CR 11-042 Approve Community Garden Installation at Cottageville ParkOITY OF
• May 13, 2011 ti o P K i N S Council Report 2011-042
Approve Community Garden Installation at Cottageville Park
Proposed Action.
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move that Council authorize
the installation of a community garden at Cottageville Park to be administered by
the Blake Road Corridor Collaborative (BRCC) as a pilot project.
Overview.
The Blake Road Corridor Collaborative (BRCC) has proposed a community
garden initiative for this year at Cottageville Park. The garden would be 40' x 40'
in size, constructed by the City and operated under the guidance/administration
of Ann Buech, BRCC Outreach Coordinator. More specifically, the 40' x 40'
garden would be managed by interested neighborhood residents and area youth
under the general guidance/direction of BRCC staff. The garden would be
operated as a single garden, not individual plots. The BRCC presented the
proposal to the Park Board at its April 18 meeting and it was recommended for
approval by the Park Board at its May 9 meeting. A letter was mailed in late April
to all neighborhood residents - the City has received no feedback. The City
intends to have a temporary water line brought into the park from the abandoned
service line that was used by the apartments at 427-429 Blake Road before they
were demolished. At its May 26 Board meeting, the Minnehaha Creek
Watershed District (MCWD) will consider approval of a temporary use agreement
that will allow the installation of the water line. As stated in the recommended
motion, this community garden is considered a pilot project to gauge interest and
help determine if this would be a beneficial use in a future redeveloped
Cottageville Park. The idea follows the Blake Road Community Action Plan by
promoting a new use in the park that will foster and empower youth and develop
a sense of community responsibility and ownership of Cottageville Park and their
neighborhood.
Staff recommends approval of the Cottageville Park community garden.
Supporting Information.
• BRCC commdnity garden proposal
• April 27, 2011 letter to Cottageville Park neighborhood residents
• Aerial photo showing garden and proposed water line
Council Report 2011-042
Page 2
Steven J. Stadler
Public Works Director
Financial Impact: 3,000 Budgeted: Y/N N Source: Park Improvement
Fund (301)
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.): Blake Road Community Action Plan
Notes:
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• Cottageville Park Community Garden Proposal
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
VMT,711b -
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 willwork 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.
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0 Possible locations for the Community Garden in Cottageville Park
Option 1:
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•
• 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 usage maybe less with access to creek
I
2
Hose (225 ft)
$45
Hose Reel (225 ft) with Padlock
$60
Water Meter
$30
Water Usa a
$100'
"Water usage maybe less with access to creek
I
2
0 Option 2:
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
• Option 3:
• 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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•
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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.g. loves)
$50
Soil Testing
$15
City o� f o pkins Public Works
• 11100 Exc&ior Blvd • Hopkins, MN 55343-3435 . Phone: 952-939-1382 • Fax• 952-939-1381
Web address: www.hopk-insmn.com
April 27, 2011
Residents of the Cottageville Park neighborhood
Dear Resident:
The City is considering a proposal initiated by neighborhood residents and supported by
the Blake Road Corridor Collaborative (BRCC) to add a community garden to
Cottageville Park. This 40' x 40' garden would be managed by interested neighborhood
residents and area youth under the general guidance/direction of BRCC staff - see the
backside of this letter for a diagram showing the proposed location of the garden in the
park. The garden would be operated as a single garden, not individual plots. The
Hopkins Park Board will be considering this proposed new park use at its May 9
meeting. If you have questions or concerns about this park project please call me at
952-548-6350 or email at sstadler4hopkinsmn.com. If you are interested in
• participating or have questions about the planning, operations and maintenance of the
garden please contact Ann Beuch, BRCC Community Organizer at 952-279-0287 or
ann.beuch2Cc-D_gmaiI.com. If the project is approved by the Park Board, work would
begin in mid-May to prepare the area and bring a water line into the park. As you may
know, the City intends to begin park redevelopment planning later this year with
neighborhood residents and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District staff. This
community garden is considered a pilot project to gauge interest and help determine if
this would be a beneficial use in a future redeveloped Cottageville Park.
I encourage you to contact me if you'd like to give feedback on this proposed park use
or to contact Ann if you are interested in participating. The Park Board Meeting will be
held on May 9 at 6:30 pm in the Hopkins City Hall, 1010 Vt Street South.
Sincerely,
Steven J. Stadler
Public Works Director/Park Board Staff Liaison
-Enc.
•
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