After more than two years of planning, City Slicker Farms recently broke ground for its West Oakland Urban Farm and Park.

Located at 28th and Peralta streets, the 1.4 acre site was formerly a vacant industrial lot, which underwent a brownfield cleanup in 2006. The new farm/park will include a dog park, play area and event lawn, in addition to farming facilities including a chicken coop, beehives and orchards. Once complete, the park will be open 7 days a week from dawn to dusk.

The project, which broke ground Jan. 31, is funded with a $4 million Proposition 84 grant, awarded in 2010. Since then, the farm has worked with the community to plan the park and its amenities. 

City Slicker Farms is a nonprofit urban farming organization that has been active in Oakland for the last 12 years. In addition to operating organic farms, its programs include education, policy advocacy and consulting for other urban farming organizations.

For more information, visit cityslickerfarms.org or call (510) 763-4241.