Rejuvenate Our P-Patches

What's Happening in 2024?

We are actively working on improvements at the following P- Patches:

• Cascade P-Patch – In construction; replacement of grapevine arbor, repair of paths into and throughout the patch, replacement of old compost bins, improving garden plot edging and improving common area by adding a picnic table.  
• Westcrest P-Patch - in construction/design, some aspects of this work could begin without the need for an overall design plan (i.e. removing & replacing compost bins)
• Oxbow P-Patch – in design- repair/replace garden shed and adding accessible beds.
• John C. Little P-Patch – in design. repairing retaining walls in specific areas of terraced gardens, restoring surfacing on paths and common areas and replacing old raised beds.
• Unpaving Paradise P-Patch – in design, adding accessible beds and improving drainage in and around the site.

What Happened in 2023?

We met in late 2022 to discuss potential improvements to P-Patch gardens and toured several gardens. Most recently we completed the replacement of the shed at Longfellow Creek P-Patch.

We have identified priority projects, Westcrest P-patch and Cascade P-patch for larger accessibility and facility renovation needs. Our goal is to begin the improvements this fall and winter. We also have several other sites that will have minor repairs and improvements. We will be sharing the progress in the next few weeks.

Cascade P-Patch Rejuvenation Project:

The rejuvenate Our P-Patches initiative (or program) funds the renewal of P-Patches around the city, updating aging garden infrastructure, increasing accessibility and expanding essential services. 

At Cascade P-patch, the following improvements were identified by gardeners:

• Accessibility improvements to pathways and compost bins
• Tree assessment and management
• Compost bin replacement/improvement

Translated documents:

• Spanish, Traditional Chinese

What was the first step?

Planning: Winter 2015 – Spring 2016 Completed

• The consultant team was led by Barker Landscape Architects, with Karen Braitmayer, a nationally known expert in ADA and Matt Dressler from Mountains to Sound GIS.
• P-Patch staff from the Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) and P-Patch site leaders provided the consultant background information. They researched and mapped demographics, created a scoring sheet for 91 site visits (all the P Patches), developed criteria options and drafted GIS maps showing underserved and underrepresented areas. This information was reviewed by SPR and P-Patch staff.
• A report was developed that assesses the condition of all P-Patch community gardens and, working with SPR and P-Patch staff, identifies major maintenance needs.
• The assessment was developed using information gathered, analyzed, and organized into a matrix. Assessment criteria are as follows:
  • Infrastructure
  • Neighborhood Demographics
  • Accessibility
  • Gardener Capacity
  • Safety and Security
  • Physical Characteristics
• Staff and the consultant examined priority locations to choose five for design and construction in 2016.

What work happened in 2016?

Five P-Patches were selected for improvements:

• Estelle Street P-Patch: The primary issue at this P-Patch was the lack of consistent water for the gardeners. This project added a designated water main and service for the gardeners. Before this, the gardeners had long periods of time in the summer when they had to bring their own water.  SPR, SPU, SDOT and DON contributed to the success of this work.
• Thomas Street P-Patch: The primary issues were safety, security, and accessibility.  The north end of the P-Patch was redesigned.
  • In order to make the P-Patch safer, the new design created a more open space and the shed was relocated to eliminate hiding spaces.  An eight-foot fence was added to the north side of the garden. This satisfies all the tenets of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).
  • To make the site more accessible, the shed was replaced and the patio was repaved. The shed now is accessible to all gardeners.
• New Holly Power Garden: Add fence and gates - this is basic P-Patch infrastructure.
• Squire Park: Nine hose bibs were relocated, in 2017, the gathering area will be made accessible from the sidewalk and the gate and fence repaired.
• Jackson Park: The project moved nine hose bibs out of the pathway and created ADA-compliant pathways and a gathering area with a compliant picnic table.

What happened in 2017?

In 2017, improvements were made at Hawkins, Longfellow Creek, Ravenna, Roosevelt, and Thistle P-Patches. The upgrades included replacing the plot and raised bed edging with new lumber, improved tool storage, new compost bins, accessible pathways, irrigation repairs, fence repairs, and new site furniture.

What happened in 2018?

In 2018, the Angel Morgan P-Patch received an improved entry with new paving and seating, accessible pathways and planters, tool storage, and compost bins.
The Evanston P-Patch received upgraded hose bibs, a replaced water line in the central pathway, and a resurfaced pathway to improve accessibility.
The Pinehurst P-Patch received new plot edging and new hose bibs.

What happened in 2019?

Seattle Parks and Recreation and P-Patch staff met to select projects for 2019. Project scopes were developed for work at Courtland Place, Fremont, Hillman City, John C Little, and New Holly Youth & Family. Courtland Place received a new modern system of water lines and hose bibs. Fremont received improvements to plot edging and retaining walls. Hillman City received raised garden spaces in most of the garden as well as accompanying soil and compost to address drainage concerns. John C. Little received a new compost bin. New Holly Youth & Family received improvements to paving in the central gathering area and a new picnic table.

What happened in 2020?

In early 2020, Seattle Parks and Recreation and P-Patch staff met to select projects for 2020. These projects are Beacon Bluff, Colman Park, Marra Farm, and Maa Nyei Lai Ndeic (My Mother's Garden). Beacon Bluff received improvements to the 'upper' commons area to create a hillside gathering and workspace between two new retaining walls. Improvements include a new toolshed, a new compost bin, and seating. Colman Park received retaining walls. Maa Nyei Lai Ndeic received garden plot markers and improvements to the entry gate. A new picnic area with three accessible picnic tables was created in the north common area. A garden perimeter fence was constructed around the full perimeter of the P-Patch garden at Marra Farm.

What happened in 2021?

In 2021, we replaced the irrigation system at Phinney Ridge and Delridge P-Patch received improvements to an accessible route throughout the garden.

What happened in 2022? 

Improvements to address damage by arson at Longfellow Creek P-Patch have been underway. We completed the design and are starting construction to carry over into 2023, during the lesser-used time for the garden.