When neighbors organize to create and preserve NYC’s community spaces, they’re creating the potential for so much more to take place. On Monday evening, 1100 Bergen Street Community Garden in Crown Heights held Sew WHAT in the Garden – a clothing swap and sewing circle hosted [...]
Since 2011, 596 Acres’ Community Land Access Program has helped 36 groups transform vacant, City-owned pieces of land into community resources. We have developed several strategies to help New Yorkers gain access to vacant public land, including our online [...]
In early 2013, Bushwick’s youth-run composting service BK Rot, identified vacant lots on Myrtle Avenue as a future place to compost food scraps and spread environmental stewardship with 596 Acres’ help. They led a community land access advocacy campaign that expanded to include Council Member Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn [...]
NEWS FROM THE ORGANIZING ACRES Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn – The Hancock Street Community Block Association has a wonderful vision for the transformation of an 18-foot wide lot that has been abandoned by the City for decades. Click here to see it. [...]
This summer I am trying to visit each and every one of the spaces that 596 Acres has helped create in New York City. I want to meet the communities around them and learn as much as I can [...]
Cleaning the office we found this vintage 2012 map of opportunities for community land access on Williamsburg’s Southside in Brooklyn. Of the six we identified then, four have been transformed into permanent community spaces by neighbors organizing with our guidance. One became a building, and one [...]
Since I started my internship in May, I have gotten a crash course in New York City land policy: learning by doing. The Gardens Are Community, Community Spaces in Jeopardy Bike Ride! bike tour with Public Space Party took [...]
GUEST BLOG: DECENTRALIZED ORGANIZING Greenpoint, Brooklyn – Java Street Community Garden member Gabriel Park says there are 3 major components you need to “decentralize your organization:” good structure for the group, someone to be the secretary at all times, and clear communication. Read on [...]
Guest post by Gabriel Park, edited by Shannon Pepper A Typical Java Street Community Garden meeting Five steering committee members, plus three or four other members, show up at a bar near the garden. Some get drinks. If it’s [...]
JOIN US: 596 ACRES GENERAL MEETING THIS SATURDAY Whether you’re a community land steward, stuck in the middle of a land access campaign or just curious about how to get started, come get the scoop this Saturday, June 18 from [...]
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