Defunct Pool to be Transformed into Community Garden

Jason Baumgarten wants to turn the dirt-filled pool at Lady Bug Park into a community garden. The longtime Rohnert Park resident took his proposal before city Parks and Recreation officials this week, and so far, the project is looking like it'll get a green light.

"It's promising, but we haven't finalized anything yet," said John McArthur, director of public works and community services in Rohnert Park. "The mechanism we're probably going to use the Adopt-a-Park program, so he'll be in charge of weeding it and stuff but it'll be open to the public — that way it's a win-win."

"The land is just sitting there, doing nothing, it's a shame," McArthur said. 

Baumgarten wrote a letter to the Parks and Recreation Commission earlier this week, in which he asked the city for a key to the locked gate and for permission to start the garden.

"I have been living in Rohnert Park and attending meetings at The Lady Bug Clubhouse for over four years and am grateful as well as many others to have this facility available," Baumgarten wrote. "I believe the garden would supply vegetables ... and gratification to all. "

"I went to the city because I saw this empty space and I wanted to clean it up," Baumgarten said.

The commission OK'd the project as long as the city drafts some kind of memorandum of understanding indicating that it would be a temporary use of  a public facility.

"It sounds like a good idea to me," said commissioner Bonnie Black. "I think it's wonderful to be able to make use of our community parks as much as we can and this is sort of a sad, dead area."

Guy Miller, the city's recreation services manager said a similar garden in L Section has been successful.

"It's actually a good site, there's already water there and it's fenced in for control," Miller said. "There's another garden on Lilac where the group maintains the entire garden with little assistance from the city."

"My gut tells me we'll end up doing it," McArthur said.

Ladybug Pool is just one of Rohnert Park's pools out of commission. Parks and recreation officials confirmed that Alicia Pool and  this year due to severe budget cuts. 

Editor's note: Honeybee Pool is open year-round and Benicia Pool will open June 11 through Labor Day weekend.