The former BMX Park on Butterfield Boulevard will be vacant no
more. In a unanimous vote, the City Council agreed to the proposal
by The Morgan Hill Community Garden to transform the dirt park into
a community garden on a trial basis.
By Connor Ramey
The former BMX Park on Butterfield Boulevard will be vacant no more.
In a unanimous vote Wednesday, the City Council agreed to the proposal by The Morgan Hill Community Garden to transform the dirt park into a community garden on a trial basis.
“It’s hard to think of anything easier to accept then someone wanting to turn a plot of land and turning it into a garden,” Council member Greg Sellers said.
The City Council praised the plan, hoping the garden would help promote healthy living.
“It promotes what the city is all about,” Mayor Steve Tate said. “It continues what the city already does: giving opportunity to the residents.”
Under the proposed plan, the garden would be split into 27 plots for different families or participants, MHCG President Sherrie Wren said. Plot sizes would range from 100 to 400 square feet.
And the members of the MHCG hope to have the garden open in late Spring, Wren said. But it’s out of her control.
“It all depends on the city’s schedule, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed,” Wren said.
But first, Wren and the other six members of the board of the MHCG must negotiate rules and policies with city staff, according to the proposal.
Wren hopes the process will be quick, and the MHCG can send the agreement to City Attorney Danny Wan by Feb. 12, she said.
“We want to get going and get started,” Wren said.
From there the City Council would vote on the rules and regulations.
“It should be pretty painless to come to an agreement,” Wren said.
Once an agreed upon, the garden will be open to the public, said Wren. Each participant will have to fill out an application and agree upon the rules.
Under the proposed rules, the MHCG will take full responsibility of maintenance to the site, including trash and taking care of weeds in the area.
Also each plot owner would have to pay for water a year in advance, paying 25 cents per one square foot, Wren said. Each participant would also need to commit two hours per month on maintenance to the common areas.
The member of the MHCG also hope to give some community outreach and teach the community the right ways to garden, Wren said.
Currently the MHCG has a mailing list of nearly 50 people.
To contact the MHCG e-mail them at info.mhcommunitygarden.org or visit their Web site at www.mhcommunitygarden.org.
