Community members are encouraging public attendance at Highline Public Schools Capital Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) meeting this coming Monday, Mar. 30 as they highlight the importance of the Shark Garden as a key community resource in the Burien and White Center area.

As we previously reported, Highline Public Schools is considering constructing a new Cascade Middle School on property adjacent to the garden. While organizers said they would welcome a school on the site as it was previously, they are concerned that the garden would need to be destroyed and removed as part of the redesign.

The CFAC meeting is scheduled for Monday, Mar. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Puget Sound Skills Center Health Sciences Building, located at 18010 8th Ave South in Burien (map below).

The CFAC plans to finalize its recommendation at Monday’s meeting; more info here.

While public comment will not be taken, the meeting is open for viewing.

CFAC leaders acknowledged community concerns raised through feedback, particularly about the future of the Shark Garden, and said they are working to identify a new location for it, including potential sites at the former Beverly Park campus or the current Cascade Middle School site after demolition.

“Clearly, no one wants to lose the Shark Garden from our community,” officials said. “Highline staff are committed to helping the community garden, currently at the Salmon Creek site, to locate a new home.”

Organizers describe the Shark Garden as “a critical community asset,” citing its role in food access, education, environmental stewardship and community health.

According to a summary provided by organizers, the 1.6 acre site has delivered measurable impacts across South King County communities. Since 2021, the garden has produced about 7,000 pounds of organic produce for local food banks and contributed more than 16,500 volunteer hours.

The site also serves as an education and gathering hub, hosting more than 145 free classes and community events and drawing participants from 22 ZIP codes. More than 600 people are served annually through workshops, while community events attract over 2,000 participants each year.

Shark Garden also supports 76 affordable garden plots, with about 90 percent used by families of color, including immigrant and refugee households, according to the summary.

In addition to food production and education, the site contributes to environmental research and sustainability efforts. It includes an apiary, native plant habitat and serves as a research location for the Washington Bee Atlas Project documenting pollinators.

Advocates say the garden’s location in a neighborhood identified as having high environmental health disparities underscores its importance as a community resource offering access to green space, education and locally grown food.

More info is available in the CFAC agenda packet here.