nearby lots
- Manhattan block 1953, lot 24 -- a group is organizing here
- Manhattan block 1953, lot 38
- Manhattan block 1932, lot 5
- Manhattan block 1932, lot 7
Saint Nicholas Miracle Garden
A group has access to this lot!
If you are part of the group and would like to receive updates from 596 Acres (about things like free beehives, how to get mulch from the city, and calls for support for existing community sites throughout the network), please become an organizer.
organize
Learn more about the group and get involved through their homepage, by emailing them, or walk by and say hi!
In their words:
Our goal is to create an urban garden with a strong public presence on a well-trafficked corridor in Central Harlem, just off of the famed 125th Street. The St. Nicholas Garden will take advantage of its location to become both an environmental asset for the neighborhood, and a part of our community members’ lives. The garden will promote greening and environmental awareness, and serve to educate our neighbors and children in the community about gardening, healthy eating, and sustainable living. In addition, the garden’s compact size and dense urban context gives us the opportunity to promote vertical urban gardening and test innovative methods for maximizing space and resources.
Saint Nicholas Miracle Garden
| address | 330 ST NICHOLAS AVENUE |
|---|---|
| zipcode | 10027 |
| block | 1953 |
| lot | 44 |
| area | 0.037 acres |
| elsewhere |
See this lot on OASIS, a map that combines block and lot level information from a variety of government and community sources. For a tutorial on how to access information about this particular lot on OASIS, go here and click on "How do I access information about locations on the map?" |
add a pictureagency
| name | Department of Citywide Administrative Services |
|---|
government
Check out democracy map, which can help you find the elected officials for the area around this lot and when the next community board meeting will happen.
organizing history
-
name Jennifer Glickman type individual site phone 9175534605 email jennglickman@gmail.com notes avid food grower who just relocated from woodstock ny to harlem.
-
name Bonnie Mohan type individual site phone email bonnie.mohan@gmail.com notes I've been dreaming of having one of these empty lots on this block turn into a community garden since I moved here last year. The 596acres sign that suddenly popped up on this lot's fence gave me the push I needed. Where do we start?!
-
name Landon Westbrook type individual site phone email ll@landonwestbrook.com notes Love growing things in my windows, but need more depth for the basil and tomatoes!
-
name Vie Duncan type individual site phone 2405432665 email vd2249@columbia.edu notes I am a urban planning student at Columbia, looking to meet others in the Community, revitalize Harlem, and to plant a little basil.
-
name Arafa Speaks type individual site phone 2027184979 email levasz3@yahoo.com notes (A Woman Needs a Home)
We're calling the universe to support a homeless person's vision of change:`
I am a woman who has been educating and advocating for the rights of homeless individuals in Harlem for years.
I want to use this space for exhibitions that showcase the interests and needs of homeless individuals in a variety of ongoing artistic ways.- Arafa Speaks:
Support Self HELP (Homeless Enterprise Levels the Playing Field)
"To give voice to the homeless, to let our words and works speak for us." -
name Tiago San type individual site phone 9294440758 email cruzbarth1@hotmail.com notes Hello all,
This is Tiago San. I am the co-creator of the documentary film and web platform alterNation (working title), together with Corinna Harl.
http://alternation.at/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/AlterNation/426356684089454?fref=tsWe are filming initiatives around the globe that are non-hierarchical, self organised, made by the people, for the people. And alterNation is an effort to portray such initiatives as seeds of democracy and sustainability in our changing world.
I came across this lot and saw that there are a few people with interesting and diverse backgrounds who want to something with it and perhaps all is needed is a spark.
I would like to propose a meeting where first ideas can be shared, questions made, and so that each of you/us can get to know each other better to be able to start envisioning what can be done as a group, taking the step from going to a wish, to an almost-plan.
My interest in this would be to film parts of the discussions and the lot itself, to have it as material of a starting initiative and 596 acres' work for alternation. Besides, just participating in such processes gives me passion fuel, to keep doing what I'm doing. which is to document this growing non-hierarchical/self-organized social phenomena.
My dates in NYC are changing all the time and my times is limited in the city for I leave on the 30th back to Berlin, The 29th would be perfect for me! But in case it doesn't work for most of you, please suggest what dates are best for you and we can work it out from there.
Thank you in advance for your time and attention.
I hope to hear from you soon.
:)
Tiago San
-
name Amanda Monzon type individual site phone 914-643-5601 email amanda.monzon@gmail.com notes I live in the area and wanted to start a container garden. I have not seen any activity on the lot and wanted to find out if anyone has any plans for this Spring 2013.
