Thanks to a grant awarded from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Daily Acts is working with Burbank Housings’ Carrillo Place Community to create a demonstration garden in the play area. As a part of this process, Daily Acts and Burbank Housing hosted two listening sessions to gain insight on how to create a functionable space based on residents needs and desires. The two listening sessions were hosted in both English and Spanish, so that all residents could actively participate. The goal of the first listening session was to build a relationship with the Carrillo Place Community, while gaining insight on what residents imagined for the potential demonstration garden.
The first listening session was hosted on January 29th, 2020. Residents were enthusiastic about being part of the design process! They split into smaller groups and, with the aid of plant cards and plant pamphlets from other low water-use garden sites, they began choosing and placing plants on a map of the new garden area. Residents unanimously agreed on wanting colorful flowers such as California Poppy to line the walkway. Many residents brought their children who also participated in plant selection— one child really wants carnivorous plants and 4-leaf clover because they are a lucky plant. Residents feel that the garden space should be inviting for kids, that texture of plants is important, and that the garden should be colorful!
Based off of the findings from this first listening session, Daily Acts Programs Coordinators Annie Silverman and Sarina Consulter created a base map and planting plan, to be reviewed by residents in a second listening session in February 2020.
