A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks - SAGE

Summary of Site ScreenThe following chart explains the 16 sites initially considered by the study, and theirstatus and expressed levels of interest.CONTRA COSTA COUNTYSiteBrentwood: 50-acre site ina corner of the previousCowell Ranch, a 3,000-acreproperty including historicranch that was recentlypurchased by CA StateParks. Site, currently leasedfor an orchard, is borderedby City of Brentwood on oneside and by Brentwood AgCore on another side.East Bay Regional ParkDistrict (EBRPD) site inDelta area, east ofBrentwood 250 acresStatusDeveloping a general plan for the Cowell Ranch Park is the topplanning priority for the Bay Sector, CA State Parks, in FY 04-05. The Bay Sector Superintendent views the concept of anAgPark as interesting potential use, possibly developed inconjunction with the planned historic interpretive site at theranch and extended as a use into the contiguous protected AgCore. He suggests investigation of the Citrus Museum andPark in Riverside County, as being instructive to the AgParkconcept. He encourages our full participation in the publicaspect of the planning process.The City of Brentwood has recently created an Ag Land Trustand Ag Enterprise Committee, both of which are activelycooperating with the AgPark team to further investigate theCowell Ranch site and to identify additional sites.Site was purchased for development of delta access for landandwater- based recreation opportunities and is currentlyactively farmed. Master plan for the site has not yet beencreated. However, EBRPD considers ongoing agriculture thatalso encompasses public access and recreation opportunitiesto be a potential component of ultimate park plan.MARIN COUNTYSt. Vincent – SilveiraProperty: Novato.A several hundred-acre property in a prime location borderingboth agriculture and developed areas, and hotly contended forby both uses. Proposed by Ellie Rilla, County Director, UCCooperative Extension. The team considered this to be anunlikely AgPark site due to high land value, developmentpressure, and local politics. However, the Marin AgriculturalLand Trust (MALT) is applying for funds to do a feasibilitystudy for an educational facility on the site and suggests thatan AgPark could be a complementary use.DRAFT 1.6.05 24