Windsor Town Green could get community garden

<p>A weed-strewn patch of land next to Windsor Town Hall may become a community garden, part of a renewed interest in greening urban spaces and growing your own vegetables in the economic downturn.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>“These community gardens are definitely in vogue and successful, allowing residents to grow their own veggies,” said Brad Sherwood, vice-chair of Windsor’s Park and Recreation Commission. “There is a real movement. In Windsor an active group of citizens wants a community garden.”</p><p>The Town Council on Wednesday will consider approving the garden on city land next to the Civic Center. In addition, a small patch of nearby lawn may be replaced with a demonstration garden that shows how to cultivate in a small area like a side yard.</p><p>Community gardens are touted as a way to produce nutritious foods, reduce family food budgets, and preserve green space.</p><p>There are numerous other pluses cited by backers, who say gardens beautify neighborhoods, offer opportunities for recreation, therapy and education, stimulate social interaction and provide a catalyst for neighborhood and community development.</p><p>“It’s not just producing food for people. They make neighborhoods, they connect people,” said Town Councilman Sam Salmon. “You start to know your neighbors. You care about people who live in the neighborhood.”</p><p>“The garden business is booming,” said Windsor Community Services Manager Patricia Morandi, who surveyed community gardens in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Sebastopol and Healdsburg.</p><p>In the United States and Canada, there are almost 20,000 community gardens — typically on city-owned land rented to residents — up from 6,020 in 1996, according to the National Community Garden Association.</p><p>In December, Salmon brought up the idea of establishing a community garden in Windsor.</p><p>It resulted in the Parks and Recreation Commission taking up the topic and getting input from dozens of people supportive of a garden, from gardeners to environmentalists and school officials.</p><p>Windsor had a community garden at one time in Keiser Park, established before the town incorporated in 1992. But it fell into disuse and oak trees reduced the space available there.</p><p>The commission in April unanimously recommended the town establish a community garden at the Civic Center, on vacant property between Town Hall and Windsor Road, between Joe Rodota Drive and Duvander Lane.</p><p>About five years ago, the empty parcel was being considered for a small affordable housing site and day-care center, but the project fell through.</p><p>Park and Recreation commissioners said the site, now covered with yellowed, mowed weeds, would be ideal for a garden of about 5,000 square feet.</p><p>It’s highly visible, across from the police station, close to the Town Green and Town Green Village condominiums. There is water, parking and restroom access.</p><p>The cost of developing the garden is estimated at $15,000 to install irrigation, fencing, create individual and group garden beds, put in a compost area and a storage shed.</p><p>There are a number of potential funding sources, including grants for urban open space and recreation projects, redevelopment funds and sponsorship by local businesses and service clubs.</p><p>Still to be determined is whether there would be a fee for garden beds to offset water use.</p><p>Some of the vegetables could be donated to food banks too.</p><p>If the Town Council gives the green light, work could begin as early as this summer in preparation for fall and winter planting, according to Morandi.</p><p>The 900-square-foot demonstration garden between two Civic Center buildings could be established this summer and include educational sessions with master gardeners. The cost is estimated at $5,000.</p>