Directs the commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation to take a parcel of land by the eminent domain procedure for a state park and community garden

Title of bill

An act requiring the commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation to take a parcel of land through the eminent domain procedure for a state park and community garden

Purpose

This bill would require the State Commissioner of Park, Recreation and Historic Preservation to acquire the 237 Maple Street in Brooklyn by eminent domain for the purpose of creating a state park and continued community garden

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: Legislative findings,

Location of site Section 2: Effective Date

Existing law

No current law dealing with property located at 237 Maple Street in Brooklyn

Justification

This property stood vacant and filled with trash from 1999 until 2012, when neighbors banded together to clean it up. The next year the community created a garden for vegetables and flowers, put in raised beds, and planted food crops with the help of local high-school students and many neighbors. The garden is the only entirely open, multi-use green space in the neighborhood, except for Prospect Park, three long blocks and nearly a mile away.

In 2014 the farmers installed a system of rain-barrels to divert water from the city's storm-drain system. They initiated a composting program, building three bins and inviting neighbors to bring us their vegetable scraps. That program has succeeded so well that three bins have now been emptied, yielding over 200 cubic feet of finished compost for their beds, and are filling again with food waste diverted from landfill (since there is no food-scrap pickup in the area).

The community built a garden storage shed from donated materials, with a grant for the labor, which was guided by a master carpenter instructing apprentices from around the city. This year with beds, filled with clean, organic soil and fertilized with our own compost, are producing an array of vegetables, herbs, strawberries, and other edibles. As the produce ripens they harvest it and offer it to anyone who wants it. Every Sunday gardeners gather to plant, weed, water, build, repair, or turn compost, and during the week other come in to keep the beds moist and the compost cooking. They host regular parties, barbecues, and a pumpkin smash after Halloween, to get those jack-o-lanterns into the compost. Our gardeners range from children to seniors, a diverse group, as the accompanying scrapbook will testify.

The Maple Street Community Garden has no gate. It is open to anyone at any time. Many others use it besides the gardeners. Neighbors drop by with food scraps. Children come in to play or swing from a rope on our lovely old willow. They have chairs and benches in sun and shade; on a nice day it's a delightful place to come relax and enjoy some green. The garden is the only entirely open, multi-use green space in the neighborhood, except for Prospect Park, three long blocks and nearly a mile away.

Legislative history

New Legislation

Fiscal implications

Fiscal Impact to the State to be determined by land acquisition cost as well as there will be future costs to operate and maintain the newly created park.

Local fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.