Pendleton’s new garden to open in spring of 2026

Published 8:00 am Saturday, November 15, 2025

PENDLETON – A new community garden soon will bloom in Pendleton, offering residents a shared space to grow their own food, connect with nature and build stronger community ties.

The Pendleton Community Garden Project is taking shape at 1020 SW 25th St., a city-owned lot behind the Pendleton McDonald’s in the Southgate neighborhood. The project is a partnership between Umatilla County Public Health, the Umatilla County Master Gardener Association and the city of Pendleton.

“The Pendleton Garden project was inspired by our desire to share our passion for access to healthy food and to bring as many folks to the table around what that does for a better quality of life,” according to Amy Jermain, community garden project manager and Umatilla County Master Gardener adviser. “The garden really is a symbol for community connection and our collective well-being. We encourage residents to make it their own, to bring what they have to offer to it. It will be a beautiful space, by the community for the community.”

The garden is set to open to the public in early spring of 2026, just in time for the growing season, with plots available for rent beginning in February.

The Pendleton City Council voted unanimously Oct. 21 to approve a lease agreement allowing Umatilla County to build the community garden.

According to a city staff report, the city will level and grade the site and provide water service. The county also will cover part of the material costs, install electricity, make other improvements and provide insurance for the site.

Health goals, community benefits

The local garden project aligns with key health goals in Umatilla County’s 2022–26 Community Health Improvement Plan, which highlights five priorities: addressing food insecurity, providing access to health and food education, expanding programming for youth and seniors, and building community around healthy food practices, according to the press release.

“The garden is designed to be a place where people can not only grow fresh produce for themselves,” according to Analyah Cruz, healthy communities coordinator at Umatilla County Public Health Department, “but also learn from each other, get hands-on experience and education around gardening, and foster a stronger sense of neighborhood connection.”

Features for the garden include raised plots available for rent, a children’s learning garden, a Master Gardener’s demonstration garden and a composting station. Additionally, there will opportunities for learning through programs such as the Oregon State University Extension Service’s Seed to Supper course.

Funding and community support

According to the press release, the Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization and Amazon Eastern Oregon have provided grant dollars to support phase one of the garden’s development. The project seeks additional funding, community partnerships and volunteers to help with projects.

A community-led Garden Council that will advise and help grow the garden soon will seek local leadership.

Residents who want updates can sign up for a monthly newsletter or follow city and county media channels for details. Workshops and events, including a grand opening ceremony and the initial planting day, are expected to be announced in early 2026.

For more information or to volunteer, contact:

Analyah Cruz, Umatilla County Public Health healthy communities coordinator at 541-278-6380 to analyah.cruz@umatillacounty.gov.

Amy Jermain, community garden project manager and Umatilla County Master Gardener adviser at pendletoncommunitygarden@gmail.com.