Title
Urban Farm Park Feasibility Study Briefing and Discussion
Recommended Action
To receive a briefing on the Urban Farm Park Feasibility Study
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on the Urban Farm Park Feasibility Study
Staff Contact:
Sylvana Niehuser, Director of Parks Planning & Maintenance, 360.753.8068
Presenter(s):
Sylvana Niehuser, Director of Parks Planning & Maintenance, 360.753.8068
Background and Analysis:
The accessibility of local food has long been important to the Olympia community (as evidenced by the creation of the Olympia Farmers’ Market). In the City's Comprehensive Plan, several goals and policies reflect the community's values regarding agriculture. These goals and policies have guided the work of the Olympia Farmland Work Group. The idea for an Olympia Urban Farm Park emerged from recommendations to preserve local farmland by the Olympia Farmland Work Group in 2021 and the Land Use and Environment Committee of the Olympia City Council.
In September of 2023 I briefed PRAC on the Urban Farm Park Feasibility Study project and the public feedback received to date. I presented an overview of the process and next steps.
This presentation is to bring forward a draft of the feasibility report and receive feedback from PRAC before presenting the draft to Council at their study session on March 26th.
Comprehensive Plan or Parks, Arts & Recreation Plan Connection:
Land Use Chapter
GL25 Local Thurston County food production is encouraged and supported to increase self-sufficiency, reduce environmental impact, promote health, and the humane treatment of animals, and support the local economy.
PL25.3 Collaborate with community partners to ensure that everyone within Olympia is within biking or walking distance of a place to grow food.
PL25.4 Encourage for-profit gardening and farming in the community.
PL25.8 Work with community organizations to develop strategies, measure, and set goals for increasing local food production.
PL25.9: Work with local governments throughout the region to help protect existing agricultural lands and develop and promote a vibrant local food economy.
Parks Chapter:
PR9.1 Provide opportunities that promote a mentally and physically active lifestyle and healthy food choices, including participation in local food production.
Natural Environment Chapter:
PN8.7 Reduce energy use and the environmental impact of our food system by encouraging local food production.
Climate Analysis:
Regenerative agriculture practices can increase carbon sequestration while providing other benefits. Locally produced food requires less carbon-intensive transport.
Equity Analysis:
The public engagement portion focused on interviewing organizations that work with marginalized populations and understanding the agricultural needs of those communities. Site criteria mapping included transit routes, median household income, and BIPOC residents.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Those who are connected to urban agriculture showed the biggest interest in the Urban Farm Park Feasibility Study. This included organizations like the Thurston County Food Bank, Thurston Conservation District, and Olympia School District. The broader community that participated in surveys and engaged with staff generally supported the idea of pea patches, community gardens and/or urban farming but were not asked to rank or prioritize this idea against other needs.
Options:
1. Receive the briefing and share feedback to City Council.
2. Receive the briefing and do not share feedback to City Council.
Financial Impact:
The Feasibility Study contract is for $69,539. Acquisition and development of an Urban Farm Park would be several million dollars depending on the scale of the farm.
Attachments:
Link to Engage Olympia Page
Link to Feasibility Report