A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks - SAGE

These ideas complement and build on the opportunities that the Ardenwood Planhas already identified for potential partnerships with 4-H groups, livestock breedingassociations, and horticultural groups.Design Considerations• Site Improvements: Many agricultural and educational program elements arealready established. This Study proposes limited design changes, includingimproved neighborhood access at the north and south, an improved mixed-userecreational trail network, and an enlarged market and café oriented towardArdenwood Boulevard, in addition to a restructured agriculture program.• Farm Plots: In addition to the physical improvements described above, thisreport proposes a division of the existing farm plots to accommodate multiplefarmers. Improved farm equipment storage and farm equipment routes are alsoproposed to accommodate multiple small farmers.• Recreation Space: There is a large amount of park space that is not inagricultural production. Most of the non-agricultural program elements arelocated within this park space, with ample room to spare. Therefore, there is agreat deal of program flexibility, and program changes or additions are notlimited by land availability.Agricultural Operations• Farm Plots: 91 acres total, includes 30 acres of small plots (3-7.5 ac), 39 acresof medium plots (8-14 ac), and 22 acres of large plots (one 22-acre plot). These91 acres could be subdivided differently. The 22-acre plot is currentlydesignated as “Historic Farming and Education Unit,” and the program may needto be changed in order to transfer this plot into private agricultural use.• Animal Husbandry: There are currently approximately 7 acres of pasturelandand corrals for livestock. There is an opportunity to establish additional smallscalecommercial animal husbandry operations, such as pastured poultry.• Farm Equipment Storage: Approximately 1.5 acres are proposed for farmequipment storage and a greenhouse facility, to be shared by the farmers.• Farm Service Routes: Approximately 12,000 linear feet of farm service routesare proposed. These would serve each farm plot independently.• Infrastructure requirements: Development of a retrofitted well and meteredirrigation system necessary for the operation of multiple small farm plots wouldbe a major challenge and expense. Salinization and electricity costs are alreadypresenting problems for the agricultural operations of the single current farmer.Recreational Facilities• Trails: Approximately 9,800 linear feet of improved multi-use trails areproposed. Uses would include walking, jogging, bicycling, and horseback riding.DRAFT 1.6.05 47