I never pass up the opportunity to push a wheelbarrow full of book. They are for stocking up a new little free library that was built by a local youth for his Eagle Scout project. He planned, designed, built, fundraised, and led a team of volunteers to install it in the local community garden. I had the pleasure of supporting the project as a member of Menlo Park Rotary Club. The club manages the garden in partnership with the city.

The Belle Haven Community Garden is a service project of Menlo Park Rotary Club. Created in 2015, the garden is community-operated on land owned by the City of Menlo Park at Ivy and Market Streets, a short walk from Belle Haven Elementary school. Thirty raised beds give locals access to land to grow food. Local residents may sign up (at no cost) to cultivate garden beds for one year at a time.

Volunteers from the Rotary Club help gardeners with periodic maintenance and repairs, equipment, weed cleanups, and paying the water bill. Master Gardeners provide technical assistance during planting and harvest.

Today we pulled weeds and spread mulch provided by the City of Menlo Park landscape division. The Rotary Club has funded various improvements to the garden in recent years, including a tool shed, security gate, information kiosk, and bench seating. A picnic area is planned in the future— there’s a perfect spot for one under the magnificent oak tree. An oasis of community agriculture in a rapidly urbanizing region.