Just as promised – the Resolution I have been working on all quarter with Sustainable South Sound. Read away! To see pictures of some of the public community gardens Olympia has now, check out my Image Gallery.

A RESOLUTION OF SUSTAINABLE SOUTH SOUND OF OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON, CONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION AND PRESERVATION OF COMMUNITY GARDENS WITHIN CITY LIMITS, SO THAT EVERY RESIDENT LIVES WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE (ONE-HALF MILE) OF A COMMUNITY GARDEN

WHEREAS, community gardens empower residents to become more active in their communities, cultivating volunteers and leaders who come together to create gardens for the benefit of present and future generations; and

WHEREAS, community gardens beautify areas, reduce criminal activity, and prevent trash accumulation in the forms of dumping and littering; and

WHEREAS, community gardens provide access to healthy, seasonal food for people of all economic backgrounds, improving nutrition and food security among residents; and

WHEREAS, community gardens contribute to the preservation of, access to, and use of open space, vacant lots, and public parks; and

WHEREAS, community gardens benefit the natural environment by promoting pollination and supporting bee and other beneficial insect populations; and

WHEREAS, on December 4, 2008 The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee members included community gardens on their “top 10” list of new programs/facilities for the Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan; and

WHEREAS, the 2010 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan put forward a goal of having all residences within walking distance (one-half mile) of a neighborhood park; and

WHEREAS, Sunrise Park and Yauger Community Garden are the two existing community gardens in City of Olympia parks; and

WHEREAS surveys and public involvement as part of the drafting of the current Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan indicated constructing more community gardens was a main theme; and

AND WHEREAS, the City of Olympia 2016 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan recognizes the important role of community gardens for an increasing population urban density, for a community in which “Interest continues to grow for more community gardening opportunities.”

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Sustainable South Sound calls upon the City of Olympia to

SECTION 1. support the creation of sustainable community gardens on both public and private property and will establish policies and procedures to ensure the building and success of community gardens on both public and private property so that there is a community garden within one-half mile of every resident of the city; and

SECTION 2. work with [non-profit organizations, gardeners and neighborhood groups] to identify, and ensure ongoing availability of, public and private land suitable for community gardens.