation, adding a tennis court and pool, and gradually evolving the garden from a child-friendly yard into a tranquil retreat. The original eucalyptus and ash trees remain, alongside new plantings of hedges, annuals, and later, drought-tolerant cactus and desert flora. A lush green front lawn, made possible by affordable biweekly flood irrigation, remains a defining feature of the property. Berms retain water and deeply soak the surrounding trees. In recent years, many shrubs and palms have been replaced with low-water-use desert plants, blending the legacy of Murphy's lush garden vision with the realities of the Sonoran Desert. The Griego Garden stands as a private oasis and a living tribute to Phoenix's layered history—one shaped by ancient innovation, pioneering development, and ongoing adaptation to place. Persons associated with the garden's design: Lenni and Robert Griego (owners and designers/planters, 1975- ).