Background
Catholic Social Services (CSS) and Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services (RAIS) received a federal grant to expand existing garden space at McPhee Gardens in the Mountain View neighborhood. CSS and RAIS have operated Fresh International Gardens (FIG) at this site since 2007. FIG helps new Alaskans develop English-language and small business skills, access fresh vegetables, and earn supplemental income. Produce grown here is sold at Grow North Farm, distributed to local food pantries, and sold at restaurants and grocery stores throughout Anchorage.
This project builds on public input captured in the
Davis Park Master Plan, approved in October 2017. The Plan recommends expanding community gardens in this area due to high demand for growing space.
Project Overview
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Phase I (complete in 2023): Double the amount of growing space currently available at FIG by increasing the site to the west, converting park open lawn area into agricultural space.
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Phase II (2024-2025): As funding allows, future project phases will focus on improving the amenities and area around the existing picnic shelter.
Timeline
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2014 - 2017: Public outreach for the
Davis Park Master Plan
- 2017: Approval of
Davis Park Master Plan by the Mountain View Community Council, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, and JBER
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May 2023: Presentation at Mountain View Community Council
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June 2023: Site survey, planning, and design
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July 2023: Presentation at Parks and Recreation Commission
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August – October 2023: Garden construction
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May 2024: Prepare space for planting
Funding
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2022: CSS earned grant funding for garden expansion through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Urban Agriculture and Innovation Program (UAIP)
About Davis Park
McPhee Gardens is part of the larger Davis Park in the northeast corner of the Mountain View neighborhood. The park is located on Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson (JBER) property and is leased to the Municipality of Anchorage for parks and recreation purposes. In 2015, Anchorage Parks and Recreation worked with a Community Advisory Group to create a master plan for Davis Park. The Plan received resolutions of support from the Mountain View Community Council, the Parks and Recreation Commission, JBER, and the Planning and Zoning Commission.
