Ocean View Growing Grounds:
A Health Generator and Environmental Justice Learning Hub in our Community
The OVGG Community Health Generator and Environmental Justice Learning Hub is a 27,000 square foot piece of property in a low-income, community of color that sits between an Interstate and an auto repair shop on a busy bus line. The surrounding community has been declared a food desert by the USDA, a Food Swamp by the CDC, and a brownfield (i.e., soil deemed by the EPA to have a high probability of being contaminated). A survey of homes within this area identified that over 35% of the residents are growing food on their property. OVGG is working toward converting the entire neighborhood into a food system where knowledge is shared, and healthy food is grown and shared.
Visit us at 4540 Ocean View Blvd, San Diego, CA 92113
Garden Open Hours are 10:00AM-12:00PM on Saturdays
Vision
The vision that guides the development of the space came from the community after canvassing the neighborhood with local leaders and bringing over 100 people onto the space. Since then, the OVGG has involved over 200 residents, 400+ university students, 30 organizations, 10 businesses, City Council members, foreign visitors, and federal, state, and local funders. Residents have donated equipment, fruit trees, vegetable plants, and volunteered their time and expertise. The OVGG has transformed into an Environmental Justice Community Learning Hub focused on Nature-based Climate Solutions involving residents at no cost. The site has stations demonstrating Urban Gardening, Tree Planting, Composting, Food Forests, Water Harvesting, Bioswales and Mindfulness. An outdoor kitchen (close to completion) will promote health and wellness, providing cooking lessons utilizing organic fruits and vegetables grown on site. The site is developing a children’s area designed with children’s input, along with an outdoor Smart Classroom where we will conduct workshops on urban agriculture and Nature-based Climate Solutions. The workshop instructors are residents with content expertise, as well as faculty/scientists from UC San Diego. The Mindfulness Station focuses on reducing stress and contributing to psychological well-being by providing guided meditations in a seating area with a small outdoor library.
A Brief History
… - 1942
Years ago, the community of Mountain View had a large demographic of Japanese residents. At this lot was a Japanese Nursery owned by Japanese residents.
During World War II, Japanese citizens were displaced of their homes, and businesses around the U.S. The community of Mountain View was no exception, the Japanese nursery was no longer being maintained leaving behind a large Bonsai tree standing at the West of the garden.
2013
In 2013, the Global Action Research Center developed a partnership with a local real estate developer and the University of California-San Diego’s (UCSD) Bioregional Center for Sustainability Science, Planning and Design to convert a 2,700 square foot piece of property into a Community Health Generator and Environmental Justice Learning Hub, the Ocean View Growing Grounds (OVGG)
The property was vacant when the owner bought it 35 years ago and was vacant when the Global ARC acquired a long-term lease in 2015 for $1.00 per year. In ten years, the Global ARC, working closely with residents and our university partner, UC San Diego, transformed this vacant lot from a neighborhood problem into a community asset.
2014
In efforts to beautify the garden, the community decided to work with local San Diego artists to include a Community Mural representing the garden and it’s community.
Together they first brainstormed what visuals would be on the art piece with ideas including: demographic representation, fruits, vegetables, flowers, butterflies, chickens, and much more! The artist then sketched out the outlines and finally, in a lovely community event, everyone painted the mural.
About Food Deserts and Brownfields
The Ocean View Growing Grounds (OVGG) is purposely located in a food desert, or an area that has limited access to affordable and nutritious food. Not only does this neighborhood face the challenges associated with food deserts, but this area is also a brownfield. A brownfield is an area in which the soil is too polluted with toxins, such as lead, pesticides, or other chemicals that make the food that is grown in that soil too hazardous to eat.
Visit our Food Justice Page to learn more about food deserts and other topics relating to food justice.
Nature Based Climate Solutions
In addition to being a community garden, the OVGG is a demonstration site for nature-based climate solutions. These solutions assist in climate change mitigation by absorbing greenhouse gases as well as adaptation by using less water, increasing direct access to fresh foods, or restoring ecosystems.
Watch these videos to learn more about climate solutions!
Check out our Environmental Justice Page to learn more about environmental and climate justice.
