Cloverdale residents will soon have the chance to weigh in on whether or not the city should transform a struggling patch of grass at a beloved park into a community garden.
At a Feb. 25 council meeting, city officials discussed the idea of converting a patch of Furber Park into a community garden but stopped short of a formal plan, directing staff to gather more community input before the city takes the next step.
City staff plan to release a survey to assess community interest in the proposal, according to City Clerk Mike Maloney. In the survey, residents can express their interest in the garden and propose alternative sites. The results will be presented at the council’s March 25 meeting.
The idea of a community garden has surfaced periodically over the years, according to Public Works and Parks Superintendent Héctor Galván, saying he has received calls from residents asking the city to establish one.
Galván and City Manager Kevin Thompson told the council the southwest corner of the park is an ideal spot for the park, citing easy access to nearby parking, restrooms and a neighboring creek.
City officials also say a community garden could also be a more water-conscious choice for the patch of grass since it would be on a drip irrigation system as opposed to the 150 sprinklers that water the grass in the spot now.
“To be able to conserve water and add a benefit to our community, I think, is huge,” Vice Mayor Todd Lands said.
Mayor Brian Wheeler and Councilmember Mark Laskey also supported the idea of transforming the plot into a community garden, with Laskey adding that the space is basically unused right now and he would like to see it used for producing viable food options for the community.
Not all council members were quite ready to move forward, though.
Councilmember Andres Marquez said he supported a community garden but was concerned there had not been a clear enough show of community support or commitment to sustain the project.
“I would hate to build something and not have it be used,” Marquez said.
Councilmember Marjorie Morganstern said she would prefer to explore alternative locations in more central, walkable areas of the city.
During public comment, residents voiced enthusiasm for the proposal with several offering to help out with the garden if it moves forward. One resident described her experience working in a school garden as “life changing” and shared how it shaped her interest in studying agriculture in college.
The council’s Student Liaison Brisa Cardenas voiced her support for the community garden and encouraged the council to give local high school students the opportunity to earn community service hours.
“It brings communities together,” Wheeler said. “This could be a cool educational thing for people who have never gardened.”
Contact Staff Writer Anna Armstrong at anna.armstrong@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @annavarmstrongg.
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