Gardens at NYCHA
GrowNYC, in partnership with the Castle Hill, Bushwick, Melrose and Pelham Parkway Houses, is building and cultivating green spaces in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residences and low income communities. Creating hubs for community, safety, and inclusion, the Gardens at NYCHA program operates with a community-first approach, focusing on the garden space and growing together using community input, events, virtual support, and access to educational materials.
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We grow and distribute free produce to community residents.
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We host and facilitate free events in the community garden.
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We provide safe & nurturing green spaces for community groups, seniors, and children.
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We welcome community members in growing food, community, and culture.
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We provide garden assistance to new and established gardeners so that they can better support their communities.
Want to learn more? Watch a short video on the impact that Gardens at NYCHA has had in Castle Hill Houses at The Roxanne Reid Memorial Garden!
The Roxanne Reid Memorial Garden
Castle Hill Houses
The Roxanne Reid Memorial Garden
625 Castle Hill Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10473
Year Built: 2020
Instagram: @castlehillgarden
The Roxanne Reid Memorial Garden was dedicated to the late Tenant Association President, Roxanne Reid, who passed away from Covid-19 in 2020 before the garden could be fully built. Ms. Reid was an avid supporter and stronghold for the Castle Hill Community, and it was a pleasure to bring her dream into a reality by honoring her and the entire community. The garden was built with the support of the Tenant Association, community land stewards, and Castle Hill residents. Currently, the garden is open and available for the entire community.
The Bushwick Community
Garden
Bushwick Houses
Bushwick Community Garden
50 Humboldt Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Year Built: 2021
Instagram: @bushwickgarden
The Bushwick Community Garden was built with the support of the Tenant Association, corporate volunteer groups, NSTAT and the Bushwick residents in two spaces encompassing the Bushwick/Hylan Senior Center. The garden is regaled as a herb, flower, and healing garden for seniors and community members. Residents come out to water, plant, learn about urban agriculture, and discuss garden activities.
Melrose Community Garden
Melrose Houses
Melrose Community Garden
346 E 156th Street, Bronx, NY 10451
Year Built: 2021
Instagram: @2melrosegarden
The Melrose Community Garden was built with the support of the Tenant Association, corporate volunteer groups, and the Melrose residents. The garden encompasses two spaces within the Melrose Houses Development, directly adjacent to the Bronx Works Classic Center and the Resident Community Garden. The garden is growing a host of vegetables, flowers and herbs for the Melrose residents to water, beautify, and learn about urban agriculture.
Pelham Parkway Community Garden
Pelham Parkway Houses
Resident lead planting in the garden
Chantel showing off the volunteers using the new garden benches
Medicinal herbs for the community
Resident lead planting in the garden
Pelham Parkway Community Garden
780 Astor Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467
Year Built: 2023
Email: 2pelhamgarden@gmail.com
The Pelham Parkway Community Garden was built with the support of the Tenant Association, community volunteer groups, and Pelham Parkway residents. The garden is adjacent to the Tenant Association Office, and is in partnership with the Bronx House Day Care and the nearby church. The garden is growing a host of vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs for the Pelham Parkway residents to water, beautify and learn about urban agriculture.
Want to learn more? Check out these workshops!
Meet The Team
Chantel Kemp is the Gardens at NYCHA Manager, an avid grower, food justice advocate, former beekeeper, hen keeper, AmeriCorps, and Farm School NYC alum. You can find her advocating for NYCHA resident green spaces, posing with an assortment of veggies, and on Hunter College's Rising Stars "40 Under 40" Awardees list.
DK Kinard is the Garden Coordinator for the Gardens at NYCHA program, an avid grower, food activist, a farm educator, culinary instructor, a classically trained pastry chef, and Farm School NYC alum. You can find her stewarding, advocating, organizing, and leading across a plethora of farms and programs for Seniors, Older Adults, and Special Needs community members all around New York City.