P-Patch Community Gardens

Phinney Ridge

AKA Billy Goat's Bluff

The slope was so steep we almost rolled off the hill. "So that's what a 30% grade looks like." We were standing on the top of Phinney Ridge looking toward the Sound as Eldon and Claire talked of their dream of turning this derelict street right-of-way into the Hanging Gardens of Phinney Ridge. Their dream took our breathes away and made us think of mountain goats.

Eldon and Claire worked with their community to secure grant funding for materials to tame the neighborhood 4-wheel drive raceway and turn it into a garden. Clearing the site was hard enough; but, then construction day dawned. Three hundred forty timbers arrived on a flat bed truck, 100 pounds apiece. Volunteers unloaded timbers, carved terraces into the hillside, built raised garden beds, and made fast friendships. Finally 1,200 volunteer hours later, after a winter's rest and renewed spring energy, they finished. The garden beds were filled with soil and truckloads of goat manure. The vegetables fairly sprang out of the soil.

The garden was dedicated in August, 1991 as the Phinney Ridge P-Patch, but it is affectionately known as Billy Goat's Bluff because of the goat manure and the fact that only mountain goats could garden on such a steep slope.

The site is a testament to what people of vision, dedication and energy can do together. A plaque on 3rd Avenue NW is dedicated to Eldon, who never got to see his dream completed. Bob and Kathryn were awarded commendations from Mayor Rice for their pivotal roles in completing the garden. Now 4-wheel drives no longer break the night-time stillness. Can you hear the zucchini growing?