community gardens
Residents of Marble Hill and surrounding neighborhoods in Bronx Community Board 8 prioritize a more secure and healthier environment in which to raise their families and to plan for the future sustainability of their larger community. Located on the Southern tip of the Bronx Borough, bound by waterways and highways, CB8 faces limited growth opportunities in a confined space where land is a rare commodity. As such, creative solutions are explored to work with existing resources. Urban gardens are an important tool for achieving many of the activities that pull together highly functioning communities. All three of our partner community garden programs bring “hidden faces” to our public spaces.
Special Projects:
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater Harvesting is the accumulating and storing, of rainwater. Our system will provide low-impact drip irrigation to the Schervier Community Garden. Rainwater collected from the roof of the 200 square foot shade structure will make important ecological and economic contributions to availability of water. Our 300 gallon tanks will significantly reduce our reliance on spickets. Our contract with GrowNYC ensures environmental job training for local talant like Green Apple Core, Million Trees, or Sustainable South Bronx. To learn more about RWH projects in New York City check out http://wwwgrownyc.org/openspace/rainwater.
Organic Composting
Van Cortlandt Park Community Garden and Schervier Community Garden are currently in the process of certification as learning sites for organic composting. In a addition to traditional methods, our gardens are investing in bin and worm techniques. Visit the NYC Compost Project website to learn how CB8 and the Bronx feeds the soil that feeds us. http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycwasteless/html/compost/operations_community_BX.shtml#INSTITUTION
