Protecting and improving the community for the people who live and work here

Bob, Marvin, Richard, K, and Chris volunteers with Teresa Gowan.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the award:

Governor Kathy Hochul

From Gotham Gazette

“Chinatown will get a $20 million state grant to redesign three key public spaces in the less trafficked eastern part of the neighborhood. Local officials hope the projects will revitalize the downtown neighborhood after a bruising year and half of economic distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic worsened by anti-Asian racism.”

Borough President Brewer, Council Member Margaret Chin, Senator Brian Kavanagh, Thomas Yu Asian Americans For Equality, Wellington Chen (whose birthday it was!) Chinatown BID, Chinese American Planning Council Wayne Ho, Asian American Federation Jo-Ann Yoo, Think!Chinatown Amy Chin, CCBA Justin Yu… and many good friends!

And…will bring more positive use to the area south of Sara Roosevelt Park!!

“The future of Chinatown is bright and I have no doubt that we’re gonna come back stronger and more resilient than before,” outgoing Council Member Margaret Chin said.”

From NYTimes by Stephen Satterfield 

“With the proliferation of Instagram accounts like Black Men With Gardens and Black Girls With Gardens, initiatives like Black Sanctuary Gardens, garden-centered podcasts like Black in the Garden and even a boom in Black-owned seed companies, this is a moment in which Black gardeners are turning — or returning — to traditions of sustenance, solidarity and sanctuary. They are finding a new sense of refuge in a traditional act of horticulture.”

“For many Black Americans, land has long been associated with displacement. But even a modest garden can offer a sense of belonging.”

“… a garden plot is a place. From the perspective of privilege, “place” may sound like an ordinary thing. But for displaced people, it can be transformational.”

From International Dark Sky website

Many songbirds like warblers, thrushes, and sparrows are nocturnal migrators. Without the light of the sun, these travelers use the moon and the stars to navigate during their long journeys, which can span thousands of miles and traverse continents. Artificial light at night (ALAN) can disrupt bird migration in a variety of ways, including disorienting birds from their routes and causing collisions with buildings, resulting in millions of bird fatalities each year.

Thanks to CB 3 District Manager Susan Stetzer and Council Member Chin’s office and thank you to Gale Brewer’s Office:

A Masked Young Raven (who volunteers in the Garden) and his parents AND a Masked State Senator Kavanagh!

Welcome Senator Kavanagh (he works on Housing in the State Senate – and is GOOD at it!)

And this young man who, seeing that one of the works of Juneteenth artist Dennis RedMoon Darkeem was defaced is attempting (every day) to replace it with another work of art). THANK YOU.

Colleen Corkery – Organizer of Halloween!

Bob Humber, Debra Jeffreys-Glass, Senator Kavanagh, K Webster, Bud Shalala

(Long Time Coalition and Garden Members) and our NY State Senator

The parent and child whisperer Jenifer Marcus:

“The Moth” Alisanne Vasko – Genius at all things Art and Children

Thank you Colleen, Allison, Marvin, Jen, Sean, Bud, Prince, Jennifer, Ted, Jim, Marie, Bob, K, Debra and many more for making this happen!!