The Yolo County Master Gardeners are trained volunteers with the University of California Cooperative Extension program. They extend the ability of the local UC Cooperative Extension office to provide practical scientific horticulture and gardening information to the citizens of California.  Master Gardeners are key volunteer leaders for the Central Park Gardens renovation project.

The City of Davis Parks and Community Services Department is working closely with the volunteers to help plan the renovation of the gardens in Central Park.  Community Projects Specialist Bob Stephenson manages the City’s Volunteer Adopt-a-Park program and is the main liaison for the project.  The City has provided staff support and funding for irrigation improvements, path improvements, and mulching and planting projects.

The Davis Farm to School Connection is a program of the Davis Farmers Market Foundation that works to support gardens in the schools, bring produce from local farms to school cafeterias, and take classes on farm field trips.  In addition to improving children’s agricultural literacy, their programs give children a hands-on connection with science and nature and help improve their nutrition.  The Davis Farm to School Connection is also interested in using the gardens in Central Park as a demonstration site.  They are providing volunteers to help with the planning and implementation of the renovation and will ultimately coordinate school field trips and informal family activities in the gardens.  Several active members of the Davis Farm to School Connection are also Master Gardeners.  The organization has committed $1000 of their 2006 fundraising revenue to the Central Park Gardens project.

Founded in 2005, the Davis Garden Club is a local member of the statewide California Garden Clubs.  It's mission is to promote gardening, encourage civic beautification, and participate in projects to enhance the community.  The club meets monthly and often hosts informative talks by local horticultural speakers.  The Davis Garden Club is supporting the Central Park Gardens by providing volunteers and funds for garden projects and events.

The UC Davis Arboretum is supporting the project through staff consultations and advice.  The Arboretum is lending garden tools to Master Gardeners for Central Park work days until they can get their own tools on site.

Project Coordinator: Emily Griswold, community volunteer and assistant director of horticulture at the UC Davis Arboretum

Volunteer Garden Designers:
Cheryl H. Sullivan, Landscape Architect #3954, Cunningham Engineering Corporation
Laurie Opfell, garden designer, The Secret Garden Landscape Design

Project Contributors