If you drive past Harvest Hills, you may notice some work being done. In the fall of 2016 a group of Saratoga Springs residents in the Harvest Hills HOA proposed the creation of a Community Garden. Bryan King, one of the organizers and a resident of Harvest Hills, explains ” The proposal was to build something in an open space that was native. It was planned so it would be self-sustaining after a few years. It would give a chance for people to learn from experienced gardeners, have a share of fresh fruit and vegetables by working in the garden, buy a zucchini for dinner, or renting a bed with water to have a family garden.”
They pitched their idea to the Harvest Hills HOA. King continues, “The HOA Board liked the idea and allocated budget for the first phase. Work was begun in early spring, clearing the lot and building rock walls to terrace the land. We found many rocks and small boulders as work began. The work was more difficult than expected. When we went to put in irrigation it was difficult to find access to water. We worked for a long time with the city and found the location of the stub and got a connection to metered water.”
King attributes that success of the project to the volunteers. “The garden wouldn’t be anywhere close to what it is without all the volunteers who have helped so much. More than 200 people have volunteered at the garden so far. They built, put a roof on, and painted a shed, put up a grapevine fence, built rental beds, put in tons of hours moving rocks, and building rocks walls, and chipping sage brush. Many people have offered long hours doing things for less than they usually charged for their work. We are grateful too all of them!”
Jim Miller, Saratoga Springs Mayor and Stephen Willden, Saratoga Springs City Council have worked on the project as well, they made this comment about their experience. “We are both grateful for the opportunity to work on such a great community project. We believe that the best way to build a community is to roll up your sleeves and work side-by-side with your neighbors. We want to continue to highlight these type of volunteer projects throughout the community over the next four years.”
The garden currently has perennial beds and rental beds with water ready. King continues, “We will be planting perennials, putting dirt into the rental beds and building some berry beds before the ends of the year. We have a limited number of rental beds available for $25 for a 4’x8’ plot, to get one please email harvesthillsgardens@gmail.com.”
If you would like more information on this project, you can visit the Harvest Hills Gardens FB page at: http://www.facebook.com/harvesthillsgardens or email them at harvesthillsgardens@gmail.com. The Harvest Hills HOA is also considering other improvements. You can also follow the activities of the HOA on their FB page as well: https://www.facebook.com/hhmasterhoa.
This is a great example of residents, city government, and HOAs working together to create workable solutions for people in the area. I hope that other communities will get together and follow the example of what the Harvest Hills area is doing in Saratoga Springs.
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.