Founded May 2006 and already pretty downtrodden... On May…read more10, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe was joined by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Chairman of Community Board 1 Vincent Abate, and members of Tom Stofka's family, including his parents Stephen and Melba Stofka, and his wife Marta Hollister, to cut the ribbon on a new state-of-the art running track, synthetic turf field, and entrance garden in McCarren Park. "Today's dedication of Tom Stofka Garden at McCarren Park is a fitting memorial to a beloved colleague," said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "Tom loved his job and his warm personality was infectious to all who knew him. By dedicating a new garden and a new synthetic turf field, we are providing the community with improved spaces for recreation and passive enjoyment. Although we miss Tom, this dedication will help ensure that his lively presence is remembered." McCarren Park is the beneficiary of several new improvements. Thanks to a generous allocation of nearly $1.8 million from Mayor Bloomberg, Borough President Markowitz, Council Member David Yassky, and a grant from ING Bank, Parks revitalized the northeastern portion of the Park for recreation and passive reflection. This project included conversion of the dilapidated track infield with the same synthetic turf that is used in the NFL. The field was lined for adult and youth soccer and football, and a new surface was installed on the running track. The work also included reconstruction of the Driggs Avenue entrance of the Park with decorative steel entrance posts, new asphalt paths, benches and garden areas. The garden is filled with flowering azaleas, rhododendrons, skimmias, viburnums, hydrangeas, Kwanzan cherry trees, and a weeping beech tree. Tom Stofka worked with Parks for over 25 years, serving as Director of Brooklyn Forestry. He was the guardian of the borough's trees. On his watch, the first street tree census was completed, the backlog of dead tree removals was eliminated, modern information management systems were introduced, and the Asian Long-horned Beetle was discovered and vigorously fought. Thanks to his immense love for his job and his warm personality, Tom is remembered by all who knew him as an unparalleled professional and a wonderful human being.

Tom Stofka was the Guardian of the borough's trees - the GUARDIAN, I must stress. Five stars, if I…read morecould give six, or six hundred I would. Fantastic park, unforgettable.

Amongst the chaos of BK, you find this hidden gem, better known as "Woodbine Garden". A friend…read moreinvited me to join him for their yearly gathering of good food, community and all around great vibes. If you're looking for community, or simply a space to grow your own food, I highly recommend visiting your neighborhood community garden. Side bar: woodbine garden will be going through a makeover that'll be bringing in new / waist high garden beds.

There's a beautiful community garden with veggies and fruits growing on a hillside in Ridgewood…read moreQueens. The planted crops cover a large area of land surrounded by tall fences, but there's a bonus section. On the Onderdonk Ave side, there are a couple of raised beds outside the locked fence that neighbors are encouraged to sample. Currently there's some healthy looking kale growing tall and a bunch of green tomatoes peeking through leaves. It warms my heart to see things growing, that also serve to feed local needs. I saw a group lovingly tending to it as I came home a month ago, and have wondered how to get involved, but havent seen the crew again. Ill keep an eye out.

Waking up @7am on a beautiful Saturday was well worth it seeing everyone on NY Cares - Hands on NY…read moreDay smiling and ready to help turn this wondrous garden into an even better place for the community of T & T to enjoy years on end! The community was very welcoming and delighted to have us help them do what they would normally take 3 or 4 Summers to finish! I can't believe how much FOOD we were getting. I volunteered @ a school last year and we didn't even see crumbs and here I was getting spoiled with a hot breakfast, finger sandwiches, bagels, fruits and freezy pops! We weeded, we raked, we pulled and cut! Everyone at least had a few drops of sweat perspiring from their foreheads. The "before" look and the "after" look was heaven and hell, we totally transformed this potentially equipped garden into something perfect for new flowers, and vegetables. I was very pleased to see how much we accomplished with so many hands involved. I cannot wait to come back in a few months to see what the community @ T & T has done with the hard work we put in.

I had the pleasure of growing up on Vernon Ave. My grandmother was the secretary when the T&T…read moreVernon Ave Block Association was formed. I was her personal mail-girl. My job was to deliver the notices to the monthly meeting to the association members. (smile). I remember in the late 1980's when the apartment buildings near Tompkins Ave burned down. The fire was terrible. However, from the ashes rose a wonderful community garden. I am proud to say that I was happy to be a part of the building of the community garden. We maintained it and held events from the garden location. I no longer reside in the state of New York but it is really good to see that something that I was a apart of is still thriving. By the way, I grew up in the house located at 175A Vernon Ave.

