Rebuild Potrero

2nd Annual Community Action Day

Saturday, August 21, 2010 - 4:54am

The Second Annual Community Action Day on August 21st was another big success. Volunteers from all over Potrero Hill helped install a raised-bed garden in cedar containers at the Family Resource Center, planting vegetables and installing a timed drip irrigation system. Parents and students from Starr King Elementary also came out to patch the gopher holes on the field at Potrero Rec Center to make it more hospitable for soccer playing. Community members and residents made another batch of beautiful commemorative tiles, which will find a home in the rebuilt Terrace & Annex. There was BBQ and music, with jumpy houses and other kids’ games. This year had the added element of an outdoor movie night with an evening showing of “The Princess and the Frog.” Those who braved the winter weather enjoyed popcorn, ice-cream and the new Disney classic on a large outdoor screen. It was a positive family event with people from across Potereo Hill. Thanks to all who donated time and materials to make the Second Annual Community Action Day possible. See you all next year!

Community Garden Workshop

Saturday, August 14, 2010 - 6:43am

On Saturday, August 14th a group of Potrero Terrace & Annex residents, neighbors, urban farming enthusiasts and experts came together to explore and envision possibilities for a Community Garden at Potrero Terrace and Annex. Marc Tognotti and Kenoli Oleari from the Institute of the Commons (IOTC) facilitated a “World Café” discussion where residents, neighbors and experts could weigh in on plans for a community garden that will be developed in stages over the next months and years. People were interested in how a garden can promote food independence and neighborhood beautification, as well as provide education and jobs for young people. The wide range of perspectives was collected on a “Visions Wall” and recorded to aid future planning efforts.

The meeting covered a range of topics from appropriate plants for the San Francisco climate to collective engagement around the community garden project. Many advocated paid position for teens to maintain the garden, field trips to find out more about other community gardens in the region, and increased engagement with the Potrero Terrace and Annex resident associations to forward the goal of “One Potrero.”

The plans developed at this meeting have already been set in motion, with a raised bed garden being installed behind the Potrero Hill Family Resource Center at 85 Turner Terrace on August 21st. Marc and Kenoli have prepared a report from the garden workshop which is downloadable here.