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 – 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.

Ogden Avenue Gardens Revitalization Project

  • Current Site ConditionsThe Ogden Avenue site currently presents significant challenges that impact neighborhood safety and quality of life.
  • Project Vision – The Ogden Avenue Gardens project aims to transform this neglected space into a community asset through strategic rehabilitation and sustainable design.

At Greening Projects, we transform urban spaces into sustainable, vibrant environments that nurture nature and community. Through professional expertise and collaborative partnerships, we empower communities to reimagine and revitalize their neighborhoods through strategic environmental enhancement.

We envision thriving cities where green spaces are seamlessly integrated into the urban fabric, creating healthier, more sustainable communities for current and future generations.

For more information or to volunteer, please visit https://www.ogdenavenue.org/

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