Growing Together: A Community Fruit Orchard Project for Sustainability and Education

In Twin Peaks Rotary Centennial Park, the Park District is in the initial phase of planting a public fruit tree orchard near the Twin Peaks Community Garden as part of an innovative educational project. This initiative is designed to empower the local mountain community by providing the knowledge and skills necessary to grow their own food, cultivate their gardens, and become more self-sufficient. The public fruit tree orchard will also serve as a hands-on learning space, offering seasonal programming such as expert-led bare root fruit tree planting, seasonal pruning and fertilizing, and  jam-making workshops. These activities will help the community have access to expert knowledge about growing and preserving food, fostering a deeper connection to their environment and our mountain community. 

A selection of fruit-bearing trees will be planted in the park, adjacent to a community garden. This strategic planting aims to create a thriving ecosystem where local residents can actively engage in environmental stewardship, learning the importance of nurturing the land and understanding the entire cycle of food production—starting from seed, moving through growth, and ultimately to the table. 

What types of fruit trees grow in a forest and what trees will be planted in our community orchard? 

Now, as the project moves forward, we need your input on what types of trees to plant in this community park. Below, you’ll find a variety of fruit trees that can thrive in the local mountain environment. Your feedback will help us select the most suitable species for the orchard, ensuring that the project is both educational and sustainable for years to come.

Together, we can create a vibrant and thriving space that benefits the entire community, promotes food security, and fosters a deeper appreciation for nature and the process of growing food.