MuswellHillbilly

Mellors and I have just returned from New York, where we have been visiting family. Unsurprisingly we managed to sniff out some gardens in a city renowned for its skyscrapers.

First we took the air in Central Park.

Signs of spring in Central Park

Central Park

Tribute to John Lennon in Central Park

Central Park behind us we then we explored some city community gardens. The Lower East Side or ‘Alphabet city’ was for years a neighbourhood synonymous with drugs, crime, burned out buildings and garbage-strewn streets. But it is changing and one of the reasons for that change, say long-time residents, are the numerous community gardens, almost 40 of which have taken the place of many of the areas formerly debris-covered vacant lots.

NYC community gardens

Community garden in the heart of the city

Garden in Alphabet City, NYC

So now in place of discarded refrigerators, rotting tyres and rats, there are herbs of every variety (rosemary, thyme, sage, basil); flowers such as roses, pansies, marigolds, and mums, and vegetables including tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, peppers, mustard greens and spinach. In one garden there are even peach, cherry, apple and nectarine trees, as well as an enormous weeping willow tree. Visit the Sixth Street and Avenue B garden website for more.

NYC Community gardens

It’s not yet open to the public but we were fascinated to learn about Friends of the High Line, a non profit organisation who have saved an old railway line above the city and intend to rejuvenate the space for public use. The High Line comprises 6.7 acres of space atop elevated rail deck. One of the plans for the High Line, which was built in the 1920’s, is to create public parks and gardens. Check it out: http://www.thehighline.org/