Gregory Heller

Executive Summary
This paper examines two of the, arguably, most utilized community gardens in the Alphabet City area. These gardens are the Chico Mendez Mural Garden that has been destroyed, and the Green Oasis Community Garden that has been preserved. I approach the issue of garden preservation through an analysis of community use of the two gardens and the asset that they represent to their community. The discussion includes community use and the history of these gardens as well as the activities and programs that exist or existed in them.
The beneficial effects of these two community gardens are examined through anecdotal information. The creation and presence of community gardens has a grounding and stabilizing effect on the immediate surrounding community and its residents. This idea is examined through anecdotal information. Gardens provide a safe haven, of sorts, for children. They are a venue for the imagination of the community. Schools utilize them as outdoor science classrooms and theater groups use them as amphitheaters and stages.
Community garden groups are asked to prove to the local community board and to the Parks Department that they are an asset to the community. If a garden group can present such proof, it is likely that the governmental and pseudo governmental organizations at play will support their bid for preservation. There are cases, however, when a cherished and utilized garden is not preserved, rather destroyed for some other land use.
Both gardens examined in this paper proved themselves to be assets to the community. Green Oasis, in its 21 year history, played host to countless cultural and educational events. The garden also has strong ties with the community, Operation Green Thumb, and the Trust for Public Land. The Chico Mendez Garden also established itself as an open venue for cultural and artistic event and maintained an inviting open-hours schedule in its three years of operation. The Mendez Garden, however, did not have a relationship with Green Thumb, Community Board 3 or the Trust For Public Land. It was founded on a more militant ideology and had the misfortune of existing on a parcel of land that had already been slated for development. Even though the Mendez Garden played an instrumental role in improving the block where it was located and was so treasured by local residents and artists from all over the city and world, it was not preserved.
The paper examines the issues that surrounded the preservation of the Green Oasis Community Garden and the destruction of the Chico Mendez Garden. These two gardens could not be more similar in their service to, and involvement with the community. Their fates, however, could not be more different.