(Poster's note: Anybody have time to help these folks out? Sounds like they could use a little ACGA help...)
Redlands, California, Daily Facts Seeds are planted for northside community garden By Steven Sabel Our Town Editor REDLANDS Despite a few squabbles, the Northside Community Garden project is moving forward, according to Councilwoman Patricia Gilbreath. Gilbreath is leading the project to use city land to create a community garden in which residents can rent plots for a nominal fee. The garden will be created on strip of land between houses lining Calhoun and Texas streets, accessible at Lugonia Avenue or Pennsylvania Street. Community gardens at Smiley Elementary School and Clement Middle School are a great success, according to Master Gardener Robert Schuler. Schuler said he likes to think of a community garden as place of education as well as recreation. He was one of several gardeners who volunteered to assist the city with planning the new community garden. Gary McCormick, another community gardener who volunteered to help with the new Northside Community Garden and who was coordinating work with other volunteers, said Gilbreath told them to "back out of it." He and Schuler are no longer involved. Gilbreath said the project is not yet ready for the volunteers' involvement. "We just weren't ready for them yet," said Gilbreath. In a letter addressed to Mayor Susan Peppler, McCormick asked the mayor to intervene. "I was dismayed and offended when I was recently contacted by Council member Pat Gilbreath and told to back out of it,' " McCormick wrote to Peppler. "If indeed we are to stand down I would appreciate that command coming from you." Peppler said that she remembers the letter. Copies were sent to the other members of the council, as well as key city staff involved with the project. "It's the community's garden," said Peppler. "Everyone lending their expertise is what makes it work." Peppler said the issue needed to be resolved. She said that she was not clear on the details of the project because little information had come before the City Council. "There hasn't been anything before the council," said Peppler. Public Works Director Ron Mutter said the project came through the city's Parks and Recreation Commission before receiving direction from the council for the concept to move forward. The project then went before the Planning Commission for approval, with the final conditional use permit granted Feb. 25, 2003, said Mutter. The initial phases of infrastructure improvements necessary to facilitate the garden will begin soon, he said. Gilbreath agrees. She said that there are a number of businesses that have pledged goods and services to the project. Wal-Mart has given a grant of nearly $13,000 to the Redlands Community Foundation. Except for the piping, the city will be fully reimbursed through the grant, said Gilbreath. Gilbreath is glad to see the project moving forward. "The project has been moving very slowly for various reasons," she said. "The project sat there forever waiting for finances." Once the infrastructure is in place, Gilbreath said she will seek volunteers who are interested in assisting with the project. "As we get ready for them for to be involved in the process, we'll bring them in," said Gilbreath. McCormick believes that the volunteers can assist with the planning process, before major infrastructure is put in place. He and the other gardeners believe that the sizes and lay out of the plots is essential to the success of the garden. "My fellow gardeners and I embraced the project, investing considerable time and effort to insure the most efficient plan possible," said McCormick. Schuler believes that the garden should be designed to contain smaller plots of 20 feet by 20 feet. He says that plots of that size are successful at other community gardens because they are easy to manage. Plots are first rented to gardeners by skipping every other plot, leaving vacancies next to early gardeners who may want to expand their operation to the next plot. This also spreads out the vacancies until the garden is full, eliminating the blighted look of empty gardens all clumped together, said Schuler. Gilbreath wants larger plots at the Northside Community Garden. Her plans call for plots measuring 40 feet by 20 feet. She says the plots can always be subdivided later. She said the current design of the garden calls for 28 plots surrounding a central shade and rest area. The smaller plot size would provide approximately 59 spaces. The break down in communication may be due to a lack of direction from the council. Recreation Department employee Denny Sattler said he sat in on early meetings with the volunteer committee. "There is not a staff member assigned to the project," said Sattler. "We haven't been given any direction yet." Peppler does not recall the council giving any formal direction on the matter after approving the concept. "Most of the time a committee is formed and the council appoints a member or two to serve on the committee," said Peppler. "Most council members bring their projects before the council," she said. That is what McCormick wants. "I would like to be assured that we will be free to complete the project as discussed," said McCormick. "We may need to bring it to a full council vote," said Peppler. ______________________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
