When you need to get away from the stress of phones, bills and
traffic, head up to Vista Park Hill, off Third Street. Walk up the
hill and veer right, past the small sign for the community garden,
that is home to rows of carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, fruit trees and
an assortment of flowers. Stroll past the Scare Lady of the garden,
a colorful scarecrow decked out in skirts and Mardi Gras beads and
pause at the breathtaking view of downtown.
Hollister – When you need to get away from the stress of phones, bills and traffic, head up to Vista Park Hill, off Third Street. Walk up the hill and veer right, past the small sign for the community garden, that is home to rows of carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, fruit trees and an assortment of flowers. Stroll past the Scare Lady of the garden, a colorful scarecrow decked out in skirts and Mardi Gras beads and pause at the breathtaking view of downtown.
The garden was started in 1999 by Robin Pollard, who calls it Hollister’s best kept secret. And after five years of running the community garden, Pollard is again inviting community members this Saturday to select a plot where they can raise their own produce.
Pollard, a yoga instructor at the Hollister YMCA, began the project after hearing rumors the city might sell the land, which was nothing more than a bare lot with some scraggly weeds five years ago.
“I basically wanted to anchor the land…to extend the park and add more green space to our city,” said Pollard, 50.
She began by gardening on the property adjacent to her house, even though she had no permission to do so. Her neighbor, Dave Bulman, joined her and pretty soon others from the neighborhood and other parts of Hollister were coming to the garden to plant flowers, fruits and vegetables. Eventually, the Hollister Planning Department got wind of it and granted the group permission to use the land.
Today, 13 people garden on the land, which measures approximately half an acre and the founders hope others will join them.
“However much effort you want to put into it is fine,” said Pollard. “Some people come every other day, while others come once a week, water their plants and go home.”
Gardening experience is not necessary and all ages are invited to participate.
“It just gives you a sense of well-being … being outside and doing physical work,” said Pollard.
Bulman, who has rows of arugula, garlic and carrots planted in the garden, says he joined the project to save money on expensive produce. The forty-three-year-old was involved in a car accident two decades ago that left him permanently disabled and is living on a fixed income.
“We all know how expensive produce is, plus if you know you grew it, it tastes better,” he said.
The garden received $1,000 from the San Benito Foundation several years ago, which allowed Pollard to buy tools and set about tilling the land. Z-Best donated fertilizer and Rain For Rent Inc. gave the group sprinkler pipes while others chipped in with seeds and plants.
Pollard doesn’t know what the future of the land is, since it’s technically still owned by the city, but hopes the garden will reduce the chances it is sold to a private owner.
“In 100 years when the city is all built up, this will be a green spot people can come to and enjoy,” she said.
Karina Ioffee covers education and agriculture for the Free Lance. Reach her at (831)637-5566 ext. 335 or
ki*****@fr***********.com