-
name Jennifer Lee type individual site phone 8322821590 email jenblues@gmail.com notes Hi -
I am a neighbor of this lot; I've walked by this site and noticed the sign. I'd love to participate, and maybe eventually get a group together to organize the site around the corner in the middle of 127th St. I also would be interested in some sort of composting garden/program; I could see if people in my building would be willing to participate. -
name Justin G. Moore - Urban Patch type community based organization site http://urbanpatch.org/ phone 917.848.2562 email justin@urbanpatch.org notes Hi,
Jen told me about this initiative and I would be happy to help however I can. My time is limited, but I can help to set up fundraising via ioby.org etc. for the project, or help contacting Edie Stone at DPR. Note that this site is zoned R8 and there are already two other established gardens on this same block, so I doubt the city would be interested in anything other than an interim use.
-
name Joshua type individual site phone email diaspora.cooking.nyc@gmail.com notes Harlem resident, old school guerrilla gardener, chef, educator, and wellness professional.
-
name Saint Nicholas Miracle Garden type community based organization site http://www.stnicholasmiraclegarden.org/ phone email StNickGarden@gmail.com notes Our goal is to create an urban garden with a strong public presence on a well-trafficked corridor in Central Harlem, just off of the famed 125th Street. The St. Nicholas Garden will take advantage of its location to become both an environmental asset for the neighborhood, and a part of our community members’ lives. The garden will promote greening and environmental awareness, and serve to educate our neighbors and children in the community about gardening, healthy eating, and sustainable living. In addition, the garden’s compact size and dense urban context gives us the opportunity to promote vertical urban gardening and test innovative methods for maximizing space and resources.
notes
-
On July 07, 2012, at 2:32p.m., Paula at 596 Acres said:
We put a sign on this lot today! It's a beauty!
-
On August 12, 2012, at 11:39p.m., Paula at 596 Acres said:
A good first step is to call the City Agency and ask about their plans for the lot. Here are some tips for your call: http://596acres.org/en/resources/advocacy-resources/
-
On October 16, 2012, at 12:33p.m., Nick Pinto said:
Hi, I'm a reporter at the Village Voice interested in talking to some of the people interested in making plans for this lot. Drop me an email at npinto@villagevoice.com or call at 917.312.9465 if you'd be willing to talk!
-
On October 16, 2012, at 12:50p.m., Paula at 596 Acres said:
Sorry about that - all fixed now!
-
On January 15, 2013, at 11:44a.m., Paula at 596 Acres said:
It seems like there is a lot interest here - is it time for a meeting in front of the lot to plan for spring?
-
On January 15, 2013, at 12:01p.m., Paula at 596 Acres said:
Something strange is happening here and we are working to fix it! So sorry!!!
-
On February 04, 2013, at 10:55a.m., Amanda said:
Paula, did you need any assistance in getting the lot ready for use?
-
On February 04, 2013, at 11:36a.m., Paula at 596 Acres said:
The first step is getting permission. Try calling Debbie Kadir, whose contact info is above, to express your interest and find out if the agency has plans for the lot. And also this person:
Jennine Ventura | DCAS Intergovernmental Affairs
(212) 386-0241 | jventura@dcas.nyc.govWrite a note here about how your calls go!
-
On February 04, 2013, at 11:47a.m., Amanda said:
I emailed Debbie Kadir and found out that Jennine Ventura no longer works for DCAS. Next week I will call Debbie's office if I do not get a reply back.
-
On February 06, 2013, at 10:58a.m., Amanda said:
Got a response back from Debbie to contact Randy Fong and left a voice mail.
-
On February 11, 2013, at 12:59p.m., Amanda said:
I found out Edie Stone from GreenThumb/NYC Parks and Recreation is the person to talk to but she is out on vacation until Feb 19th.
-
On February 11, 2013, at 1:07p.m., Paula at 596 Acres said:
That is EXTREMELY promising! Here's what GreenThumb will ask you for:
- The names of 2 Primary gardeners + (at least) a list of ten volunteers (full contact info);
- A letter from the Community Board in support of the project and group;
- A name for the proposed garden/group being formed to look after the garden; and
- A proposal letter describing the community & the project with a mission/ vision statement listing benefits to the community & a sketch or rendering
- List of partners/sponsors/endorsers (including churches, school, local business, city agencies, etc)
Also see this *new* page on the GreenThumb website: http://greenthumbnyc.org/start_a_garden.html
-
On February 20, 2013, at 10:44p.m., Paula at 596 Acres said:
Seems like it's time to have a meeting and make some plans for the spring! Can someone on this list host?
-
On February 21, 2013, at 8:32a.m., Amanda said:
We will be holding a meeting Sunday March 3rd at 1pm at the FlopHouse. Still trying to get in contact with Edie Stone at GreenThumb.
