Isn’t this amazing? This is the most remarkable garden space I have ever seen in NYC. One image does not do it justice, so here are six more photos. All the community gardens I have been to (I have featured most of them here on this site) are wonderful spaces – true oases from the urban world. But nothing beats the 9th Street Community Garden on Avenue C for transporting one to another place (or perhaps I should say places, with its varied environments).
I recently visited with a friend. Upon entering, we took a pathway through a tunnel of shrubbery which felt like an English country garden. Then we passed through a small cabana (in the photo), which felt like a tiny country cottage. From there and out into the open, much of the garden has a tropical feel, with dense foliage and plantings. I used to travel to the West Indies, and this space truly made me feel like I was there again. There was barbecuing and picnicking going on in a tented area. Nearby, there was a large cabana with a porch, chairs, benches, tables, a kitchen with appliances, and housekeeping accouterments. I spoke with the women relaxing and expressed my awe. They confirmed my feelings that this garden was the best in NYC 🙂
What a find! Thanks for letting us in on it 😉
What am amazing garden. A great set of photographs.
isabella, jilly – you should visit if you can.
It does look huge!! I am adding it to the list of things to visit!
Are you sure this is in NYC? Wow, what a find.
Really nice…they are now calling it the Garden District? Hard to believe, I recall when there was not one tree in the whole LES.
rd – It’s in NYC but the outer edges.
Avenue C is in an area of the East Village known as Alphabet City (for Avenues A, B, C, D). This neighborhood was virtually uninhabitable in the 60s and 70s. Rents could be had for $60/month or less. And there were squatters in many buildings and Tompkins Square Park.
Absolutely stunning. I’m jealous! We don’t have this in Chicago:( Lovely photos.
Hi. I love your pictures. I'm doing my thesis on community gardens and was wondering if you would mind me using them in my paper? It would be a great help.