Lydia's Magic Garden
After redevelopment, LMG lost the majority of its plantings and was littered with debris. Volunteers will build grow beds for vegetables & fruits, plant flowers, install a shed, and create seating areas.
Leader
Alicia Williamson
Location
1665 Park Avenue New York, NY 10035
About the project
Each donation to Lydia's Magic Garden will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $250. The total available in match funds to this campaign is $1,746.Lydia's Magic Garden (LMG) is a community garden in East Harlem NYC established in 1991 by community members organized by Lydia Roman. Tired of seeing her community with empty lots of garbage, they decided to create beautiful gardens. After more than 20 years of serving East Harlem community LMG was downsized by redevelopment in 2012. We are now working with residents, and business and community leaders of East Harlem to help restore this urban green space as a resource for children, youth, seniors, and the broader community.
The Steps
Beginning in spring 2017, LMG volunteers will begin building grow beds filled with clean soil and compost, and engaging community members with the following: obtain bed construction materials, hold volunteer workdays, install secure shed, plant vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers, hold community welcome and engagement events.
Why we‘re doing it
Community led greenspaces provide safe, welcoming environments in which we can connect with neighbors, engage in collaborative projects, learn about and enjoy nature, and enjoy respite from hectic urban environments. As East Harlem continues to lose community open space to aggressive development, it is critical that we preserve and maintain such spaces for East Harlem and NYC communities.