A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks - SAGE

Management and DevelopmentRole of Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation DepartmentThe AgPark plan for Martial Cottle assumes that the Parks Department wouldcontract for and partner in the development and operation of the AgPark as themajor component of the overall Martial Cottle Park. The Parks Department woulddirectly manage recreational, interpretive, and educational components. Anoverarching plan would foster maximum synergy between the AgPark and otherPark components.Interim PhaseThe interim phase, which will take place during the Parks Department’sdevelopment of a master plan for the site, will provide an opportunity to establishthe agricultural capability of the land.There are two general approaches to the interim phase of the Martial Cottle AgPark.If implementation of the master plan is likely to entail significant grading and othersoil disturbances, research and development of the land should be minimal, limitedto some soil testing, dry farming of a hay crop, and documentation of obvious soil,water, and drainage issues. However, if implementation of the Master Plan is likelyto entail minimal grading and other soil disturbances, research and development ofthe land could be more extensive. This more extensive approach could involvecontracting with a researcher to make cover crop recommendations, conduct soiltests, monitor various physical conditions, and map and document these conditions.Some of these activities may be conducted as part of the master plan’s EIR.It is assumed that during overall park master planning, a business plan for theAgParks component would be developed.DevelopmentThere would be several major aspects to the development of the AgPark.Soil Remediation, transition to organic certification, and layout• Due to its proximity to residential areas, the plan assumes that the entireoperation would be certified organic. Engaging an individual familiar with theorganic farming of multiple crops on a larger scale, in an urban setting, couldfacilitate the initial phase of development of the property.• Since most of the property has not been actively farmed in some time, therewould be some trial and error determining the capabilities of the different soiltypes, applications of initial soil amendments would be required, and thereduction of the weed seed reservoir by cultivation would help maintain andenhance the lease value of the fields.DRAFT 1.6.05 37