Community Garden News

April 26, 2010: Neighbors Presented Vision for Community Garden Space

The North End Neighborhood Council made a presentation to the board to request consideration of acceptance of a parcel of property as a community garden site, to be cared for by the neighborhood under a CHIP In! agreement.

Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) has determined the former substation property located on Junette Street to be surplus. Local governments offer first rights of purchase for publicly-owned land to other public agencies before placing them on the open market. Through an agreement with TPU, neighbors created a park-like setting outside the gated area of the property. They've planted trees and grass, created a walking path and host routine work parties to remove invasive plants from the area which was once an eysore and is now a community gathering space.

Neighborhood Council chair Kyle Price, former Metro Parks Commissioner and now Tacoma City Councilmember Ryan Mello, along with a number of the neighbors who help take care of the property shared the neighborhood's vision for transorming the substation property into a community garden. The design would be comprised of nearly 30 raised beds, including four that would provide wheelchair access. Councilmember Ryan Mello shared that more than 200 community members attended a recent Community Garden Summit, including Mayor Strickland who he says would like Tacoma to become a national leader in offering the most community gardening space per capita.

The group was confident that it can obtain the funding needed to acquire the property, but is looking for a public agency who will take ownership of it. The group pointed to Metro Parks' successful CHIP IN! program as a great vehicle to make the vision for the community to continue maintenance of the property, including the expansion of the community garden space which the neighbors would also design, construct and maintain.

Board members asked whether the property has been evaluated to determine whether the site is free of contaminants and inquired about infrastructure such as irrigation. While water is run to the property, the question regarding contaminants was unknown. The Board will study the proposal further with neighbors during an upcoming Committee of the Whole or Study Session.

Last Updated: May 4, 2010 1:00 PM