Volunteers still locked out of Ridgewood community garden

BY KELLY MARIE MANCUSO

The Ridgewood Community Garden has been padlocked since late June, when the MTA first issued a vacate order prohibiting access to the land beneath the M train tracks between Woodbine Street and Woodward Avenue.

Despite the efforts of garden volunteers and community leaders such as City Councilman Antonio Reynoso and Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, the MTA is standing by their decision to physically clear the land and destroy the garden on Aug. 3.

“A few days ago, [the MTA] took down their signs for us to evacuate, but they’re still being firm on Monday, Aug. 3, being the date when the whole lot is cleaned,” explained a garden volunteer. “This week we hope to reach out to Reynoso and Nolan again to see if they can help mediate with the MTA so we can maintain access to the lot.”

But all is not lost, according to garden volunteers. The group hopes to continue to raise awareness of the lack of green space within the neighborhood, while struggling to cultivate an outdoor hub for the community and local agriculture.

“No matter what the outcome, I think we need to foster as much community engagement as possible,” garden volunteer Leah Blair said. “It isn’t about the physical space, but what it represents.”

The garden volunteers raised the idea of distributing free “seed bombs” (packets) to the community to help encourage independent interest in urban gardening.

“The seed bomb can carry the greening of our urban landscape beyond the fenced oasis,” Blair said.

Garden volunteers ask that members of the community gather at the site on Aug. 3 in a show of support.

For updates and more information, visit the Ridgewood Community Garden’s Facebook page.

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