Tucked away on the corner of Golden Lantern and Stonehill, right across the way from Dana Hills High School, sits the Harry Otsubo Community Garden. Managed by the City of Dana Point, the property consists of 79 garden plots that are maintained by residents, each a little space dedicated to crafting a green thumb. When Dana Point councilmember John Gabbard served as Principal For A Day at Dana Hills in 2024, he spent some time in the STEPS classroom, which services moderate to severe autism students. He asked if there was anything he could do to benefit the program and the request was simple- a garden plot across the street.
The next day, Councilmember Gabbard called principal Brittany Casey to tell her that the STEPS students had a home at Harry Otsubo Community Garden.
Once the plot was secured, support from the broader community followed. Program staff reached out to Dana Point Nursery for guidance on plant selection and supplies. Brooke Otsubo, owner of Dana Point Nursery and granddaughter of Dana Point icon Harry Otsubo, donated every item on the supply list. The garden soon filled with okra, corn, habanero and jalapeño peppers, tomatoes, carrots, strawberries, lettuce, cucumbers, and even watermelon vines—which grew in length, but did not produce any fruit on the first go round.
As the garden developed, so did student learning. Participants discovered companion planting techniques, including how marigolds help deter parasites, and learned that some plants are edible beyond their obvious uses. Students also learned the discipline gardening requires: daily watering when rain is absent, consistent maintenance, and strict adherence to garden rules—including a weed-free perimeter that provides both structure and ongoing work.
STEPS’ connection to the garden community began years earlier through city-led service projects. Prior to receiving their own plot, students helped clear weeds from common areas and spread mulch along walkways—work they completed over three different years with trailer-loads of mulch delivered by the city. That effort earned an unexpected reward: a special trolley experience. Students were picked up curbside at DHHS, transported to Westwind Sailing for paddling, met later at Beach Harbor Pizza, and then taken on the full trolley route to learn how to use the summer trolley system. The experience proved so successful that it has since become an annual tradition.
Behind the scenes, staff and families have played a crucial role. Staff members help maintain the garden during weekends and school breaks, with paraeducator Haydeh Hekmat dedicating significant personal time to the project. Parents responded to a wish list for soil, tools, and gloves, with one family donating raised planters along the fence line—making the garden more accessible for students who use wheelchairs. Another parent assists with watering during school breaks, while students help keep the area around her neighboring plot weed-free.
Local businesses also stepped forward. Ganahl Lumber manager John Lopez donated 120 feet of redwood and chicken wire to improve the plot’s structure and appearance.
Integration into the garden community was not immediate. Some gardeners initially questioned whether the STEPS program could maintain a plot or expressed uncertainty about the students’ visible disabilities. One year later, those concerns have been replaced with respect. The STEPS plot is now regarded as one of the strongest in the garden, and the program has helped broaden understanding of the abilities and contributions of students with special needs. The students even go above and beyond, pulling weeds from paths and common areas to keep the space looking clean and fresh.
Annual garden registration has become another point of pride. Attended by city leadership, including the City Manager, the event provided an opportunity for STEPS to share a student-supported T-shirt design with the gardening community. The design was approved, and former City Manager Mike Killebrew suggested placing an image on the front. The illustration—Harry Otsubo on a surfboard holding garden tools—was later printed on cookies at the event. With permission from the artist, the image became the official STEPS garden T-shirt, produced by students in the Spyderlab. Fourteen shirts have already been sold, with more planned as interest continues to grow.
Challenges have also brought learning opportunities. When larvae were discovered in the soil, staff and students sought advice from experienced community gardeners and learned effective treatment methods, reinforcing the collaborative nature of the garden.
Looking ahead, the program’s next goal is certification. Plans are underway to have the Orange County Weights and Measures Department inspect the garden, allowing students to sell produce at the new Dana Point Harbor Farmers Market—a certified market requiring all vendors to meet county standards.
