An Edible Forest Garden in Golden Gate Park Golden Gate Food Forest -an alternative, sustainable proposal for the Beach Chalet soccer fields and adjoining land

Intended Goals To keep the Beach Chalet soccer fields natural grass To improve the fields with thick meadow grass to create a manicured turf of California native grass species To increase wildlife habitat and native plantings on edge To create a food forest on the adjoining piece of land To grow an edible paradise for recreation, education around sustainability, growing food, and enjoyment

How will needs be met? Diverse native grasses will replace shabby grass Community agreements for use of school fields Screen mesh will prevent gopher holes with raised soil Retaining pastoral integrity in recreational space Safe athletic playing fields with natural ecology Low-LED lights that don't upset birds and wildlife Open spaces without fencing and natural built benches Native hedge and wildlife habitat connects park to ocean

Gopher Wire Prevents Holes

Native Grass Field Bronze Bentgrass: thick meadow grass, attractive flowers; mowing creates fine manicured turf Coast Rock Grass: uncommon due to habitat loss; suitable for grassland meadows and perennials beds (bright pink blooms) Coast Range Oniongrass: perennial bunch grass Scratchgrass Muhly: fine textured, spreading meadow Deer Grass Pine Bluegrass

Native Edge and Wildlife Habitat Classic Western Columbine: hummingbird fodder (extract of root used by indigenous for energy and stamina) Pacific Madrone: edible berries, grows 15-120' high Manzanitas: grow well in clay soils Yarrow: medicinal herb used for cuts and abrasions California Buckeye: deciduous shrubs and trees, drought tolerant, ground seeds used to stun fish, beautiful flowers White Alder: thrives in riparian zones, nitrogen fixing roots, timber and fire wood, smoke meats and fish, interior finish

What is a Forest Garden? A Food Forest is a gardening technique or land management system that mimics a woodland ecosystem but substitutes in edible trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals.  Fruit and nut trees are the upper level, while below are berry shrubs, edible perennials and annuals.  Companions or beneficial plants are included to attract insects for natural pest management while some plants are soil amenders providing nitrogen and mulch.  Together they create relationships to form a forest garden ecosystem able to produce high yields of food with less maintenance.

Seattle: Beacon Hill Food Forest

Portland: City Repair Projects Portland's City Repair Village Building and Place Making Project has been Widely Successful in Implementing Ecological Urban Designs Facilitated by the People: Gathering Places Outdoor Classrooms Market Gardens Nurseries Orchard and Poultry Pastures Greenhouses

Pollinator Attractors Growing food for butterflies and larvae, hummingbirds, bees Yarrow: nectar for adult butterflies Columbine: food for hummingbirds Butterfly larvae eat: broccoli, cabbage, mustard, artichoke, fennel Marigolds: attract butterflies and deter pests

Coastal Fruit and Nut Trees Almond Blueberry Grape Asian Pear Loquat Pineapple Guava Quince Tangerine Apple Calamondin Kumquat Lemon Persimmon Nectarine/Peach Raspberry Wintergreen Blackberry Fig Pear Lime Mandarin Orange Plum Strawberry Passion Fruit

Development Plan vs. Sustainable Design Development plan is expensive and detrimental for ecology Astro-turf has to be repeatedly replaced Lighting unaffordable in an energy crisis Lighting drives away local birds Astro-turf interrupts flow of air and water in soil Stadium seating obstructs natural coastline

Benefits of Sustainable Alternative Less expensive Favorable to local economy and ecology: supports local nurseries, eco-tourist industry, and provides much needed habitat for local wildlife, butterflies, and birds Education around sustainability, ecology, and sustenance Supports claim that San Francisco is the greenest city in North America Seattle is installing America's first public food forest on 7 acres of park land

Next Steps of Action Let's keep soccer fields natural and save money Let's come together for the community to co-create an edible food forest on vacant park land Design the space through open-input forums Source native grasses and plants from local nurseries Bring together groups of volunteers with city workers to implement a new sustainable alternative design

Sources Bay Natives: The San Francisco source for native plants Beacon Food Forest: Seattle, Washington City Repair: Portland, Oregon Edible Forest Gardens: Dynamics Ecological Design Gophers Limited: Felton, CA and San Francisco Bay Area Harrison Design Landscape Architecture Urban Permaculture Institute – SF Sunset Western Garden Book: Sunset Books Golden Gate Gardening: Pam Peirce

Who will design this? San Francisco Permaculture Guild Hayes Valley Farm Council Neighbors and Community Members Park Gardeners San Francisco Urban Agriculture Alliance Planet Drum Bioregional Network Transition SF Accredited Landscape Architects Certified Permaculture Designers