There is a new pocket park in Castro Valley!
Sage Park is a public space at the entrance of the Castro Valley Library, designed and created by Ronan Wilfong, a boy scout in Troop 722 and Forestr.org, a nonprofit with a mission to green Castro Valley open spaces and beyond.
Wilfong is a freshman at Castro Valley High School. When considering what to do for his project to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, his lifelong love of books inspired him to give back to his local library by beautifying its entrance with a native garden.
Sage Park is complete with shrubs, trees, wildflowers, benches and paths and interpretive signs to educate the public about the ecological benefits of native plants and how they protect stormwater from pollution.
Native plants reduce water use and do not require chemicals to ward off pests, thus eliminating pollutants into the waterways from toxic runoff when it rains. They also provide food for endangered native birds, butterflies and other wildlife as well as shelter and homes.
Sage Park is funded by the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program through its Community Stewardship Grant program, a grant Wilfong and Forestr.org applied for and were awarded in 2024. The park took a year to build and was completed thanks to the volunteers and scouts of Troop 722 as well as Forestr.org members. Going forward, Forestr.org will handle maintenance.
For Wilfong, creating the park was an opportunity to give back to Forestr.org, where he volunteers. “I really enjoyed making new habitats for wildlife and watching butterflies and hummingbirds fly to the flowers in Sage Park,” he said. “I know my Eagle project made a difference for the environment. I look forward to seeing the park every time I go to the library.”
