Identifying Priority Locations for Community Gardens in Bothell, WA

Abstract

Community gardens are used to address climate change and ensure food access to vulnerable populations through food sovereignty. Bothell, Washinton’s Imagine Bothell Comprehensive Plan contains two policies that seek to address lack of food access for vulnerable populations through the implementation and mapping of community gardens. This study investigates community input on the preferences of community gardens sites and support of this type of government led project. Surveys were given to the public in-person in downtown Bothell as well as virtually though a survey platform that gave insight into the best locations for community garden implementation at the city level given the social and ecological needs of the city. Guided by previous research on community gardens that considered land tenure, social perceptions, inequity, and successes and failures of this type of project, this study was able to provide a socially and ecologically relevant survey to the public that was then analyzed for policy recommendations for the City of Bothell. The findings of the study indicate an overwhelming support for community gardens with high projections for engagement once implemented and a preference towards public land use for these spaces on school grounds and public parks with close attention being given to ensuring transportation access to these spaces.