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Committee reviews community garden models; Strawberry Park wetland delineation required before ground work
Summary
Committee members reviewed a large Lebanon community-garden model and discussed potential plantings, theft and water issues; staff said wetland delineation must be completed before ground disturbance at Strawberry Park.
Committee members reviewed photographs and descriptions of a Lebanon community garden as a model, noting features such as on-site composting and donated security fencing. A presenter said Lebanon volunteers had maintained a compost pile on-site and that security fences — which volunteers reported cost about $110,000 after donations — had been installed to deter theft and trespass issues.
Committee members discussed whether Sweet Home should seek a scaled-down model. Dominic and other staff said nothing had been designed yet but suggested possible plantings, including dwarf or columnar fruit trees and limited bushes. Angela Brown, parks staff, advised that Strawberry Park is a wetland and that the city is completing wetland delineations for park properties; she said staff must wait for delineation results before significant ground disturbance or installation of new plants.
Brown also summarized regulatory constraints: placing fill or moving soil in wetlands can trigger Department of State Lands permitting and fill-and-grade review; the committee should consider drainage and planting species appropriate to periodic saturation rather than assuming all trees or shrubs will thrive. Brown said the city’s current community garden practice is a lease system: gardeners sign a lease in person at City Hall, plots are assigned first-come first-served, and the fee is $30 a year, which includes water.
Committee members discussed deer and vandalism risk; attendees noted mature apple trees in the park currently produce fruit but need heavy pruning. Members suggested raised beds, drip irrigation and smaller fruit-tree stock as ways to reduce long-term maintenance and pest pressure.
No formal design decision was made; staff will await wetland delineation and return with options for layout and planting that comply with state permitting and drainage constraints.
