Submitted by Alberto Solorio, Crown Heights - Community Resource Specialist, City of Oceanside Housing and Neighborhood Services

At the heart of Crown Heights neighborhood of the City of Oceanside lies the Community Garden managed by Kevin Mendoza, Community Resource Specialist. The garden stands proudly as a beacon of community empowerment and environmental stewardship.

The Crown Heights garden is becoming a dynamic green space fostering community, traditional practices, individual empowerment, and food sovereignty.  The City of Oceanside is steadfast in its commitment to meet accessibility standards at the garden, which reflects a broader commitment to inclusivity and ensures that everyone, regardless of physical ability, can participate in and enjoy what the space has to offer.

Community input has been integral to various aspects of the garden, from the selection of new trees for the orchard to the inclusion of special features such as the birdhouses.   The creation of these birdhouses was an intergenerational project that brought together different age groups to contribute to the garden’s ambiance; enthusiastic youth were in charge of selecting where to place the birdhouses within trees that they had planted.

The garden’s expansion goes beyond traditional programming. By collaborating with local institutions such as the Oceanside Library and Senior Center, it provides dedicated spaces for youth and elder gardening projects. Youth are given the opportunity to develop a complex understanding of the natural world while nearby elders can engage in gardening activities designed to suit their needs.

A standout feature to be added to the garden is its new shade structure, which will be constructed through a community “barn raising” event. This structure will  provide much-needed relief from the sun while serving as a venue for community gatherings, enhancing social bonds, and providing a space for educational and celebratory events.

By hosting an Earth Day celebration at the garden, the team has also underscored its commitment to education and food sovereignty by emphasizing the community’s right to healthy, culturally appropriate food grown through ecologically sound practices. The event ensured that even those without a personal garden plot can benefit from the garden's offerings.

Overall, the Crown Heights Community Garden exemplifies how a well-managed community space can foster inclusivity, environmental responsibility, and collective well-being. Under Kevin Mendoza’s stewardship, it continues to grow and thrive, serving as a model for other communities striving to achieve similar goals.