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San Francisco • Only a few feet beyond the outstretched glove of Giants centerfielder Angel Pagan, over the outfield fence at AT&T Park, is a hidden gem unlike any other in big league baseball.
This special space has been transformed into a lush garden with kale and Swiss chard, tomatoes and avocadoes, blueberry and lemon trees, and planter boxes packed with fresh herbs that fans are encouraged to pick and sprinkle on their food.
That's only the beginning of what can be found in this tranquil garden, believed to be a first at a U.S. sports facility. Fans can also picnic on the small sod farm, the very grass used to replace that inside the ballpark when needed.
"There's the sustainable part of it, but there's also the health food aspect of it," Giants CEO Larry Baer said. "People can eat out there in a healthy way. People think ballpark, 'I'm going to cheat on my diet or cheat on my health.' When you come to the ballpark, you don't have to cheat."
The makeover this year behind the 399-foot sign where home run king Barry Bonds regularly directed fastballs, not far from where his record 756th clout landed in August 2007, has been remarkable. Fans can enjoy the nooks and crannies and relax on benches beneath all the greens.
It's not a farmer's market, though. One sign reads, "Edible Garden, Please Do Not Touch," and the only thing that fans can actually eat are the herbs in designated centerpieces. Not to fear: There are still plenty of ballpark staples such as hot dogs, garlic fries, popcorn and beer.
From the 20-some cutting-edge, space-saving vertical towers that require far less soil and water to the more traditional raised beds and planter boxes, the garden is not only a magical spot in the middle of a bustling ballpark along San Francisco Bay but also an outdoor classroom to teach children and teens — even adults, for that matter — about healthy eating from fresh ingredients and urban farming.