Community+Gardens

= Bush wick Community Gardens by: Kiara Rodriguez, Sara Basilio =    Because of the fire in Bushwick caused by the great blackout in 1977, many of the lands in Bushwick became either empty or became a dump. Over the years the empty spaces became parking lots, waste dumps or vacant lots. The community in Bushwick fought for the vacant unused spaces because they wanted to create gardens rather then buildings. Many of the vacant lots became buildings but others became gardens. [|Liz Christy] Liz Christy was a founder of Green Guerrillas. Green Guerrillas was first started in the year 1973, when environmental groups began to throw seed and water over the lots. Soon it became a grassland program and an urban renewal project that brought the community together. Green Guerrillas began to attracting attention and winning awards. When they started it began to attract attention from many different communities. It was so popular that surrounding communities began to participate by donating equipments (seeds / gardening tools).

 Some of the active Community Gardens in Bushwick are:

__**The Secret Garden Project**__ located at the corner of Linden St & Broadway,Bushwick, Brooklyn [] Founder: Sean - Micheal Flemming **The secret garden was created June 14th 2008 by the** **Bushwick Community. It was transformed from an abused mini forest to a wildlife haven, also used as class rooms for near by schools! All this was done by members of our community. Many people don't know about this garden because it is hidden but once in it you are able to forget the noise of the city and relax with beautiful flowers plants and other natural resources! ** __** Decatur Street Community Garden **__ 1052 Decatur Street Brooklyn, New York  Decatur street community garden designed by [|Edie Kean] is now used by not only the community and people of Bushwick but also as a learning center for student at P.S45. In this community garden many things such as crab apples, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, beans and basil! All grown by the children and people of the Community! <span style="background-color: #498d4d; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: center;"> =**<span style="background-color: #498d4d; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: center;">__Eldert Street Garden__ **= <span style="background-color: #498d4d; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">315 Eldert Street Brooklyn,N.Y. 11237 <span style="background-color: #498d4d; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #498d4d; display: inline; font-family: Georgia,serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">Eldert Street community garden was designed and created by the community its self. This garden was a project in which everyone in the community chipped in to help create! This Garden caries from tomato's to  <span style="background-color: #498d4d; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">sunflowers to cucumbers and even beans!

All these Gardens create not only a healthy environment for the community but also a safe and quite yet great place for children and teens to get away from the dangers and troubles of the world! Because Bushwick doesn't have many healthy food choices these gardens are good for the environment! it creates a healthier food choice for everyone in Brooklyn! <span style="background-color: #498d4d; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: center;">