LIC Roots Community Garden

For many New Yorkers, especially those of us living in the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of Long Island City, Queens, finding serene green spaces that also foster a sense of community can be a true gem. While our city boasts grand parks, it's often the smaller, community-driven initiatives that truly capture the spirit of local engagement and sustainable living. The LIC Roots Community Garden is one such exceptional place, transforming an industrial corner of LIC into a vibrant oasis that honors history, cultivates nature, and brings neighbors together.

Established in 2000, LIC Roots began as a grassroots effort by passionate neighbors determined to inject some greenery into the industrial fabric of 47th Avenue. Its origins are deeply meaningful, serving as a memorial for the late Firefighter Michael E. Brennan, a native of Sunnyside, who tragically lost his life on September 11, 2001, while responding to a distress call at WTC 7. This garden, therefore, is not just about plants; it's a living tribute, a place of reflection, and a testament to community resilience. Located uniquely over the tracks of an unused railroad, it stands as a prime example of innovative urban reclamation. With the support of elected representatives, Community Board 2, Queens, and a license for community beautification from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, LIC Roots has flourished. It's a place where gardening, education, and social connection intertwine, offering a much-needed green sanctuary and a testament to what dedicated New Yorkers can achieve when they come together.

The LIC Roots Community Garden is thoughtfully situated in Long Island City, Queens, at 47-08 30th Street, NY 11101, USA. This central LIC address places it within a dynamic and increasingly residential neighborhood, making it highly accessible for many New Yorkers. Its unique location directly over the tracks of the unused Degnon Terminal Railroad adds to its distinctive character and backstory, transforming industrial infrastructure into a vibrant green space.

For those relying on New York City's extensive public transportation system, reaching the LIC Roots Community Garden is convenient. The garden is within a reasonable walking distance from several subway stations that serve Long Island City. Depending on your starting point, nearby subway lines could include the 7, N, W, R, M, and E trains, offering multiple access points from Manhattan, other parts of Queens, and Brooklyn. Checking the MTA map for the most direct route to a station near 47th Avenue and 30th Street would be advisable. Bus routes also traverse the Long Island City area, providing additional accessibility. As a community garden, it is designed to be a local amenity, encouraging walking and cycling for nearby residents. While specific public parking information is not typically associated with community gardens, street parking might be available in the surrounding residential and commercial areas, though it can be competitive, as is common throughout New York City. Its embedded nature within the urban fabric means it’s a refreshing sight for anyone navigating the bustling streets of Long Island City.

The LIC Roots Community Garden, as a vibrant community-run green space, offers a range of services that primarily benefit its members and the wider Long Island City community. These services are more about fostering collective action, environmental stewardship, and social connection rather than commercial offerings:

• Individual Garden Plots: A significant service offered by LIC Roots is the provision of individual raised vegetable beds. While there is a lengthy waiting list, these plots allow dedicated community members to cultivate their own produce and engage in hands-on gardening. Four of the six raised vegetable beds are tended by individuals.
• Communal Green Space and Beautification: The garden features shared areas including a lawn surrounded by flower beds at grade, a memorial Flag Pole, and a hard-surface patio. These communal spaces contribute to the overall beautification of the neighborhood, providing a pleasant environment for relaxation and community gatherings.
• Environmental Education and Collaboration: The garden actively collaborates with local schools, such as Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Secondary School for Arts and Technology, and Queens International High School. Two raised vegetable beds are specifically used by Robert F. Wagner students for educational purposes, providing practical learning experiences in horticulture and sustainability.
• Rainwater Harvesting Demonstration: The garden includes a rainwater harvesting shade structure, built with assistance from GrowNYC. This structure, which is 10' x 20' and collects rainwater into a 250-gallon raised cistern, serves as a practical demonstration of sustainable water management techniques.
• Community Building and Engagement: By providing a shared space for gardening and outdoor activities, the garden fosters social interaction and community cohesion. It's a place where neighbors can meet, collaborate, and build relationships, enhancing the fabric of Long Island City.
• Historical and Memorial Significance: As a memorial to Firefighter Michael E. Brennan, the garden serves as a site of remembrance and reflection, offering a unique civic and historical service to the community.

The LIC Roots Community Garden is notable for several distinctive features and highlights that make it a unique and valuable asset in Long Island City:

• Memorial Garden Status: A significant highlight is its dedication as a memorial to Firefighter Michael E. Brennan, who lost his life on 9/11. This imbues the garden with a profound sense of purpose and remembrance, making it more than just a green space but also a civic tribute. The memorial Flag Pole is a central element.
• Unique Location Over Unused Railroad Tracks: The garden's construction directly over the tracks of the unused Degnon Terminal Railroad at 47-08 30th Street is a testament to innovative urban planning and reclamation. This creative use of post-industrial land is a remarkable feature.
• Extensive Soil Remediation Effort: The garden was built by first bulldozing out 140 cubic yards of garbage and replacing it with 160 cubic yards of clean dirt. This significant effort highlights a commitment to creating a healthy and safe growing environment on formerly contaminated land.
• Diverse Zoned Areas: The garden is thoughtfully divided into four distinct zones: a lawn area with flower beds and the memorial flagpole, a hard-surface patio with raised beds and plank seating (constructed by local high school students), an area with a rainwater harvesting shade structure, and a section with six raised vegetable beds (four for individuals, two for students). This varied design offers multiple uses and aesthetic experiences within one space.
• Rainwater Harvesting System: The presence of a 10' x 20' shade structure that collects rainwater into a 250-gallon raised cistern (built with GrowNYC's assistance in 2008) is a key feature emphasizing sustainable practices and water conservation.
• Educational Partnership with Local Schools: The active involvement of students from Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Secondary School for Arts and Technology and Queens International High School in building and tending garden beds highlights its role as a living classroom and community resource.
• Community-Managed and Member-Driven: While specific operations are managed, the garden thrives on the collective effort of its members. The presence of a lengthy waiting list for individual raised beds underscores its popularity and the high demand for such community-driven green spaces in LIC.

As a community garden, the LIC Roots Community Garden does not operate with commercial "promotions" or "special offers" in the retail sense. Its value is inherent in the public and communal benefits it provides. Rather than sales or discounts, the garden offers opportunities for participation and enrichment to the local community.

The "offers" available at LIC Roots are more akin to:

• Opportunity for a Raised Vegetable Bed: For dedicated local gardeners, the chance to secure one of the individual raised vegetable beds is a highly sought-after "offer." While there is a lengthy waiting list, joining the garden allows members to grow their own food and contribute to the garden's overall success.
• Hands-on Gardening Experience: For those interested in learning about urban gardening, horticulture, or sustainable practices, the garden provides an invaluable hands-on learning environment, whether as a plot holder or potentially through broader volunteer efforts (though information on general volunteer shifts is not as readily available as for some other community gardens).
• Access to a Peaceful Green Space: The garden's serene environment offers a free "offer" of tranquility and connection with nature in a bustling urban neighborhood. It’s a place for quiet reflection, enjoying the beauty of cultivated plants, and observing urban wildlife.
• Community Connection: The garden inherently promotes social connection and community building. Engaging with LIC Roots offers the "special offer" of meeting like-minded neighbors and becoming part of a supportive local network.
• Educational Exposure: Through its partnership with local schools and the inherent demonstration of sustainable practices like rainwater harvesting, the garden offers a passive educational experience for all who visit or learn about its operations.

To inquire about joining the waiting list for a plot or about potential ways to get involved, contacting the garden directly via its email (licrootsgarden@gmail.com) would be the best approach. The intrinsic value of contributing to and benefiting from a shared green space in the heart of Long Island City is the primary "promotion" this garden offers to its local community.

For New Yorkers interested in learning more about the LIC Roots Community Garden, inquiring about plot availability, or exploring potential ways to get involved, here is the contact information:

Address: Long Island City, NY 11101, USA (specifically, 47-08 30th Street, as per GrowNYC)

Email: licrootsgarden@gmail.com

While a direct phone number for the garden is not publicly listed, email is the primary method of contact for community gardens of this nature, allowing for detailed inquiries and communication about membership, events, or general information. You can also often find information and updates about LIC Roots Community Garden through its affiliation with GrowNYC, a prominent environmental organization that supports community gardens across New York City. Checking the NYC Parks GreenThumb website might also provide additional information or points of contact related to community gardens in the city.

The LIC Roots Community Garden is exceptionally suitable for New Yorkers, particularly those residing in Long Island City, for several compelling reasons. In a rapidly developing urban environment like LIC, green spaces are precious commodities, and this garden offers a vital and accessible opportunity to connect with nature without leaving the neighborhood. For residents seeking a personal green escape, the opportunity to cultivate their own plot, though often with a waiting list, provides an unparalleled connection to food production and the therapeutic benefits of gardening right at their doorstep.

Beyond individual plots, the garden serves as a communal sanctuary. Its beautifully maintained shared areas, including flower beds, a memorial flagpole, and a patio, offer a peaceful spot for reflection, quiet enjoyment, or casual encounters with neighbors. This fosters a stronger sense of community, allowing New Yorkers to build connections and friendships that might otherwise be difficult to forge in a bustling city. The garden's historical significance as a memorial to Firefighter Michael E. Brennan adds another layer of meaning, making it a place where residents can not only enjoy nature but also honor local heroes and reflect on shared history.

Furthermore, LIC Roots embodies sustainable living right in our urban backyard, with features like its rainwater harvesting system and its unique construction on reclaimed industrial land. It’s a living example of how innovation and community effort can transform underutilized spaces into vibrant, ecologically beneficial assets. For locals, it's not just a garden; it's a testament to community resilience, a hub for local engagement, and a vital green lung that enhances the quality of life in Long Island City, making it a truly invaluable part of our urban landscape.

LIC Roots Community Garden

Long Island City, NY 11101, USA