NYRP Kicks off 2013 “Gardens for the City” Program to Revitalize Outdoor Spaces in NYC

NEW YORK - March 26, 2013 - PRLog -- NEW YORK, NY – New York Restoration Project (http://www.nyrp.org/) (NYRP), a non-profit dedicated to transforming open spaces in underserved communities, recently announced the 2013 winners of its Gardens for the City program. Through the third annual Gardens for the City, NYRP is helping to renovate select gardens by providing building materials, support in construction, expertise in horticulture, forestry and environmental education, based on each garden’s needs. Four gardens will receive help in building a beautiful, functional and welcoming outdoor area for each community; three will receive materials to carry out their visions.

From applications submitted by local organizations, projects were chosen based on the proposal plan for renovation and involvement of local residents. As a result, four garden spaces were chosen to receive “extreme makeover” transformations. Throughout 2013, NYRP will work closely with each space to provide a variety of materials and services, including planting trees, annuals, perennials and bulbs, building raised beds, garden structures and furniture, and providing green space education and training. The four gardens are:

·         Amsterdam Houses (NYCHA), West End, Manhattan

·         Crystal Wells Community Garden, East New York, Brooklyn

·         111th Street and Park Avenue Community Garden, East Harlem, Manhattan

·         A vacant lot at Forbell and Glenmore Avenue, East New York, Brooklyn

In addition to the construction transformations, at least three other spaces will receive materials needed to accomplish their visions. They include Stockton Farm, Moore Street Farm and 100 Quincy Street Community Garden in Brooklyn. NYRP will provide these locations with free plants, tools and building materials.

“At NYRP, we believe that every New Yorker should enjoy the benefits of green, open space,” said Amanda Brown, NYRP’s Director of Community Engagement. “Our Gardens for the City program successfully embodies our philosophy, and has been steadily making meaningful changes in under-resourced neighborhoods. We’re looking forward to bringing more support to new spaces this year.”

Ideal candidates for the program are those that are located in underserved communities in New York City, plan to engage community members, and are committed to long-term maintenance. Applications (http://www.nyrp.org/Greening_Sustainability/Gardens_for_t...) will reopen in 2014.

About New York Restoration Project

Founded by Bette Midler in 1995, New York Restoration Project (NYRP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming open space in underserved communities to create a greener, more sustainable New York City. Unlike traditional conservancies that care for a specific place, NYRP is the only New York City conservancy that works citywide, bringing private resources to spaces that lack adequate municipal support. NYRP is also the leading private partner to the City of New York in MillionTreesNYC – an initiative to plant and care for one million new trees throughout New York City’s five boroughs by 2017. To learn more, please visit www.nyrp.org.