A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks - SAGE

ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM FEASIBILITY STUDYArdenwood Historic Farm is a 205-acre farm and visitor center located in Fremont,California. It is operated by the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) on landleased for a nominal fee from the City of Fremont. Nestled between freeways,shopping centers, and residential neighborhoods, Ardenwood is the final remnant ofthe extensive agriculture that once flourished in thefertile soils and benign climate of Southern AlamedaCounty. The site was historically a family farm, andcontinues to be farmed, as well as host educationalprograms, today. The Agricultural Park Feasibility Studyfor Ardenwood was developed in collaboration with theEast Bay Regional Parks District, as an exploration ofpotential future agricultural and community connectivityuses of Ardenwood, and as an example of how UrbanEdge Agricultural Parks might be developed on otherEBRPD sites.ContextCity/Regional ContextFremont, California sits at the border of Alameda County and Santa Clara Countyjust north of San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley. Fremont was once a part of thelarge Mission San Jose. In 1853, the area became the Washington Township, madeup of the Mission San Jose, Centerville, Niles, Irvington, and Warm Springscommunities. In 1956, these communities formed the City of Fremont. 10Fremont is the Bay Area’s 4 th largest city, with a diverse population of 210,000. 11Asian Americans make up 37 percent of the population and Latinos make upanother 13.5 percent. The city is home to large South Asian communities (Afghan,Indian). A remarkable 120 languages are spoken within the 92 square miles of thecity. The average household income is $107,000, with 41% of households earningover $100,000 yearly. 12The Ardenwood district of Fremont includes residential neighborhoods, a shoppingdistrict and a number of biotechnology companies. State Highway 84 runs adjacentto Ardenwood Farm, providing access to the Dumbarton Bridge and Palo Alto (SanFrancisco Peninsula).10 http://www.ci.fremont.ca.us/AboutFremont/default.htm11 http://www.ci.fremont.ca.us/AboutFremont/Demographics/default.htm12 http://www.ci.fremont.ca.us/Business/Demographics/Income.htmDRAFT 1.6.05 42