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Costa Mesa commissioners pursue small subcommittee, funding to expand community gardens after gardeners urge more plots and better access
Summary
After hearing gardeners'9 accounts of long wait lists, parking problems and maintenance needs at Hamilton and Delmare gardens, the Parks and Community Services Commission asked staff to work with interested commissioners on an ad-hoc group to study expansion, accessibility and rules changes; commissioners noted a prior $50,000 recommendation to seed work on the program.
Costa Mesa'9s Parks and Community Services Commission on April 23 heard extended public comment from current gardeners and directed staff to organize a small group of commissioners and community members to study how to expand and improve the city'9s community garden program.
The commission'9s director, Director Gruner, told commissioners the city now operates two garden centers — Delmare (about 60 parcels and five raised beds at 170 Delmare Avenue) and Hamilton (about 42 parcels) — with plots measuring roughly 15 by 13 feet. He said all 102 parcels are rented, the Delmare waiting list is about 183 people and Hamilton'9s is about 59. Fees are $60 per parcel annually, with a one-time $20 key deposit and a $100 refundable cleanup deposit.
Gardeners who spoke urged the city to protect existing plots, address parking and access at Hamilton, and consider splitting large plots as they become available to serve more residents. "We still have…
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