61 Franklin Street Garden
61 Franklin Street Garden is resident-led community project converting a vacant lot in Northern Greenpoint into a vibrant and green open space for the use of the neighborhood.
Leader
Ryan Watson
Location
61 Franklin Street Brooklyn, NY 11222
About the project
We hope to continue to build on our existing garden to create a welcoming green space and educational teaching zone with native plants, flowers and herb garden that are community tended to and open to everyone.
A key element of our mission is to maximize our impact on the neighborhood by educating our local community and schools on the importance of sustainable gardening elements such as rainwater harvesting, compost systems and phytoremediation to clean pollutants and heavy metals out of native soil.
The Steps
- Build more planter beds including educational beds for students
- Purchase and collect seeds to start new plants
- Purchase educational teaching supplies
- Create a community seating/teaching area
- Build Water Harvester System
- Build Compost system
- Tend to and plant in all street trees in 2 block radius
- Plant trees and bushes
- Develop a demonstration garden to remediate existing soil
- Hire teachers for monthly garden workshop classes
- Create and build living vertical wall to maximise sunlight
Why we‘re doing it
To Provide additional open community greenspace on an otherwise empty lot that provides the surrounding neighborhood and local organizations with a meeting place and outdoor “classroom” for schools and youth organizations to do skill sharing workshops.
We will also, demonstrate ways local residents can take part in cleaning native soil through phytoremediation and other sustainable urban practices.