-
On February 21, 2013, at 10:34a.m., Amanda said:
Meeting moved to Saturday March 2nd at 1pm.
-
On February 21, 2013, at 12:44p.m., Amanda said:
StNickGarden@gmail.com is the email I am using to contact and communicate to everyone. I set up a calender so it is easy to see when meetings are and who is invited.
-
On March 11, 2013, at 11:25p.m., Paula at 596 Acres said:
How was the meeting?
-
On March 12, 2013, at 12:24a.m., Justin said:
We had a good meeting and have put together a mission and submitted a concept plan and other materials to Green Thumb. We are hopeful that we will get a quick approval and can begin work soon. See link for some local blog coverage:
Another meeting is planned for March 16/17th. People can email stnickgarden [at] gmail.com for more info.
-
On March 12, 2013, at 12:27a.m., Paula at 596 Acres said:
Awesome! What did DCAS actually tell you about plans for this lot?
-
On March 12, 2013, at 12:40a.m., Justin said:
The only response we got back was to contact Green Thumb to get a license
for use the site as a garden - we have no other info on long-term plans.
There is a development site (3 vacant lots) owned by an LLC to the south,
the area is zoned for medium-high density residential, so it
will likely develop at some point. Whether the city were to sell the DCAS
parcel to an adjoining developer (or just the development rights) would
remain to be seen. HPD controls the other lot around the corner; and there
are two other good size gardens on this block, on the 126th Street side.On Tue, Mar 12, 2013 at 12:27 AM, 596 Acres Lot 1019530044 <
notes+1019530044@596acres.org> wrote: -
On March 15, 2013, at 9:41a.m., Meeting this weekend said:
Hi all, the organizing group is meeting this Saturday, March 16th at the Balton (apartment building), 127th St & St Nicholas Ave, from 12-2pm.
For more info see: http://harlemcondolife.com/2013/03/10/another-great-garden-is-taking-root-and-preparing-to-bloom-in-harlem/
Please be sure to think of what types of plants you would like to see in the garden.
Agenda
- Garden name's
- Garden plan (containers, plants)
- Determine phase implementation
- Next steps: budget -
On March 22, 2013, at 5:18p.m., Daniel said:
The Manhattan Borough President's Office has a grant for community projects, including around parks. Organizer's may be interested: http://transparenyc.org/mbpocommunitygrants/parks/
-
On March 22, 2013, at 7:18p.m., Amanda said:
Our next garden meeting will be Sunday April 7th, location TBD. Plan on going over garden bylaws and planning for phase 1 (vertical garden).
Have a survey out to see what people are interested in doing and the types of plants that should be in the garden. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YYCQNSC
We are still waiting for official approval/license, but GreenThumb has submitted our request and it is under review.
-
On April 01, 2013, at 3:17p.m., Amanda said:
Meeting will be at 2pm April 7th on the vacant lot; 330 Saint Nicholas Ave.
-
On April 11, 2013, at 1:03p.m., Amanda said:
We have raised over $1,000 on ioby and are ready for our first work days April 20th & 21st from 11am-4pm. Day 1 we will be cleaning the lot and day 2 we will building the vertical garden and setting up a rain barrel.
-
On April 17, 2013, at 7:56p.m., Amanda said:
Got an article published about the garden in the NY Daily News
-
On April 22, 2013, at 9:26a.m., Amanda said:
We made great progress this weekend on the lot and talked to a lot of people from the community who are excited to have a garden on the block.
We now have a website and are on g+, Facebook, twitter, and flicker. Will soon be on foursquare and pinterest.
http://www.stnicholasmiraclegarden.org/We were awarded $500 from the Manhattan Composting grant and can now starting planning out the compost center.
-
On April 28, 2013, at 9:23p.m., Paula at 596 Acres said:
We got this awesome note from an organizer today: "The lot got moved to parks and rec and we got the paperwork for the Green Thumb license for a 4 year renewable lease. We are on the agenda for the CB 10 parks meeting on May 10. Holding meetings twice a week in preparation for our next work days May 18-19."
-
On May 01, 2013, at 11:33a.m., Amanda said:
Documents have been submitted to Green Thumb and waiting to be official!!
Also had a story published in the Columbia Spectator
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2013/05/01/locals-hope-transform-vacant-lot-community-garden -
On May 13, 2013, at 2:20p.m., Amanda said:
Our next work day will be Sunday May 19th from 11am to 5pm to build planters.
-
On May 14, 2013, at 7:58p.m., Amanda said:
We officially have our Green Thumb license!!!!
-
On May 15, 2013, at 11:35p.m., Kaitlin said:
AWESOME! WAY TO GO!
add a note