On September 16, 2013, the Edible Parks Task Force, a sub-committee of the Oakland Climate Action Coalition, announced that it will be launching a public outreach campaign in four communities across Oakland. The program will engage Oakland residents in enhancing their local neighborhood parks through the incorporation of community-designed and implemented gardens and edible landscapes for the production of fruit, vegetable, flowers, and herbs for community use. (see press release)
Some existing examples of "edible parks" are Peralta Hacienda, Dover Edible Park, Stonehurst, Tassafaronga Park,, Fitzgerald Plaza, and Lakeside Park's Edible Gardens at the Gardens at Lake Merritt.
There will be four community informational meetings and free BBQs to discuss the process and hear feedback:
- Channel Park/Laney- Fri. 10/11 @2pm: (21 7th St ,behind Laney College Bistro)
- Bushrod Park/Rec. Center- Sun. 10/13 @1pm: (560 59TH STREET)
- Brookfield Park/Ira Jenkins- Sun. 10/20 @1pm: (9175 Edes Avenue )
- Nicol Park- Sun. 10/27 @1pm: (Nicol Avenue & Coolidge Avenue)
About the Edible Parks Task Force:
(from the press release):
The Edible Parks Task Force was created by the Food Justice and Land Access Committee. A committee of the Oakland Climate Action Coalition, this cross-sector coalition is leading the effort to adapt/mitigate climate-based threats to Oakland’s marginalized communities. The Task Force was convened in 2012 for the purpose of working with the City of Oakland, Oakland's Office of Parks and Recreation (OPR), and Public Works Agency (PWA) to develop a program in which Oakland residents can plant and maintain edible landscaping in public parks. The program aims to reduce the workload of OPR, given the overwhelming community requests for additional public community gardens in Oakland. Core participants of the program include PUEBLO, Oakland Food Policy Council, Phat Beets Produce, Planting Justice, Communities for a Better Environment, City Slicker Farms, Community Food and Justice Coalition, Victory Garden Foundation and Oakland Community Members.
Contact:
Courtney Hendrix
510-547-1547
