Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Community Gardeners Win Permanent Protections
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Nov 30, 2010
Modified Nov 30, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Nov 30, 2010
Modified Nov 30, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Community garden volunteers praised recent Parks Department rules which will prevent the land from being developed as long as the gardens are registered and licensed by the department. But many gardeners worried that the next administration won't be as kind to community gardens as Bloomberg has, and want more permanent protections. Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe (father of Quidditch Association founder Alex Benepe) announced an extension of the license terms for Parks community gardens. He said in a statement, "We are pleased to have worked with the City Council to extend the license term for gardens and to strengthen their protections."
The new provisions will license and register parks for four years, instead of the previous two, starting in January. It also requires that if a gardening is failing or inactive, the Parks Department must identify a gardening group to take over and give them nine months to restore the garden. Licenses will continue to be renewed as long as the garden meets registration criteria. Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito said, "This is a common sense move that will continue to help preserve our city's gardens in the short term. I look forward to continuing to work with the Department to explore measures that will provide for stronger long-term protections."
Christine Quinn insisted this was an important step to long-term protection of gardens. She said, “These will be the first licenses that will be in effect into the next administration, so it underscores that these gardens are meant to endure, regardless of who is in office."
Tagged
adrian benepe
community gardens
parks department
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. ET
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .