Rodale Pleasant Park

Rodale Pleasant Park Community Garden, located at 437 E 114th St, New York, NY 10029, USA, is a cherished green sanctuary in the heart of East Harlem. Functioning as a vital Scenic Spot, this community garden is a testament to the transformative power of local initiative and dedicated partnerships. It provides a peaceful retreat from the urban bustle, offering both aesthetic beauty and practical benefits for the surrounding neighborhood. Owned by NYC Parks and a proud member of the GreenThumb program, the garden operates with the support of the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), a testament to its commitment to urban greening and community well-being.

The environment of Rodale Pleasant Park is meticulously cultivated to create a serene and productive space. One reviewer aptly describes it as a "peaceful place," highlighting its calming atmosphere. The garden, spanning approximately 10,058 square feet, was built from a vacant lot in 1998, a significant revitalization effort championed by Bette Midler's New York Restoration Project. The original effort to reclaim the space and build planting beds was undertaken by the nearby Little Sisters of the Assumption (LSA), a social services organization in the neighborhood, with a group mainly comprised of immigrants from Mexico.

Visitors are greeted by neatly organized rows of "boxed-in garden plots," creating a sense of order and abundance. A path adorned with cobblestones winds through the middle, inviting leisurely strolls. The garden is shaded by the leaves of a weeping willow, offering a natural canopy and a sense of intimate enclosure. Overhanging vines add to the lushness, and a diverse array of plants, including cabbages, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, lettuces, mint, basil, peppers, okra, grape, cilantro, tomatillos, and beans, thrive within its confines. Even stray cats can be seen "sunning themselves among the cabbages and the squash," indicating a harmonious co-existence with nature.

The garden's design incorporates sustainable elements, reflecting a commitment to environmental conservation. These include a rainwater collection system, which uses water from a neighboring roof for irrigation, and a composting toilet ventilated by solar energy panels. These features not only promote eco-friendly practices but also serve as educational examples for visitors and gardeners alike. The garden's "diverse membership" and "welcoming" spaces further contribute to its inviting atmosphere, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and community.

As a community garden, Rodale Pleasant Park offers a range of services that extend beyond simple beautification. Its primary service is to provide "17 raised vegetable beds" for its dozens of regular gardeners, allowing them to cultivate their own food. This fosters self-sufficiency and provides access to fresh, healthy produce in an urban environment. Gardeners, who include individuals traveling from as far as Lower Manhattan and Midtown, commit to "four hours every month to water the plants and to maintain the garden's appearance," underscoring the collaborative effort required to sustain this green space.

The garden is a hub for environmental education and community engagement. It regularly hosts public events that encourage participation and learning. Examples include "Herb Garden Day," where renowned herbalists share knowledge on using cultivated herbs and wild plants as food and medicine. These events are often free and open to all ages, requiring no prior experience. Other events, such as the "Community Garden Summer Fair," feature hands-on street tree care workshops, arts and crafts, compost photo booths, worm bin exploration, scavenger hunts, and opportunities to plant seeds and collect free compost. These activities highlight the garden's commitment to educating the public on sustainable practices, gardening, and environmental stewardship.

Rodale Pleasant Park is open to the public during specified hours, ensuring broad accessibility. Between April 1 and October 31, the garden is open on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The presence of a composting toilet and readily available water for refilling bottles further enhances the visitor experience.

While the garden does not explicitly sell goods, the abundance of food grown by its members and the sharing of free compost and seeds during events demonstrate a valuable form of community service, promoting food access and sustainable living. The garden also features a "free book-share box," encouraging literacy and shared resources within the community.

Rodale Pleasant Park boasts several innovative features that contribute to its functionality and appeal. The garden's design, a winning competition entry by Billie Cohen Ltd. and executed in partnership with the New York Restoration Project, emphasizes sustainable construction methods. These include the use of bales of hay with plaster covering to frame the beds and offer views of a nearby church. A "habitat garden attracting butterflies and hummingbirds" further enhances biodiversity and aesthetic appeal.

The garden's commitment to sustainability is evident in its "on-site Clivis composting toilet ventilated by solar energy panels," which produces 100% liquid nitrogen, and the "1,100-gallon rainwater collection system" that provides irrigation water. A garden shed and meeting room were also constructed using sustainable straw-bale construction techniques, showcasing eco-friendly building practices.

Beyond its ecological features, the garden fosters a strong sense of community. Its "membership is diverse," and there is even a waiting list for gardening spaces, indicating high demand and active participation. The presence of a "colorful, tile patio mosaic designed by neighborhood children" adds a unique artistic touch and a sense of local ownership. The garden also includes a barbecue grill, facilitating communal meals and gatherings, which are an integral part of community garden life.

Rodale Pleasant Park is situated next door to the iconic Rao's Restaurant, giving it a notable landmark for visitors. Its location within East Harlem, a vibrant neighborhood, contributes to its character and ensures it serves as a crucial green space for local residents.

The ongoing vitality and active programming of Rodale Pleasant Park are its most effective promotional tools. Its transformation from an "underdeveloped lot" into a flourishing garden is a compelling story of urban renewal. The garden's partnership with renowned organizations like the New York Restoration Project and its support from the Rodale Family Foundation (who also organized the donation of garden supplies) lend it significant credibility and visibility. The active involvement of community members, from the original residents who first reclaimed the space to the current diverse membership, highlights its grassroots appeal.

Public events, such as the "Herb Garden Day" and "Summer Fair," are widely publicized through NYC Parks and NYRP channels, drawing in new visitors and volunteers. The opportunity to learn practical skills, receive free compost and seeds, and connect with nature in an urban setting serves as a strong draw for environmentally conscious individuals and families. The fact that it is a "peaceful place" and a "nice" spot to relax, as noted by a satisfied visitor, is invaluable word-of-mouth promotion. For those seeking to engage with the garden, information about open hours, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming events can be found on the NYC Parks GreenThumb website and the New York Restoration Project's website. The garden's address at 437 E 114th St also makes it easily discoverable for local residents looking for a tranquil escape or an opportunity to participate in urban agriculture.

Rodale Pleasant Park

437 E 114th St, New York, NY 10029, USA