Garden Preservation

De Colores Community Yard and Garden

 

 

CONTACT: Elizabeth Ruf & Sylvia Syracuse

LOCATION: East 8th Street between
Avenues B & C

STATUS:   RECOMMENDED FOR A GREEN THUMB LEASE

De Colores was threatened by city plans to put this garden up for auction this fall of 1996. We organized and won the support of the local community board and testified at the City Planning Commission, that finally decided to recommend the garden for a Gr eenthumb lease. The gardeners are also interested in exploring the options of a land trust and permanent site status for their garden.

De Colores Community Yard and Cultural Center is a community flower garden and gathering place (with a stage) on East 8th Street between Avenues B & C. The garden consists of individual and shared garden plots and a perimeter of grassy lawn. At the fa r end of the garden is the stage which hosts many musical performances and informal community gatherings.

De Colores was founded in May, 1996, after many gardeners on the block lost their magnificent ABC garden to the bulldozer. The garden is open to the public whenever the gardeners are present, which is usually on the weekends. The founders of the garden plan to sponsor cultural events for children, the elderly, and all members of the community. Gardens like De Colores provide the citizens of Manhattan, a place with so little green space, with islands of peace and beauty which provide experiences of nature and culture to people who have few resources.

Founded in May, 1996, De Colores is still a young garden. The garden is open to the public whenever the gardeners are present, which is usually on the weekends. The founders of the garden plan to sponsor cultural events for children, the elderly, and all members of the community. Sadly, De Colores is currently threatened by the Cityís plan to put the lot up for auction. Fortunately, there are many people in the political system and members of the community who are willing to fight to save De Colore s from being sold and destroyed. Gardens like De Colores provide the citizens of Manhattan, a place with so little green space, with islands of peace and beauty which provide experiences of nature and culture to people who have few resources.

Work on De Colores began in May of 1996. The group of East Village and Lower East Side community members decided to clear out a rubble filled, city owned lot and create a garden. This was a response, in part, to the Cityís destruction of a large, lon g standing garden across the street in order to create a residence for the elderly. The community members, left to their own devices by the city, cut down trees, cleared building rubble and even removed junkieís needles in order to create the De Colores garden.

Once the lot was cleared, garden plots with wood and rocks were created along the perimeter and grass seed planted in the center. The soil was sandy and fertile. People design their own plots according to their dreams and the common plots and grass a re tended to communally.

De Colores flowers have brightened this formerly dark and dangerous place. The members are working with others in the community to insure that De Colores and other gardens are kept away from development plans.

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