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Middleton parks staff to formalize oversight of Bach Community Garden; manual and operations plan shared
Summary
Parks and Recreation presented a newly consolidated garden manual and a plan to shift the Bach Community Garden from volunteer committee oversight to formal city management to protect conservancy boundaries, manage liability, and plan long-term improvements. The garden has roughly 90–95 plots.
Parks and Recreation staff told the Sustainability Committee that the Bach Community Garden will move to formal city oversight beginning with the 2026 season, supported by a newly consolidated garden manual.
Kylie Shearer and Laura Gessling described a multi-step transition begun in 2024: the volunteer garden committee voted to have the city assume management, staff drafted a single handbook combining historical rules and updated conservancy protections, and the parks department will coordinate on longer-term improvements such as fencing or a new shed. Shearer said the change was motivated by the garden’s sensitive location in the Pheasant Branch Conservancy and the need to clarify boundaries and liability.
Committee members asked about scale and operations. Staff said the garden currently has about 90 plots and expects roughly 95 plots in 2026; they are planning to add accessible raised beds. Staff emphasized that volunteers remain central: “the volunteers on that committee did a lot of work… I’m not gonna take the credit for that all the way there,” and said volunteer co-chairs will continue to be important to running the program.
The manual consolidates multiple prior documents, updates plant and seed guidance to prevent spread into conservancy land, and aligns garden rules with the Pheasant Branch Conservancy management plan. Parks staff asked for committee feedback on opportunities to promote environmental education, food sustainability, and possible collaboration on composting or outreach campaigns to expand access for renters and lower-income residents.
No formal action was required or taken; staff will bring updates to the committee and coordinate program details with volunteers.
