Thanks to Governor Cuomo's "Vital Brooklyn" initiative — a $1.4 billion revitalization fund that features money earmarked for new community gardens — and the New York Restoration Project, garden enthusiasts and green thumbers will get a new place to work their magic in Bushwick.
The project, dubbed the Aberdeen Street Community Garden aims to transform an enormous overgrown lot-- a whopping 100,000 square feet-- at 91 Aberdeen Street, between Bushwick Ave and the Evergreen Cemetery, into a sprawling greenspace before the end of 2020.
Currently the lot is being used for storing trucks and other large items.
According to the New York Restoration Project, $720,00 has been allocated in state revitalization funds have been earmarked for the site, which will serve an oasis in a neighborhood currently in a battle with the city on its community plan for combatting a fast-changing landscape due to hyper-development and gentrification.
Photo: NYRP
NYRP's plans for the Aberdeen Street Community Gardeninclude multiple raised garden beds for growing fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs; Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant paths and paved surfaces; and benches, picnic tables, sitting areas and compost bins.
The garden hopes to provided outdoor classroom space for environmental education programs with local schools, a restroom inside a shipping container — which would also have a canopy extending out of it to provide shade on sunny days.
Photo: NYRP
The rear section of the space would continue to provide car parking and storage for the organization, but that area could be cleared for special events. Once completed, the park will be open for at least 20 hours a week — and the gardeners plan to provide neighbors with keys to access and tend to the space, according to an NYRP architect.
