City Slicker Farms was awarded $4,000,000 for a “West Oakland Park and Urban Farm” project that can start immediately and add to the 20,000 pounds of food City Slicker farms is growing in the community every year.

The funds come from Proposition 84, a California bond initiative approved in 2006, which reserves 5.4 billion dollars in bonds for projects involving water quality and access, park improvements, and natural resources and park preservation.  City Slicker Farms will use the funds to purchase a vacant lot in West Oakland at 28th and Peralta Streets, and will construct a farm and park there. 

At 1.4 acres, this will be City Slicker Farms’ largest farm site.  475 applicants from throughout California applied for the program and 62 were chosen for grant awards.  The “West Oakland Urban Farm and Park” was the second highest award in Alameda County and the 22nd largest award in the state. This new project will double City Slicker Farms’ operations and programs.

“This is a huge boon for the West Oakland community,” said Barbara Finnin, Executive Director of City Slicker Farms.  “Of the seven market farms we operate, this will be the largest and only one owned by City Slicker Farms.  We will be creating a legal structure to ensure that this park remains an open maintained space for all community members to enjoy in perpetuity.”

 The “West Oakland Urban Farm and Park” will contain an abundance of new open space as well as new recreational and educational opportunities.


 The community has requested that this park include lawn space (to provide ample room for youth of all ages to run, play, and exercise), a vegetable growing area, a community garden, a fruit orchard, a chicken coop, a beehive, a dog run, and a tot lot.  It will be open seven days a week, from morning until night without charge.  City Slicker Farms will collaborate with other community-based groups and individuals to provide ongoing programs and opportunities for the community at the site.

 The land itself was home to a paint factory for 50 years and is currently owned by Peralta Street, LLC. For the past five years, the site has been vacant and fenced off. In 2005-06, the site underwent a thorough Brownfield cleanup process. Under the supervision of the State of California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), the site was exhaustively tested, analyzed and ultimately cleaned up. In December 2006, DTSC issued a Certificate of Completion acknowledging successful completion of the cleanup.  In partnership with Peralta Street, LLC, City Slicker Farms will conduct ongoing assessments and maintenance of groundwater and soil. Peralta Street, LLC and City Slicker Farms will start the Purchase and Sale Agreement process in early 2011.  A community engagement and construction schedule will be announced after the purchase is completed.

See earlier story here: http://oaklandlocal.com/blogs/2010/17/peralta-hannah-vacant-lot-whats-next-use-case