by Antoinette Botsford

Special to the sounder

What is to be done with the lot, 50 by 100, bordered by Prune Alley on one end and North Beach Road on the other? Since being vacated by the Senior Center in 2003, “The Fern Street Extension” has been used in an ad hoc way by various groups interested in gardening, sustainability, and in raising food for the local food bank.

The Eastsound Sub-Area Plan currently includes a proposal to designate the area as a Transportation Hub, although the staff report for the plan maintains the recommendations are suggestions, not certainties. The County Department of Public Works purchased the lot some time ago, and there have been EPRC discussions about how “locked in” Public Works is to the design of this “Transportation Hub.”

A few years ago a part of this parcel (bordered by privately-owned lots) was gardened by “FEAST” – or “Farm Education and Sustainability for Teens” a summer program to educate young people in the ways of growing food.

Then another section of this same plot was dug and planted by a few enthusiasts who did not have garden space of their own. Enthusiasm dwindled when they realized that the well was no longer usable.

The existing garden is currently cultivated primarily by Jeanne Morris, who is also stewarding an inherited colony of bees; Jeanne voluntarily grows food for the Food Bank and for herself and flowers for the bees. Another civic-minded person gave 500 gallons of water, which has been very helpful, and others have given water from time to time. Even so, it has been necessary to leave much of the land fallow.

This modest plot in the heart of Eastsound could become a model garden to educate people in how to raise vegetables, conserve water, build compost, and encourage pollinators. Those doing the work could be volunteers who do not have their own land. In addition to the vegetable-flower garden, there are a number of old but still very productive fruit trees that would benefit from regular dormant spraying and pruning.

Many of us want to see this land become a demonstration garden in which all are welcome–a garden with a winding path going from Fern Street to North Beach Road, with a bench or two. Near the gate could be a sign explaining the purpose of the garden and contact information. In the best of worlds there would be a paid employee to coordinate volunteers, tend to water issues, and schedule times for planting and maintenance. The input of local artists would contribute to the aesthetic pleasure of such a garden.

Orcas garden clubs could provide advice and some of the materials. Water rights might be worked out with adjacent property owners, and perhaps a special rate could be realized along with a practical catchment system. The Eastsound Planning Review Committee is meeting on Aug. 7 at 3:30 p.m. in the Eastsound firehouse.  Come and share your thoughts.