Supporting and Saving New York City’s Community Gardens

New York City is home to over 550 community gardens, supported by the Parks Department’s GreenThumb program. This program provides free garden materials, technical assistance, and educational workshops to sustain these vital green spaces. These community gardens offer ecological benefits, combat the heat island effect, and provide social and educational resources for local neighborhoods. However, they face challenges such as opposition from housing advocates and neglect from city and state governments. Despite these challenges, the volunteers who tend to these gardens and participate in community composting programs are essential to the fabric of the city. Their efforts deserve praise and public support to ensure the continued success and preservation of these valuable community resources.