In 1999, tired of having unused city land next to her home on Park Hill, Robin Pollard started a community garden at the top of Hill Street in Hollister.
Inspired by community gardens she had seen while traveling on the East Coast, Pollard reached out to a city employee who told her she would not be able to use the land. Wanting to see how other community gardens started, Pollard emailed a representative of a garden in Baltimore who told her that most community gardens were started by squatting.
Hearing this Pollard, with the help of her husband, David, got to work clearing weeds and started creating a garden that would be open to the public. “The weeds were four feet high and there was trash, so I wanted to do something positive with (the land),” Pollard said.
While Pollard was developing the land, she was approached by another government employee who told her if she was serious about creating a community garden that she would need the City Council’s approval.
19 years later the Vista Park Hill Community Garden has had 39 different participants and has seen a variety of plants grown. All members who participate in the garden must sign a waiver and agree to use no chemicals or pesticides, as the garden is organic. Upon approval for the garden, Pollard said she received one of the first grants from the Community Foundation: $1000 to buy garden tools.
Bill Millar, who has been gardening on site for about 15 years, said he got started when his daughter signed up for two plots. Over the years, Millar and his wife have grown peas, tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, corn, baby ornamental corn. “You name it and we’ve grown it,” he said.
Randy Logue, who has been gardening on site for at least 10 years, said that while he got involved in the community garden to grow his own food, he has also experienced multiple positive effects while gardening. “It’s a great stress reliever,” he said. “It’s miraculous. You throw some seeds in the ground, give it a little water, and it just happens.”
Like Logue, Pollard also finds many positives to gardening. “Anytime you work in the earth you feel better,” Pollard said. “The most important thing is it requires attention. You have to come and check it, but it’s really good exercise and it’s all organic.”
David Pollard noted that the community garden was conveniently located. “It’s a nice, open space close to town with the best view,” he said.
According to Logue, “the whole hill is the best kept secret in Hollister.”
Though the community garden has longtime members like Pollard, Millar and Logue, there are about a dozen spots available for people who are interested in gardening and willing to put in the energy to maintain their plots.
As Pollard said, “Come and enjoy your city from above.”
For more information on the Vista Park Hill Community Garden or to get involved contact Robin Pollard at justlaughnow@yahoo.com.
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