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Your contribution is 100% tax deductible. You can donate by clicking the button below, or by writing a check payable to "City Slicker Farms" and mailing it to the following address:
City Slicker Farms
1625 16th Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Fitzgerald and Union Plaza Parks
ABOUT THE FARM
The new farm at Fitzgerald and Union Plaza Parks will provide open space for recreating, urban agriculture programming for all ages, and organically grown fruits and vegetables for West Oakland, prioritizing low-income community members. This is a community-based intergenerational project in partnership with City of Oakland Department of Parks and Recreation (OPR).
HISTORY
In late 2006, City of Oakland Councilmember Nancy Nadel asked City Slicker Farms to convert Fitzgerald and Union Plaza Parks into a Community Market Farm. This was met with overwhelming community support. City Slicker Farms was then awarded a matching grant of $100,000 through West Oakland Project Area Committee (WOPAC). Community members came together to support the project, such as Friends of Fitzgerald, and began a community-based fundraising campaign to match the grant. Simultaneously, City Slicker Farms and OPR convened a community-based design process for the park. Many monetary pledges were made for the park, but none came through due to the economic decline. City Slicker Farms began grant writing and was able to match the grant in 2009 with support from the Pacific and Forest Watershed Lands Stewardship Council, Community Development Block Grants, and Nancy Nadel. On March 31, 2009, Oakland City Council signed a resolution to transform Fitzgerald and Union Plaza Parks into a Community Market Farm and transferred the WOPAC funds to OPR.
Since April 2009, City Slicker Farms has been partnering with OPR to complete the project. In May 2009, City Slicker Farms convened a Community Advisory Committee made up of park neighbors and West Oakland residents to ensure that the design and programming meet the needs of the community. On November 1, 2009, City Slicker Farms broke ground and began constructing raised beds. Later that month, City Slicker Farms was asked to cease work until a final contract could be drafted by the City of Oakland. Due to cutbacks in the staff budget and layoffs, OPR was not able to finalize a contract until June 22, 2010. All WOPAC funds for the project are held by and administered through OPR.
TODAY
With the amazing help of volunteers, City of Oakland partners, local contractors, and City Slicker Farms staff, we have completed the major componets of the park. Thank you to everyone who supported this important project!
Check out pictures from Leslie Bennett of Star Apple Edible Gardens and Rebecca Meyer of Rebecca Meyer Photography.