The Oak Park Art Garden is nearing completion, bringing an edible garden, art, public amenities and community gathering space to a once-vacant lot.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A long-vacant corner in Oak Park is being transformed into a community gathering place as construction continues on the Oak Park Art Garden, a project that neighborhood leaders say has been shaped by years of resident feedback and collaboration.
Led by Sacramento-based nonprofit. Alchemist CDC, the project at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and the 12th Avenue Bypass will include an edible food forest, community art, gathering spaces, a bike lending library, tool library, public restrooms, Wi-Fi and flexible space for free community programming. Organizers say the goal is to create a year-round destination where residents can gather, learn and access community resources.
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Sacramento District 5 Councilwoman Caity Maple said the project is part of a broader effort to activate vacant properties throughout Oak Park and create more spaces for neighbors to connect. She said the area has lacked community-focused public spaces and believes the garden can serve residents of all ages while helping strengthen neighborhood connections that were disrupted during the pandemic. Maple also said she has heard overwhelmingly positive feedback from residents, with most concerns centered on construction delays rather than the project itself.
“The community is really excited about the project,” Maple said. “They love seeing spaces get activated.”
The project has been in development for several years, with Alchemist CDC purchasing the property after securing nearly $700,000 through a California State Parks grant. Additional grant funding has helped move construction forward, although rising construction costs have required the nonprofit to continue fundraising for landscaping, artwork and other finishing elements.
Alchemist CDC Director of Advancement, Shannin Stein, said community members have helped shape nearly every aspect of the project through surveys, meetings and workshops dating back to the COVID-19 pandemic. She said the organization intentionally incorporated neighborhood priorities into the final design, from the edible food forest to public gathering areas and free programming.
“It’s one of the most community-centered and community-driven projects I’ve ever been part of,” Stein said.
Stein said activating the site with regular programming should help reduce issues such as illegal dumping and vandalism while creating a welcoming space that reflects Oak Park’s identity. Once complete, the garden will host free events through partnerships with community organizations, while revenue from select rentals will help fund long-term maintenance.
Oak Park Neighborhood Association President, Loyal Terry, said residents initially had questions about the redevelopment, but consistent outreach from Alchemist CDC helped build trust and support for the project. He said the organization’s willingness to involve neighbors throughout the planning process distinguishes the project from other developments in the area.
“The community is more excited about the opportunity than they are about the short-term inconvenience,” Terry said.
Terry said he hopes the completed garden becomes a place where longtime residents and newcomers can gather while preserving Oak Park’s character and culture. He also noted the project could encourage additional pedestrian improvements along the surrounding corridor, making the area safer and more accessible.
Major construction is expected to wrap up in the next few months before the project enters its final landscaping and activation phases, with Alchemist continuing to work alongside neighborhood partners to shape future programming and stewardship of the space. Oak Park Art Garden has a grand opening target of Spring 2027.
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