SAMMAMISH COMMUNITY GARDEN
AT BEAVER LAKE
To build a sustainable community garden that brings together neighbors of all ages and backgrounds through the shared experience of growing organic food. The Garden will provide a place for recreation and relaxation as well as support the education of organic gardening, healthy eating and sustainable lifestyle practices.
Coming in 2012!
In January of 2011, dozens of interested residents attended the initial meeting regarding the creation of Sammamish’s first community garden of member p-patches. Since then, a handful of volunteers have been coordinating about the garden’s design, operations, and publications. This website is the place to see how the garden is shaping up, and we invite you to sign-up for the webpage alerts in the upper right hand corner. That way you’ll be notified when these pages are updated. It’s going to be a long row to hoe, but so much has begun sprouting up already.
January Update
· The Sammamish Community Garden at Beaver Lake will be presenting Sammamish’s Earth Day event at Beaver Lake Park, on Saturday April 21 from 12-3.
· A logo for the garden is being drafted and is expected to be revealed soon.
· The application form was reviewed and is to be submitted to the City for review and approval.
· No update on the final draft of the garden policy submitted for approval.
· A first draft of a budget template was presented.
· The City has finalized details of the garden plan and they have been submitted to BPA for their approval. When the plans are approved, the project will go out to bid.
December Update
· No Meeting
November Update
· A draft of the application form was presented to the group.
· With the garden design nearly final, we can move forward with budgeting.
· The policy was submitted to the City for revisions/approval.
· Fundraising ideas for the garden were discussed.
· The design group met with the City and updated us on things discussed such as: plot spacing, shed size and plantings around the garden.
October Update
· 501c3 presentation including the advantages of becoming a non-profit, and how the two groups might partner. It was decided to wait for their bylaws before deciding to partner.
· City Update: the latest garden layout plans were shown. They have been submitted to BPA . The garden will be constructed in phases with the upper most tier first, and a new garden opening made for summer 2012. The budget cannot cover all items planned, like raised beds, so fundraising will be needed.
· Updates from September’s Policy review were discussed and the policies are going to be submitted to the city for approval.
· Discussed taking on Earth Day as a fundraiser for the garden and the overall need for a fundraising strategy.
September Update
· A detailed Policy review was conducted. Some topics covered were: Garden fees will be due in January and prorated for those that join at another time. The garden will be open year-round. Plots must be cleaned by May 1 or will be reassigned. Eligibility will be on a first-come basis with a waiting list.
· Next month, guests will come to discuss their 501c3, how to create one, and there is a way to partner.
· City update: the site has been surveyed; laying out of the garden in a site plan has begun. Some retaining walls are going to be required. BPA needs to approve the plan due to the garden being within their easement and how it will affect their access and line clearance. They require a grading plan for their review as well.
August Update
· No meeting
July Update
· The group discussed having a booth at the Farmers Market on August 24th.
· Volunteer positions within the community garden were reviewed such as Compost Manager, and Garden Manager.
· A Policy draft was reviewed and suggestions made regarding such things as structures, allowed pesticides and borrowing community tools. A contract page will be included in the final policies.
June Update
· Policy Development Committee meeting to discuss other local garden guidebooks and their policies.
· We are preparing for the garden permit and expect to begin the process soon.
· City crews to begin work on the garden could be as soon as late-Fall!
· Operating budget is in progress.
· Plot rental fees being evaluated.
May Update
It was a big month for the Community Garden! At the May committee meeting, the Garden Design Committee presented their suggestions to the City’s landscape architect for input and recommendations. With the City’s input, the Garden Design committee is reviewing:
· The parking lot will be able to accommodate 4-5 spots, one reserved for ADA parking and another likely for loading/unloading.
· As the garden is on a slope, terracing will be looked at.
· There are gas lines on site that need their location confirmed.
· To have a building/shed on site, BPA approval will be needed. If not approved, an alternate location will need to be determined.
· The budget may not cover the materials for all the beds to be raised beds. Ideally, a sponsor will come forward so that we can open with all the beds in place. Alternatively, they may be phased in.
Some links to ideas presented:
· Fencing – www.deerbusters.com
· Garden Gate - http://bapatoms.net/portfolio.htm
· Structure - http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/zoom/html/2014777409.html
· Compost bins - http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Outdoor/Compost-Tumblers/Sun-Mar-Garden-Composter-200-50-Gallon
April Update
· Earth Day – On April 30th, members of the community garden had a booth at Sammamish’s Earth Day event to help get the word out about the upcoming garden and answer questions from the community. There was a craft project showing how to make recycled newspaper seed starting pots and seed planting for children. Fliers about the garden were also distributed. Check out the photos in the new Photo tab, and download the flier from the Resources area.
· Garden Design – Fencing is going to be similar to what’s already around the space, and will be high enough to keep the deer out, with mesh wire under the soil to keep rabbits and other vermin out. Raised bed and path materials are being evaluated, as well as sizes and ADA bed locations. We’re planning on a multipurpose shed, a garden gate and benches that will complement the park.
· Guide Book – the team will begin reviewing examples of the guide books they have collected.
· Opening Day – a group is being put together to start planning our opening day.
· Website – the website is now live. An information flier has been added to the Resources area, along with Earth Day pictures in the new Photos area. The Contacts area is also new.
· Next Meeting – May 5th, 6pm. (This was a different week than we normally meet in order for the design committee to present to the City.)
March Update
· Vision Statement – we’re getting close and will be unveiling it on the website soon!
· Garden Design – the Garden Design Committee has been visiting other community gardens in the area and gathering ideas. They hope to know the actual size of our garden soon. We’re looking forward to this too!
· Sponsorship – we have many opportunities for interested sponsors. If your group/business/organization is interested, please contact us via Dawn Sanders at 425-295-0556 or dsanders@ci.sammamish.wa.us.
· Guide Book & Operating Plan – we are working to create two different booklets. The Guide Book will be a handbook for plot owners, and will be available for download from the website when completed. The Operating Plan will be a reference for other groups interested in building their own community gardens.
· Website – First version of the site to go up in April.
· Budget – Committees are researching their costs to help us determine our annual operating budget, and thus how much it will cost plot owners to rent their plots.
· Earth Day – Community garden volunteers are hosting a booth at Sammamish’s Earth Day event at Beaver Lake Park on April 30th, complete with a seed planting activity for kids and demonstrations on making your own seed-starting pots from newspaper.