Agenda Item: 11
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: September 24, 2024
SUBJECT: CENTRAL PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN LICENSE AGREEMENT DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood Services
PRESENTER: Susan Nelson
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council to authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents for the Community Gardens license renewal with the Community Gardens of Santa Clarita, subject to City Attorney approval.
BACKGROUND
The Community Gardens of Santa Clarita (Community Gardens) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that was previously known as the Community Gardens of Saugus at Central Park. Since April 19, 2012, it has operated a 53,000-square-foot community garden with Central Park, provided at no cost by the City of Santa Clarita (City). Community Gardens offers community members the opportunity to use garden plots and offers various garden workshops throughout the year. The City’s sole expense in supporting this initiative is covering the water costs.
The Community Gardens of Santa Clarita (Community Gardens) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was formerly known as the Community Gardens of Saugus at Central Park.
Managed entirely by volunteers, the organization has been utilizing a 53,000-square-foot area in Central Park for its community garden since April 19, 2012, at no cost to the City. Community Gardens provides residents of Santa Clarita with the opportunity to cultivate their own garden plots and hosts various gardening workshops throughout the year. The City’s only financial responsibility, as per the agreement, is covering the water expenses.
The Community Garden also offers various nonprofit groups and organizations the opportunity to volunteer their time to enrich the community. Organizations such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts use the Community Gardens for community service opportunities. The mission of the Community Garden is to foster a space where people can unite to promote the advantages of locally grown, organic food. This initiative emphasizes environmental sustainability and cost- effectiveness and offers a range of economic, health, and educational benefits to residents,
making it an innovative and impactful project for the community.
The current agreement between the City and the Community Gardens is set to expire October 17, 2024. The recommended, new license agreement would begin on October 1, 2024, and end on October 1, 2034.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact as a result of this action.
ATTACHMENTS
Community Garden Site Map