To meet the need for more community garden plots and to advance the Mayor’s Executive Directive on Healthy and Sustainable Food, the Recreation and Park Department is proposing to construct at least 40 new garden plots, gardening material supply bins and a tool lending library at 780 Frederick Street.

The 0.66-acre site is situated at the northwest corner of Frederick/Arguello Streets. The site has the potential to host a total of more than 120 plots and/or other garden and agricultural features. Future development phases at the site will be presented to this Commission once additional funding is identified and community input obtained regarding desired programming features. The site is readily accessible via the MUNI ‘N’ and #71 lines that service the area.

In addition to approximately 40 community garden plots, the Recreation and Park Department is proposing to make available common landscape materials (mulch, chips and fines) stocked in holding bins and a gardening-tool lending library – both unique public resources currently not available in San Francisco).

The Recreation and Park Department shall emphasis environmentally sustainable practices at the site in its design and programmatic and operating features, including a native plant nursery as part of the materials distribution component. Surplus produce from garden plots would be given away to food bank and/or food pantries.

Budget and Timeline

The Recreation and Park Department has identified $250,000 in capital funds to construct Phase 1 improvements, including garden plots, material bins, and facilities for tool lending and native plant nursery.

Construction of Phase 1 is anticipated to take 8-10 weeks and shall be performed by a combination of RPD Structural Maintenance and licensed contractors.

Future phases of improvements shall occur as funds and resources are made available.