Cloverdale staff recommends Ferber Park site after garden survey; council asks for budget and layout by April

City staff told the Cloverdale City Council that the community is interested but divided on a proposed community garden, and recommended developing a pilot garden at the southwest corner of Ferber Park.

PIO Maloney summarized outreach and said roughly 200 people completed the two‑week survey. Responses split: about 70 said yes, 69 said no, and 74 said maybe. Water and sunlight were the primary site criteria; respondents also emphasized security, maintenance and equitable access. Staff highlighted that Ferber Park scored highest among city‑owned options and noted existing on‑site water, restrooms and parking as reasons it is the most suitable city property.

Superintendent Hector Galvan outlined practical advantages: proximity to parking, ADA access, nearby restrooms and existing city maintenance resources; staff said much of the build could be done in‑house, limiting cost to materials and a few rentals. Staff also flagged the need for storage space, raised beds to accommodate different ages and options to prune trees and add picnic tables.

Council members and public commenters discussed priorities including a downtown garden for walkability, giving priority to residents without yards, and relying on a volunteer management committee. Council directed staff to reach out to interested respondents, develop a layout and bring a proposed budget amendment to the April 8 consent calendar to move the project forward; a management plan and more detailed design were suggested for a later meeting (April 25 was discussed as a target). Several residents volunteered to serve on a garden committee and offered donations and volunteer labor.

What’s next: staff will return with a layout, cost estimates and a proposed budget amendment that council may place on the April 8 consent calendar to authorize initial work and outreach.