The Ogden Avenue Gardens project aims to transform this neglected space into a community asset through strategic rehabilitation and sustainable design.

The objective of the initial project is to transform the unaccepted street section between Folsom and Gates Streets into a neighborhood garden/park, which will provide a neighborhood green space and a playground for the adjacent daycare center. The rain gardens will be located at both ends of the block (intersections at Ogden/Folsom and Ogden/Gates). They will provide additional landscaping and a way to capture and filter stormwater runoff and then allow it to replenish the groundwater.

Our work has consisted of evaluating the watershed dimensions, sizing the rain garden, calculating the amount of stormwater captured, and sizing the rain garden. Additionally, we have calculated the amount of stormwater from the adjacent homes’ roofs, which we can channel and store into cisterns as part of a rainwater harvesting program, and design park paths using absorbent materials that will also capture rainwater through the porous pavement, for example.

Ogden Avenue Gardens – Bernal Heights

Ogden Avenue Gardens Revitalization Project

Current Site Conditions

The Ogden Avenue site currently presents significant challenges that impact both neighborhood safety and quality of life:

Frequent illegal dumping of household trash and discarded items
Abandoned vehicles are regularly left on the property
Excessive accumulation of debris and weeds
Overwhelming maintenance burden on local residents
Limited resources of the four neighboring households to manage the site
Deteriorating conditions that attract further negligent behavior

Project Vision

The Ogden Avenue Gardens project aims to transform this neglected space into a community asset through strategic rehabilitation and sustainable design:

Convert problematic vacant land into managed green space
Create natural barriers to prevent illegal dumping
Establish low-maintenance, sustainable landscaping
Implement security features to deter unwanted activities
Develop a manageable maintenance plan for residents
Foster community pride and engagement

Scope of Work

The comprehensive renovation will address both immediate concerns and long-term sustainability:

Site cleanup and remediation
Installation of protective barriers and lighting
Landscape design and implementation
Drainage and irrigation systems
Community access points and pathways
Sustainable maintenance infrastructure

Financial Requirements

Total Project Budget: $495,000

The budget allocation will cover:

Initial site cleanup and preparation
Professional design services
Materials and construction
Security features and lighting
Sustainable irrigation systems
Project management and oversight

Community Impact

This transformation will:

Improve neighborhood safety and appearance
Increase adjacent property values
Reduce maintenance burden on local residents
Create a model for similar urban rehabilitation projects
Strengthen community cohesion and pride

Timeline and Implementation

The project will proceed in strategic phases to ensure efficient resource use and minimal neighborhood disruption. Each phase will incorporate community feedback and adjust to emerging needs while maintaining progress toward our core objectives.

Sustainability Plan

Long-term success will be ensured through:

Designed-in low maintenance requirements
Sustainable native plantings
Community stewardship program
Scheduled maintenance protocols
Partnership with local environmental groups

This project represents a critical opportunity to transform a neighborhood liability into a community asset through strategic investment and sustainable design.

Ogden Avenue Gardens is a Greening Projects project.