The Shark Garden, a long-running community garden and educational hub in Burien, is seeking support to relocate its programs and botanical displays as organizers prepare for the possibility that the site cannot remain in its current location long term.
Garden leaders say they hope to preserve as much of the project as possible while continuing food access, education and environmental stewardship programs that have served thousands of residents over the past decade.
“Much of our timeline and final logistics remain up in the air and we still need to reach an agreement with the School District,” organizers said. “Our hope is they will give us an additional 120 days (or more) at the end of the season to re-distribute our remaining resources and plants. At that point we will need our community to help with financial donations as well as the physical move.”
Discussions about alternative locations have included sites in Burien, but both Puget Sound Park and Annex Park were determined to be unable to accommodate the project because of budget constraints. The group’s preferred option is to relocate portions of the garden’s educational displays and botanical collections to the grounds of the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden.
“The Shark Garden: A Critical Community Asset” summary released by organizers describes the 1.6-acre site as a center for food access, education, community health and environmental stewardship.
The summary reports that between 2021 and 2025, the garden donated approximately 7,000 pounds of produce, contributed more than 16,500 volunteer hours, hosted more than 145 free classes and events, served more than 600 people annually and welcomed more than 2,000 event participants each year.
The site includes 76 community garden plots, with roughly 90% used by BIPOC families, including immigrant and refugee households. More than 37 organizations have partnered with the garden on programs and events.
A half-acre volunteer-operated food bank garden produces organic and culturally relevant crops for the White Center Food Bank. Organizers said the program supports a food bank network serving more than 37,000 families annually while also distributing produce directly to local residents.
Education has been another major focus of the project. Organizers report that 76 students have received free educational opportunities or paid workforce training through the garden. The site also features 18 educational display gardens and has hosted more than 400 guided tours.
The garden has developed into a notable environmental education resource, according to organizers, with documented habitat supporting more than 60 pollinator insect species, 58 bird species, 50 native plant species, 110 berry varieties and 50 fruit varieties. The site also hosts a 5,000-watt off-grid solar system and serves as a research location for the Washington Bee Atlas Project.
Organizers estimate that more than $1 million has been invested in infrastructure, programs and development at the site during the past decade.
As relocation planning continues, organizers are seeking community assistance to move plants, garden infrastructure and educational displays. Needed resources include trucks, trailers, large pots, flatbed equipment, excavation assistance and volunteers to help dig and transport plants.
Garden leaders are also requesting approximately 120 additional days following the end of the current growing season to complete relocation efforts and preserve as much of the site’s educational and ecological value as possible.
In the meantime, volunteers continue to maintain the garden and harvest produce for the White Center Food Bank. Volunteer work parties are held Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to Noon and Thursday evenings.
Recently, garden volunteers harvested 40 pounds of organic produce for the @whitecenterfoodbank, including radishes, radish pods, spinach, bok choi, pea shoots, and giant rhubarb.
The Shark Garden (officially the New Start Community Garden) was founded in 2015 by volunteers and the Community Advisory Board of New Start High School, a Highline Public Schools program.
For more info, or to donate:
https://www.sharkgarden.org/donate
Plant Sale Fundraiser is this Saturday, May 30
The Shark Garden’s annual Plant Sale is this Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
“We’ve got 50 interesting tomato varieties and other veggies,” organizers said. “We’ll hope to see you there!”
There will also be FREE LIVE MUSIC in the garden by “The Weather Pennies,” an all-women folk/bluegrass/old time group who will be performing in the morning during their sale and the garden tour.
“Come have a listen and check out our plant sale and our partners while you’re at it! Free parking.”
