BREAKING: The highly anticipated reopening of the community garden in El Quito Park, Saratoga took place on January 15, 2025, with a vibrant ceremony attended by city officials and residents. The garden, which has undergone a major redesign, now features an impressive 49 garden beds, a significant increase from the previous 17 beds.
Community members gathered to celebrate the revitalization of this crucial green space, which has been transformed into a hub for gardening enthusiasts. The redesign includes the addition of concrete picnic tables, a greenhouse, toolsheds, and a new bulletin board for sharing gardening tips and events. Residents can now lease plots annually with an option for renewal, ensuring ongoing engagement within the community.
“It’s a gathering place, and it’s a connection over a common interest,” said Bridget Cash, project manager for the redesign. The garden’s new features were first unveiled at a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting in July 2024. Despite initial plans to open by March 2025, delays in receiving furniture such as the greenhouse pushed the opening date back.
The entire Saratoga City Council was present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which included free succulents and refreshments for attendees. Former Saratoga mayor Jill Hunter also attended, while current Mayor Belal Aftab expressed pride in the community’s collaboration:
“It’s really cool to see all of this come together,”
he stated, highlighting the garden’s potential to serve various parts of the city. Landscape architect Jeff Heid was credited for the garden’s innovative design.
The renovation project, which cost nearly $350,000, was funded through park development fees. Cash noted that demolition of the old structures was costly due to numerous tripping hazards and an outdated irrigation system. The garden now features updated irrigation with individual spouts for each bed, enhancing the overall gardening experience.
Gardeners like Terry Carlson, who has participated for three years, praised the improvements. Previously, gardeners had to install their own screens to keep pests like gophers at bay. Now, every box is equipped with a heavy-duty screen to protect against soil invaders.
The garden employs restorative agricultural practices aimed at enriching the soil and preventing erosion, allowing for a diverse range of crops such as lettuce, collard greens, daikon radishes, and strawberries to flourish. After harvest, residents can enjoy fresh produce at a community center located at Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road and Sea Gull Way.
Although the garden is now open to the public, plans are underway for additional enhancements, including the construction of ADA-accessible beds by local Eagle Scouts.
For those interested in cultivating their own plots, more information is available at http://bit.ly/4qnRKdw.
This newly revitalized community garden not only enriches the lives of Saratoga residents but also strengthens community bonds through shared gardening endeavors. Stay tuned for further updates as the garden continues to grow and evolve!
