Memo - Cottageville Park Community Garden ProposalPublic Works Department
Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Copy: Jim Genellie, City Manager
From: Steven J. Stadler, Public Works Director
Date: April 21, 2011
Subject: Cottageville Park Community Garden proposal
The Blake Road Corridor Collaborative (BRCC) has proposed a community garden for
this year at Cottageville Park. The garden would be 40'x 40' and be operated under
the guidance/administration of Ann Buech, BRCC Outreach Coordinator - see attached
BRCC proposal. Ann made a presentation to the Park Board on April 18 and the Park
Board is scheduled to consider the proposal again at a May 9 meeting.
Staff will present further details regarding the proposal and answer questions.
Cottageville Park Community Garden Proposal
Purpose
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Residents in the Blake Road neighborhood would like to develop a community garden in Cottageville Park to
create a fun summer activity that will involve both adults and youth from the neighborhood. It would be a great
opportunity to build on the interest in the park sparked by the current expansion and to test interest in a
community garden as a future feature of the park. Additional benefits of a garden include:
• Crime prevention through natural surveillance
• More community involvement
• Health benefits for participants
• Positive activities for youth
Garden Details
Type of Garden: We would like to create a garden that is collectively gardened by community members.
Location and Size: We have funding to create a 40 x 40 garden. Ideally, we would like to place the garden in the
south-west corner of Cottageville Park (within its current boundaries). Three options for garden placement are
attached.
Water Source: We have received permission from the property owner at 431 Blake Road North to connect a
hose to the property's water spigot along with a water meter to monitor water usage. Gardeners would also
have access to the creek once demolition in the area is completed.
Participation: Thus far, residents in homes around Cottageville Park, at Ramsgate Apartments, and at Westside
Apartments have expressed a strong desire to create a community garden. If approval for the project is
received, neighborhood residents and the Blake Road Corridor Collaborative will `work to promote the garden
and to engage other interested community members. In addition, staff members of Hopkins Community
Education have offered to help with outreach efforts to connect neighborhood youth with the project and to
encourage their participation.
Garden Development: If approval is received, members of the gardening group will gather together to decide
the design and layout of the garden and the types of seeds to plant. We will also identify members who will be
in charge of tasks such as creating and monitoring a schedule for garden jobs.
Support: We have been in touch with the group "Gardening Matters," a group that provides information and
support for community gardens (see attachment). A staff member of Gardening Matters will come to the Blake
Road neighborhood on May 2 at 6:30pm to provide training and guidance on community gardening. Additionally
we have been in touch with other community garden groups in St. Louis Park and Minneapolis who have been
willing to offer advice.
Funding: We will receive the funding needed for this project from the Blake Road Corridor Collaborative.
Option 1:
Possible Locations for the Community Garden in Cottageville Park
• Garden is located close to water sources
o Furthest edge of garden would be about 210 ft from the water spigot
o Creek is accessible/not far from garden and could be used as a water source
• Plot lies in an area with a good amount of sunlight
• Does not intrude on space for other activities such as soccer
Water Related Expenses:'
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Hose (225 ft)
$45
Hose Reel (225 ft) with Padlock
$60
Water Meter
$30
Water Usage
$100*
Total.
*Water usage maybe less with access to creek
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Option 2:
Option 3:
• Plot lies in an area with a good amount of sunlight
• Would not intrude on space for other activities such as soccer
• A little far from water sources
o Additional 75 ft hose would be needed (costing $15) and an alternate storage option
would need to be found as most hose reels hold only 225 ft (also adding to cost)
o Distance to the creek is greater which may limit its use as an alternate source
• Would not intrude on space for soccer and is close to parking
• However, garden would be in a more shaded area and would be far from water sources
o An additional 150 ft hose would be needed (approximately 450 ft total = $90)
o Storage options for hose would be limited (risking damage and misuse)
o Creek is more difficult to access
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Projected Budget for Community Garden
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Basic Elements
Hose (225 ft)
$45
Hose Reel (225 ft) with Padlock
$60
Water Meter
$30
Water Usage
$100
Fencing
$200
Seeds and Plant Materials
$200
Tools & Misc (e.. loves)
$50
Soil Testing
$15
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