Location:
930 Old Arcata Road (next to Bayside Park Farm)
Bayside, CA 95521
Contact:
Heather Stevens (City of Arcata)
707.822.7901
hstevens@cityofarcata.org
The History of Bayside Park
CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) began at Bayside Park in 1993 when a group of Humboldt State University professors approached the Arcata City Manager about the potential of partnering with the city to create an Educational Farm.
The Arcata Educational farm became the first CSA in Arcata and is funded to this day by the community; shareholders pledge their support in the spring and receive a share of the harvest every week for the growing season. As well as being a running CSA, the Arcata Educational Farm is a permaculture park, demonstrating sustainable farming practices and appropriate means of energy use. Over the years, this farm has been managed by many generations of student farmers. Many notable farmers within the community learned how to farm here.
In 2000 a serious of community visioning meetings were held in which the community celebrated the value of the Arcata Educational Farm and created the framework for the addition of a Community Garden onsite adjacent to the Farm. Additionally, it was during this time, that the site (which had formerly been zoned as a soccer field) was deemed as a wetland.
In 2010 the Arcata Educational Farm became a program under the City of Arcata with Educational Farmers working as employees of the City. Farm shares are available during the growing season.
Reasons to participate in the Arcata Educational Farm:
● Provides the freshest produce available.
● Offers great variety and bounty.
● Builds community.
● Is reasonably priced for the quantity and quality of produce.
● Produces food with minimal environmental impact and with respect for labor.
● Enables shareholders to become physically connected to the seasons of Humboldt County and the climate of the garden
In August of 2010 the Bayside Park Community Garden opened 24 plots for rental to community members. Individuals and families can rent 4 foot by 25 foot garden plots for the purpose of growing organic fruit, vegetables and flowers for non-commercial use. Each plot is rented for $75 per year for Arcata Residents and $85 for Non-Residents. The final plan for the garden, drafted by Tina Rousselot and approved by the City’s Parks and Recreation Committee includes 58 plots. We are in the very beginning phases of making the vision of Bayside Park Community Garden a reality. The community garden plot holders will play a vital role in shaping the garden. Additional funding is necessary to help develop the garden infrastructure.
Reasons to support the Bayside Park Community Garden:
● Conserves resources.
● Provides a source of therapy, exercise and recreation.
● Serves as a teaching tool for future generations.
● Provides food security.
● Encourages self-reliance.
● Creates community.
● Produces the freshest most nutritional food.
For more information contact the City of Arcata Recreation Division
Phone: (707) 822-7091
Fax: (707) 825-2118
E-mail: rec@cityofarcata.org
Website: www.cityofarcata.org/rec
Address: 736 F Street, Arcata CA 95521