Birdseye view of the Community Gardens in summer.

Community Gardens

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Albin Olson, the Community Garden Namesake

Overview

The city runs two community garden sites. The Olson Community Garden site is located at the corner of Kerber Boulevard and Santa Vera Drive. The gardens comprise 77 plots, three raised beds, and a community orchard.

The community orchard is along Santa Vera Drive outside of the fence and includes apple and cherry trees and raspberry plants. The city planted the orchard in 2014. The public is welcome to the fruit in the public orchard when it ripens in the summer.

The Lyman Community Garden is located on Lyman Boulevard at the end of Audubon Road, next to the city lift station at 1801 Lyman Boulevard. This site has 16 plots with water available on site.

Plots Open for the Season

As of May 21, 2026, the Community Gardens are now open to those who have reserved a plot!

A big thank you to Dakota Prairie Composting who donated 25 cubic yards of garden blend compost to the Chanhassen Community Garden Program!

Garden Plots

  • Gardens are reserved on a first-registered/first-served basis, giving priority to returning gardeners.
  • Individual garden plots are generally 10 feet by 10 feet, although the Olson community garden has a few different sizes.
  • The gardens are tilled, fertilized, and staked out in the spring. Weather permitting, they should be ready by late May.
  • You are responsible for planting, weeding, and, best of all, harvesting!
  • Water sources are available at both sites. The locations are shown on the map. Hoses are provided.
  • All gardeners must keep their plots as disease-free and weed-free as possible. If a garden is not maintained, a warning will be given. If conditions do not improve, the garden will be forfeited. No pesticides other than insecticidal soap are allowed in the gardens.
  • Gardeners are responsible for any personal belongings left behind. 
  • The gardens must be cleared by mid-October.
  • All levels of gardeners are welcome.
  • Please be respectful of others. 
  • Check out the guidelines and maps under Resources for more information.

Olson Community Garden Flowerbed Renovation

Eagle Scout Lance McClintockIn May of 2025, Eagle Scout Lance McClintock and Scout Troop 330 created a pollinator-friendly garden in the flowerbed in front of the Olson Community Garden (corner of Kerber Blvd. and Santa Vera Dr.). Lance and his team worked hard to create this beautiful space for everyone to enjoy—people and pollinators alike.
 
Thank you to Lance and Scout Troop 330 for their time and service, as well as Metropolitan Supply and S&S Auto and Truck Repair, both Chanhassen businesses that graciously sponsored the project.

 

Olson Community Garden and renovated flowerbed

 

 

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