Friday, January 16, 2015

Your chance to help create a Community Gardens District


[EVG file photo of Orchard Alley on East 4th Street]

Community Board 3 (CB3) member Bill LoSasso, who's a community gardener, passed along the following letter...

As you may know, a Coalition has formed to pursue permanence of the community gardens within the boundaries of CB3. Our community has an wonderful abundance of community gardens which provide numerous environmental, ecological, cultural, social, historical, aesthetic, and economic benefits, and more, to our neighborhoods.

If you believe that these gardens are valuable assets to our community that deserve every type of protection possible, please take 20 seconds to sign the petition below as we pursue the cause of having all gardens declared parklands and designated as part of a designated Community Gardens District. Once designated as parklands, it would take an act of the New York State legislature to alienate the land for a use other than open space.

Help preserve community gardens right here.

And here are more details from the petition...

CB3 is the birthplace of community gardens in New York City and New York State. In 1973, the first garden was established in CB3 by local activists who worked to reverse years of decline and neglect by public and private property owners.

At one time, there were 57 registered community gardens in CB3, and dozens more operating independently. As the neighborhood evolved, however, numerous gardens were bulldozed as development proceeded.

Today, there are still 46 community gardens located in CB3 — the highest density in New York City. Community Board 3 has been strengthened by the history of its community gardens, which provide environmental, cultural, aesthetic, ecological, economic, and artistic benefits to this community, and more.

22 comments:

Gojira said...

The link does not seem to be working; I click and get the message 'Sorry, the page you were looking for in this blog does not exist.'

EV Grieve said...

Hmm, sorry. And thanks for letting me know.

The link is working again...

KT said...

Thank you Mr. LoSasso for spearheading such a wonderful and initiative, you've got my Sig!!!

Anonymous said...

That would be great but the gardeners operating these gardens are such jerks, keeping them locked for their own private enjoyment. They are more like private clubs then community gardens.

Anonymous said...

I support this effort however I really don't wish to give my personal info to any organization. I don't want to be solicited by email or snail mail nor do I wish my info to be rented or sold to other charities and organizations. I wish I could be assured of these points before I sign an online petition.

Anonymous said...

Anyone can join a garden. It's called volunteering.

nygrump said...

You can volunteer to do what someone else tells you. Its not like you can work your own garden. each garden has their little sets of rulership.

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:18 is correct -- as anyone who walks the EV streets knows -- some gardens are usually closed. Many gardeners acknowledge the problem, too, and solving it is part of the dialogue.

Access is key to public -- and governmental -- support for the gardens.

The CB3 Parks Cmte met last night and, I believe, approved a resolution in favor of this. Perhaps someone can confirm...

Anonymous said...

From my understanding gardens under Green Thumb must post open hours on the gate or fence. Obviously these gardens are shut during winter months with the exception of maintenance. These gardens have limited ground space for the members, you just can't join any garden and expect a lot that day however I'm sure most gardens are looking for people that are dependable (they can trust them with the keys) and who can fill in for other members during the open hours. I have not witnessed private parties where the gates are locked to keep people out.

Laura Goggin Photography said...

This is excellent, thank you!

Anonymous said...

As CB3 is saturated with Community Gardens why doesn't the City turn some lots into affordable housing which the area desperately needs?

bowboy said...

@3:03PM
Because community gardens are about the only green space in the district, and the district has less green space an almost any place on the island. And, "affordable housing" is often a scam these days. Someone can make $140,000/yr and still qualify for such housing. Don't kid yourself into believing that affordable housing is for poor people. It's not.

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:18, Nice blanket statement. And it's funny, I do not feel like a jerk! In our garden we give members a key after one year and that person has earned it. Many prospective members would like a key to have parties and little else. But we are open to anyone joining and in fact we had several newer East Villagers join last season and they are wonderful additions to our garden. As a land trust we are not required to have open hours but are open as often as possible. Things like working to pay rent often keep members busy during the weekday .

Anonymous said...

http://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/community-gardens/movement

Here is a NYC parks and Rec link, it's fun to know what you are commenting on before shooting out negative words.(I am referring to comments, not our Grievey)

Anonymous said...

NYC Oasis has an interactive map so you can see the percentage of green space available in our city. The previous comment that we have a small amount compared to other neighborhoods was accurate.

Anonymous said...

DNA Info has published HPD's list of community gardens it's offering to developers. There are two in our area, on East 2nd and 3rd Streets; the rest are uptown and in Brooklyn.

shmnyc said...

Some gardens are run better than others, but part of this project requires those who operate more as private clubs to open themselves up, and follow the Green Thumb rules.

As far as being told what to do, what organization can you join and expect to do whatever you want? There are tasks that must be accomplished on a regular basis (opening/closing, cleaning, etc.), others that are seasonal (planting, watering, pruning, etc.), and others that are long-term (soil replacement, fence improvement, other structural work). Find out what needs to be done, then choose what suits you.

eastvillagemom said...

I joined one of these gardens, got a plot and a key and everything. At first it was great, but the members were horrible. They fought constantly at the meetings and were just generally not at all welcoming to newcomers. They also expected a ridiculous time commitment, impossible for anyone who has a job and a family to fulfill. If these gardens want to stay alive they need new, younger members, but that can't happen with the conditions as they are now. I turned in my key because I could not deal with the drama.

Anonymous said...

Being in a community garden is not for everyone. Each one is different. Passion and personalities? Contentious meetings? In New York City? Heaven forfend! Yes it takes time and hard work. You have to be honest with yourself about what you can do.

Everyone's busy, or the gardens would be open all the time. So stop the complaints if you've ever gotten enjoyment from the sweat, time and yes, back pockets of those who get it done so magically. Who exactly promised the complainers a rose garden?

Anonymous said...

3:55- That is true for most gardens, our garden asks for 20 hrs to be fulfilled in a year. And we had a few wonderful new members this year , and a few that faded. But the few that made an effort were wonderful and are great additions to our little family.
I think it takes time to find the right garden to join. I hope you keep trying to find one, it's great for the whole family.

Anonymous said...

Garden memberships also change over the years. The personality crisis can fade with time... have been subject to some intense b.s. by some members at some gardens, but still try to get there and enjoy the peace and quiet (!) when possible.

Anonymous said...

Anon 6:49 Yes why not emulate NYC first park? Central Park and "Using the power of eminent domain, the city acquired 840 acres" ... " In the process, a population of about 1,600 people who had been living in the rocky, swampy terrain--some as legitimate renters and others as squatters--were evicted; included in this sweep were a convent and school, bone-boiling plants, and the residents of Seneca Village, an African-American settlement of about 270 people which boasted a school and three churches. The members of AME Zion, Seneca Village's most prominent church, were scattered throughout the city, their community destroyed. Though the city did compensate the landowners with an average of $700 per lot of land, many residents estimated this far below the value of their property, which, despite the (until then) undesirable topography, contained their homes, their history, and their livelihoods." http://www.ny.com/articles/centralpark.html One hundred and sixty years later parks are still being chosen above human beings. In a city with a housing emergency which has lasted decades it is nice to know that people have their priorites straight.