Sunset Resident Creates Guide to Community Gardens

By Ed Moy

"Gardens bloom and prosper because of the dedicated work of those living in the neighborhood who not only garden, but who have become stewards of the land to preserve it for generations to come," states Sunset District resident Alex Hatch in her recently published guide book "Cracks in the Asphalt: Community Gardens of San Francisco."

In the book, Hatch lists 30 gardens in a variety of neighborhoods around the City, including three in the Sunset District: - the Sunset Community Garden at 37th Avenue and Pacheco Street, Garden for the Environment on Seventh Avenue and Lawton Street, and the adjacent White Crane Springs Garden on Locksley Avenue.

"I think the gardens are as unique as the gardeners themselves. This makes each garden unique," Hatch said.

"The three Sunset gardens are quite different from one another and, therefore, each is worth a visit. The Sunset Community Garden on 37th is in the site which once was a Victory Garden and has all the loveliness of a garden in the fog. The Garden for the Environment on Seventh is a great spot to visit and to take a class in composting, as well as general gardening and beekeeping. White Crane Springs, nestled in the trees at the end of Locksley, is indeed a lovely spot to walk and explore.

"This book was written so that the residents and visitors would visit neighborhoods they were unfamiliar with and get to know them and to see these lovely city treasures, which are tucked away on hillsides and between tall buildings," Hatch continued. "These gardens make the City a stronger and more vibrant place to live, work and visit."

A native San Franciscan, Hatch has lived in the Sunset District for 40 years. Her experiences with community gardening began at the Argonne Community Garden in the Richmond District around 15 years ago.

"But then I became a gardener myself, so I stopped because of time restraints," Hatch said.

"Since then, I have done this book because I think the gardens are extremely important to the health of the City and those who live here. I want people to know where they are so they can visit them, become members, and protect them."

According to Hatch, the inspiration to create the guide book came after visiting Miller Memorial Grove Garden in Bernal Heights.

"My partner Emily Charles did an interview with a beekeeper for a radio show on urban beekeeping at Miller Memorial Grove Garden and liked it so much that we went back together to visit the garden. That is how the idea was born," Hatch said.

"I thought it might be a good idea to produce a guide book on some of the gardens. This project was begun in 2006 and the book was published in November, 2008."

However, the book was far from a one-person project, as Hatch includes dozens of colorful photographs taken by local photographer Stacey J. Miller and detailed maps organized by Kim Beeman.

Due to the book's localized neighborhood appeal and extensive use of color photos, Hatch was unable to find a major book publisher willing to take on the project, so she had to self-publish, which involved additional assistance from long-time friend and publishing expert Philip Rutzick, along with advisor Angela Rutzick.

Hatch also garnered support from her friend Rebecca Rees, who inspired her to create her own publishing company, Pasha Press, named after Hatch's cat. Pam Pierce, a local author, teacher and community garden activist, wrote the book's foreword.

As for local residents interested in starting a community garden or getting involved in community gardening, Hatch recommends visiting the San Francisco Gardeners Resource Organization's Web site at www.sfgro.org or e-mailing the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department at marvinyee@sfgov.org.

"If there is a piece of land near in your neighborhood which is neglected, it is first necessary to find out who owns that land. Most gardens are owned by one department or another of the City," Hatch said. "The next step is to communicate with neighbors to get support from a group of would-be gardeners. Then go to the City and start the process of getting permits. It normally takes about two years."

Sunset residents can find Hatch's book at The Bookshop at West Portal. It is also widely available at other bookstores throughout the City as well. For additional information about the book, or to find a complete list of bookstores it is available at, go to the Web site at www.cracksintheasphalt.com.

Editor's note: Although Hatch does not sell books directly over the Internet, if someone is unable to get to a bookstore they can contact her directly and she will send a book to them.