1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Gopher Wire Prevents Holes

5. 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

6. 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 ' 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

8. 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.

10. Seattle: Beacon Hill Food Forest

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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