Healdsburg hopes to open second community garden

<p>Healdsburg's community garden is so successful that city officials hope to open a second site this spring to accommodate a waiting list for those who want to grow their own food.</p><p>The “locovore” movement, motivated by people who are passionate about growing their produce close to home, helps account for the popularity of the community garden, Healdsburg City Councilman Mike McGuire said Monday.</p><p>“Homegrown tastes better,” said McGuire, who said it also reduces the carbon footprint.</p><p>“It's a movement. People are conscious about how and where they grow their produce. It continues to catch on throughout the country.”</p><p>The community garden has been active for about 30 years in Healdsburg. It contains 31 plots at Badger Park. Gardeners pay $50 annually per plot, in exchange for the cost of irrigation and soil.</p><p>But there are more than 30 people on a waiting list to get into the garden.</p><p>The city intends to develop a piece of land at the north end of town as a second community garden, at the old Foss Creek School campus, which was converted to a community center.</p><p>The city is seeking $15,000 in donations to remove asphalt, install a fence, gates and irrigation.</p><p>Volunteers and city staff are working together to try to open the garden by this spring.</p><p>More information can be obtained though the parks and recreation department at 473-4456.</p>