History
In 1996, Daisy Sonju and her family donated a 9.3 acre parcel near Parkside Elementary School, formerly her family home, to the City of Des Moines. Sonju was a local elementary school teacher and raised her family on the property. At one time, the family had dairy cows on the site and the back of the barn was a milking shed. The City drew up a Master Plan to develop the property as a city park that included a community garden, but due to lack of funding was unable to move forward with the plan. In 2009, interest began to build to clean up the overgrown orchard and create the community garden. Portions of the property had been cleared in the past, however no long-term plan was formed to maintain what was cleared. In 2010 and 2011, with new volunteer leadership, the City, in partnership with Des Moines Legacy Foundation, Des Moines Parks and Recreation, Des Moines Rotary Club, and the Des Moines Area Food Bank, cleared parts of the orchard, started work on the trees, and completed the community garden and pea patch. The Vision
Improving the health of our community by reconnecting people to their environment. This includes providing space to grow fresh fruits and vegetables for local families and the community food coalition, offering educational gardening classes to children and adults, and giving the neighborhood a place to come together. The Garden
Daisy’s Garden is a combined pea patch and community garden, with demonstration beds available to local elementary school groups, an herb garden, seating areas, planting space for community food needs, and senior-focused projects. There are now 22 plots for yearly rental. The Orchard
The existing orchard, on the northwest corner of the property, was planted about 50 years ago. The trees include apples, cherries, pears, and plums. We continue to remove brush and invasive weeds. We have planted many new trees and blueberries. Orchard trees may be available for adoption, please contact the Steward. Caretakers will learn how to prune and maintain their trees for maximum harvest, and will be able to keep their tree’s fruit for home use. Extra fruit may be donated to local needs! The orchard consists mainly of apple trees planted 40 or more years ago. Friends of Sonju Park is removing invasive species, identifying salvageable trees, and replanting some trees over the next year. The Woods and Streams
The 2003 Master Plan envisioned a developed park, with interpretive trails around the stream wetlands, a connecting trail up to South 20th Ave, park benches and shelter, and other facilities. We want to move forward with this vision in the next ten years, creating a vibrant community gathering area, and opportunities to learn about our local ecosystem. There will need to be extensive wetlands permit work done before development can begin above the creek. A short walking trail wraps around behind the orchard, coming out at the back of the garden. Community Benefits
•Promotes healthy eating in the community, especially for our children, through hands-on education programs
•Feeds the hungry through contributions of produce to the local food coalition (like the Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, and donations to Senior Housing Areas)
•Provides low-cost growing space for gardeners
•Improves the sense of community in the neighborhood by providing a gathering place
•Improves local property values by creating an attractive and desirable property
Contacts
To volunteer, donate or sponsor, please contact Jos Johnson, Garden Steward, at [email protected] or call the City of Des Moines Parks, Recreation and Senior Services at (206) 870-6527. More about the project and how to make a tax deductible contribution may also be found at www.desmoineswa.gov and www.desmoineslegacy.org.
