Res. No. 1033
Resolution calling upon the Mayor of the City of New York to preserve the existing Green Thumb Community Gardens and to set aside more parkland, open space and vacant lots to be developed as permanent Green Thumb Community Gardens.
By Council Members Foster, Brewer, James, Koppell, Mark-Viverito, Mealy, Palma, Sanders Jr., