CULTIVATING COMMUNITY:

The Social and Political Impact of Communal Gardens in the East Village

Dom Crockett

INTRODUCTION

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The aim of this book is to highlight the positive physical, social and political change that communal gardens and other initiatives like it can have on an a given environment. These spaces shape and inspire citizens to take an increased active role in their environment. Through the study of the East Village communal gardens one can discover that

such organizations yield a merited political presence.

WHY

2

The history of the East Village is one marked with artists, immigrants, musicians, heartbreak, dispair and triumph. In the 1960’s the neighborhood was the birthplace of many artistic and literary movements. Although there were positive creative initiatives taking place, problems with drugs and crime were quickly ravishing the area and the East Village became notorious for such ailements.

WHY

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Vacant lots served as prime areas for drug trafficking and crime throughout the area. These deliquent lots also were eyesores for the community members they created an unsafe and uninspiring

environment for all residents of the East Village.

WHY

4

Community members from the East Village took it upon themselves to transform these problematic areas into something positive and uplifiting. Almost always the only resource available to make a change

was the collective comradership of the local citizens.

WHERE

5

Community members from the East Village took it upon them-selves to transform these problematic areas into something positive and uplifiting. Almost always the only resource available to make a change in the community was the collective comradership of the

local citizens.

WHERE

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The Dias y Flores garden in the East Village is a prime exam-ple as to how a community garden can be a excellent vehich-le to inspire change. In 1978 the 13th Street Block Club Asso-ciation envisioned a better outlook for a certain abondonded lot on 13th street between Aveneues A and B. This lot became Dias y Flores (Days and Flowers) garden is taken from a haunt-ingly beautiful song about hope and growing by Silvio Rodriguez.

WHO

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The garden has various plots that gardners from local and other communities tend to. The maintainance and care of each indivudual lot increases the personal investment that each memeber has to the

garden and its surroundings.

WHO

8

Community members from the East Village took it upon themselves to transform these problematic areas into something positive and uplifiting. Almost always the only resource available to make a change

was the collective comradership of the local citizens.

WHO ELSE

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Efrat Eizenberg is an urbanist who specializes in using communal gardens as catalysts in community. Her research spans topics such as sustainable urban redevelopment, the politics of space, urban identi-ties and an area most relevant to this cause: the development of

political consciousness.

“The space of the garden is a means for gardeners to construct them-selves as meaningful participants in society and is therefore a space for the traditionally marginilaized to engage with the production of an urban

space according to thier memories, cultures and identities.”

WHO ELSE

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Yen Trinh, an urban designer, discusses how “Emerging landscapes are becoming brand new actors on the political stage.” She takes an inno-vative approach by inspiring such thinking by placing post it notes on

communal gardens around the city.

CONCLUSION

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Currently, Dias y Flores serves as a community garden, performance space, composting site, rainwater harvesting center, cafeteria and

neighborhood hang out spot. The space serves as a platform for colloboration and communication between neihbors increasing

vigilance and peace for the block.

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AFTERWORD

With this project I hope to have increased awareness about the positive impact that communal gardens have on communities both on a local and large scale. The strong and unified vision that com-munity gardens allow make it possible for seemingly underserved

communities to have a prominent voice in the political arena. My hope for this deliverable is to make citizens aware of the progressive things that are possible when one utilizes and empowers one’s local

community.

REFERENCES

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Dias Y Flores Main Website - www..DiasYFlores.Com

Remembering Forgotten Landscapes: Community Gardens in New York City and the Reconstruction of Cultural Diversity Efrat Eizenberg

FIN.

MAY 2011

DOM CROCKETT