Came here for my Niece's birthday. It was wonderful. The decor is lovely and the staff is very…read morefriendly and attentive and gracious for dealing with a table of kids. The food came out on time and cooked to the correct temperature. I had the steak and it was very delicious. It's a nice place for groups and for dates. Would recommend.

See extensive written review from 10-25-2022 by Jill F. They…read moredid a spectacular job even beyond my expectation!

When reality sets in that I don't have a partner, or when I feel deep in my soul that the only…read morefriend I have in the universe is the city I live in, the city of alphabets, I come to 9th Street Community Garden Park to feel better. Lonely as I am, together we cry. Sorry, my dear reader, I've been a little down in the dumps after a recent situationship went south. I'm trying to see the bright side in it. I think it will give me some space to breathe and allow me to blossom into the person the universe has destined me to become. But yeah, I've been coming here a lot recently to mope and be sad. It's important to let yourself feel feelings in order to process them.... Although wtf do I know I'm just so random dude reviewing a garden ahahahahah. This garden is LUCIOUS with greenery and BOOMING with life. It's so much greenery that it provides a bit of a shelter and capsule from the brutalistic concrete jungle. Sometimes it's just nice to be around life, even if it's not human you know? After all we human beings need sunlight just as much as plants, so it's kinda of nice to just sit and photosynthesize with them every once in a while........Damn I'm down bad ahahahahaha Be careful though you can get lost in here it's lowkey a maze! A-TOWN STAND UP! IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__

It is a cute and well maintained garden in the area. I went on the NYC Open Garden Day so I was…read morestrolling around a few gardens near East Village, and this is one of the best. I also learnt from them that they have a volunteering program that you can work yourself up to become a member and get a lot for your gardening passions. I have never really done that before - but if I decide to do it some time, this is likely the place that I will go try for it!

Hell's Kitchen has a quaint communal garden which is limited access to the public on weekends only…read more During the week it is accessible with a key to residents in this neighborhood. Clinton Community Garden is a teaching garden and enables all to hone the importance of growing vegetables, plants and bloom flowers. There are benches for resting and lots of green. Very well maintained. Clinton Community Garden is a great example of a unification of a community and building bridges in working toward a common goal of a healthier environment and healthy living.

What a great little place in concrete city, in the middle of the block to have this opportunity for…read morethe residents in the neighborhood, to have a green space, and to learn a thing or two about the importance of eating vegetables. Clinton Community Garden is open to the public 20 hours every weekend (10 hours Sat & Sunday). The rest of that time, it is closed off for residents or for those who have key access. Children and residents in this neighborhood does have access 7 days a week (which is fantastic) to learn how to eat healthy, grow their own vegetables, and live a healthy lifestyle. What I like most about the garden is the opportunity for residents in this neighborhood to get out of their apartments, and have a special space to call their very own, whether it be vegetations or to plant beautiful flowers. What an awesome way of team collaboration, and for the young minds to learn nature in the heart of West Side Manhattan!! For more info you can goto: http://clintongarden.org/ Until then, Cheers! ~ :p

6 BC Botanical Garden 624 E. 6th. St…read more New York, NY 10009 There is a tranquil garden nestled away in the Lower East Side. This hidden oasis has multiple seating areas where you can admire the sights of a rock garden, koi pond with a mini waterfall, and a tree house. It is the perfect place to eat your breakfast, lunch, or snack. It is also a nice area to socialize among your peers. Be sure to add this to your bucket list because it is a relaxing destination for all ages! #6bcbotanicalgarden #plantlife #treehouse #rockgarden #koipond #pond #lowereastsidenyc #alphabetcity #lowereastside

My family and our friends came to the 6BC Botanical Gardens to see the Nightmare Before Christmas…read morelight show. This was an incredibly exciting experience. I went with a couple of friends of mine and we all had a lot of fun. The music was really great and the lights took you through the movie from beginning to end. The sculptures were also really cool and I was so happy to see my favorite characters. They incorporated the main movie characters including Jack, Sally, and my personal favorite Zero. They also had Oogie Boogie, and they also had Lock Shock and Barrel. But they also had many of the secondary characters including the clown with the tearaway face, and a few of the witches. It was as if I was walking through the movie and seeing some of the scenes in real-time. The best words that I could use to describe the experience are magical and immersive. I'm glad that I went and I know that we all had a great time.