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Just in time for spring, a new learning garden bloomed in Brooklyn last week. Just under the J train at Putnam Street in Bushwick, a number of park officials and neighborhood children gathered for the official ribbon cutting of Umoja Garden, a small park with a learning garden and an outdoor classroom.
The new garden is part of the City Parks Foundation’s Learning Gardens, a program that teaches young New Yorkers about environmental science through direct interaction with soil, plants, compost, and a green ecosystem. The Umoja Garden is the first learning Garden in Brooklyn, and the third to be constructed in the city.
The project was spearheaded by the City Park’s Foundation and the Parks Departments Brooklyn office. Kyle LeClair, a local Eagle Scout from Troop 237 decided to make the project as his Eagle Scout Project, and played a crucial role in the site’s transformation from a neglected eyesore into a community green space.
“This was originally a vacant Greenthumb lot, but we came in, dumped in some new soil and dug a trench for the plant beds,” explained LeClaire, who was honored for his efforts at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This isn’t the greatest neighborhood, and there aren’t a lot of places for kids to learn about gardening. Now they have a park to do just that. It’s really come a long way.”
“It looked horrible,” said David Revel, executive director of the City Parks Foundation, describing the former condition of the lot on Broadway. But now it’s a beautiful park that kids can visit to learn about gardening. The opening of Umoja Garden continues our mission to connect New Yorkers to their parks, enriching neighborhoods with outdoor programs that enhance city life. ”
The green ribbon on the new garden was cut last Friday morning by representatives of the Parks Department, including Commissioner Adrian Benepe, the Parks Foundation, and students from nearby PS 309k and PS 5k, who couldn’t have been more excited to be there.
“There is no better place to teach New Yorkers the importance of sustaining a healthy environment than a beautiful public garden,” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe.
“The name of the new garden, ‘Umoja,’ is a Swahili word that means ‘working together,’ and it is an especially appropriate moniker for an outdoor facility that will not only educate students but will bring together members of the community.”
In addition to offering garden classes year-round to city schools, Umoja Garden will hold classes for neighborhood kids who haven’t had a chance to come with their school, and have open garden hours for the neighbors to stroll, sit, and visit the peaceful new park.
Youngsters from PS 309k and PS 5k helped plant the new flower bed at Umoja Garden in Bushwick.
Umoja Garden’s outdoor classroom will provide students with first-hand gardening and biology experience.
Umoja Park’s green ribbon was cut by students and parks employees and volunteers last Friday morning in Bushwick.
Kyle LeClaire receives a plaque recognizing his work on the Umoja Garden from David Revel, Executive Director of the City Parks Foundation and Adrian Benepe, Commissioner of the City Parks Department.
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