The Fremont Community Garden project site is at the northeast corner of 14th and Q Streets, adjacent to the Fremont Mews apartment development. Creation of the garden is a collaborative effort of the City of Sacramento Parks and Recreation Department, Rembold Properties (the developer of the Fremont Mews), neighborhood representatives and CADA. The Fremont Garden site was made available by a land donation from the State Department of General Services and financial contributions from CADA, Rembold Properties, Vice Mayor Rob Fong and other members of the Sacramento City Council, the Sacramento County Bar Association, Bill Maynard, Leonard Development Company, the California Restaurant Association, and many others. Design and consulting services have been provided by EEI and HLA Group. Soil Remediation was carried out by Ramcon Engineering and Environmental Services. Paul Kearney Construction, Inc. was the general contractor.
Ownership of the Fremont Community Garden has been transferred to the City of Sacramento, where it will become part of the City’s Community Garden Program, managed by the Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information about reserving plots or adding your name to the waiting list, please contact Bill Maynard at 508-6025 or wmaynard@cityofsacramento.org.
The History of the Garden:
During the mid-1960’s, the property at 14th and Q Streets in downtown Sacramento was purchased by the state of California for the 1960 Capitol Area Plan. A community garden was established by local residents and workers on the site during the late 1960’s. This garden was later known as the Ron Mandella Community Garden in honor of its founder. The property became designated for housing in 1978, though it remained undeveloped.
In 2001, the Capitol Area Development Authority (CADA) decided to initiate residential development of the site. By then, the property had been used as a community garden for over 30 years. It was a central gathering point for gardeners, residents, children and state workers on their lunch hour. The announcement of the garden being converted to residential use became a difficult time for the entire community. This pitted those who wanted to keep the site as a garden against those who wanted it developed into housing.
The Compromise:
In 2002, CADA and the State Department of General Services committed to retain 100% of the community garden square footage. This was accomplished by acquiring a half city block near Southside Park. The land was developed for the new Southside Community Garden located at 5th and W Streets. This garden represented two-thirds of the original Mandella Garden space. Concurrently, CADA and the State set aside one third of the Mandella site to continue as a community garden, now called the Fremont Community Garden. The Southside Community Garden was donated to the City Parks and Recreation Department as will the new Fremont Community Garden upon completion.
The new Fremont Community Garden represents a model for urban gardening and design. It is be ADA accessible and includes ADA plots, as well as plots for children. There are 2 bocce ball courts and nearly 50 garden plots. CADA followed established organic gardening procedures when developing the garden in order to ensure a healthy environment and safe produce. This garden is now a hub of the community.