What’s the Origin Story of This Fence on Hot Springs Road?

What’s the origin story of this unique fence on Hot Springs Road? It appears to be made of stacked eucalyptus with an ingenious steel frame. Perhaps the logs came from the property…?—D.

I’ve always thought of that fence—at the corner of Hot Springs Road and Sycamore Canyon Road—as a gift to the community, because it certainly didn’t need to be so beautiful. Not everyone agreed, however, when construction on it started in 2016: “We actually got hate mail at first,” says Katherine Malkin, who owns the property. “People would say that we should leave, that we don’t know what the community is about. But for the most part, people have liked it.” Indeed, the Montecito Association gave it a Beautification Award.

Longtime residents may recall the fence that predated this one, when cows grazed there. After the animals were moved, their owners asked if they could take the fence, too. “So we needed a new fence,” says Malkin.

Her nephew, Jared Vazales, created mockups of a couple of different designs, and the winner was a variation on a stacked-log fence he had built in northern Michigan. That one had stakes at the ends that decayed over the years, so Vazales and Malkin decided to incorporate metal, which also felt a little more contemporary. And they used eucalyptus, in the hope that termites would find it less appealing, that has been sealed for protection from the elements.

“Jared hand-stacked the wood on two sides, with concrete in the middle for stability,” says Malkin. “He had to go up to Northern California to get enough wood.” And when the Malkins bought a neighboring property, they decided to extend the fence. “We thought he’d be there for two weekends, and he’s been there for eight years, even after bringing in one of his buddies to help. But it’s finally about to be finished.” Naturally, the county is now talking about possibly making them move it, along with the marvelous sculpted shrubbery, to make way for a sidewalk….

Got a question you’d like investigated? Email sitelinesb@gmail.com or text 917-209-6473.

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Previous Burning Questions:
••• What’s the housing development under construction next to the polo fields?
••• Why is part of this West Beach mosaic covered in concrete?
↓↓↓ What was the Weeping Willow Inn?
••• What does the “S” on certain chimneys stand for?
••• What’s the status of the decommissioning of Rincon Island?
••• What happened to the gas flame on Highway 101?
••• What do we know about the proposed apartment complex at 1 Hot Springs Road?
••• What’s the history of this tower on Ortega Ridge?
••• What’s up with these sculptures on a hillside in Summerland?
••• Is there a master plan for the new walking paths in Montecito?
••• Why are the Thousand Steps still wet?
••• What’s happening with Sola Street?
••• Why are trees being cut down above the San Ysidro Ranch?
••• Why is this lot on Milpas Street still vacant?
••• Where else do cruise ships that visit here go?
••• What is this large memorial in Ennisbrook?
••• What’s the large building under construction next to Highway 101?
••• Who bought the former St. Mary’s seminary—and why?
••• What will happen to the SBPD building when the new building is completed?
••• How does the city decide to mark bike lanes?
••• What’s the story with this house on W. Cota Street?
••• What are those little houses on Santa Barbara Street?
••• Is the Music Academy of the West adding pedestrian gates?
••• Why does the Coast Village Road median look so bad?
••• What’s the point of this light pole near the freeway?
••• Why are the city’s parking lots scanning license plates?
••• What’s inside Paseo Nuevo’s State Street tower?
••• What’s the point of these markings on Laguna Street?
••• Why is there a giant red shoe off Highway 101?
••• Are we no longer allowed on the SBHS baseball field?
••• What does “SBTP” on this post mean?
••• What’s up with the “no e-bike” signs on local trails?
••• Why is Franceschi House in a holding pattern?
••• What’s happening with this derelict house in Summerland?
••• Why is there wood on some power lines?
••• Can you explain how sundowner winds work?
••• Why is there a pressure cooker attached to this utility pole?
••• What’s this concrete ramp thing on East Beach?
••• Why does “USA” get written on the street?
••• What are those poles in the ocean near the Ritz-Carlton Bacara?
••• Are people really allowed to set fires in the middle of Montecito?
••• What’s the story with the half-finished lot next to the Montecito Country Mart?

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