Foster City community garden program launches 

“It was determined that the vacant land owned by the IUC was the ideal location for the community garden for a few reasons,” Parks and Recreation Director Derek Schweigart said. “One, it’s highly accessible for gardeners given its location to the street, as well as close proximity to both single-family as well as multifamily homes. Also, minimal land improvements would be necessary for this parcel of land with minimal startup costs, and then there’s the fact that we would have a partnership with an excited church as well as an association.”

The roughly 2,000-square-foot site would be open to the public, and users would be charged a fee, which has yet to be determined. Schweigart said those fees are meant to cover the city’s operations and maintenance costs, including water costs, a new fence, storage shed, gardening tools and supplies. Total anticipated costs are estimated to be around $23,000.

“Some of us who live on the water can’t grow anything edible because it’s too windy. But also, think about all the people who live in apartments who don’t have access to a garden. This would give them an opportunity,” Parks and Recreation Committee Member Yvonne Ryzak said.

The site currently comprises about 15 planter boxes on the property and will be leased only to Foster City residents, who can only use the garden to cultivate vegetables, flowers and herbs. The agreement, or memorandum of understanding, between the FCCGA, city and IUC is valid for three years, with the option to extend on a year-to-year basis. 

“Island United Church has always been a great partner in our community. They’re very inclusive, bringing people together, and a community garden is the perfect way to do that, right there on the property,” Councilmember Jon Froomin. “It makes it a whole lot easier for staff and the city when there is a community association willing to help out and deal with it.”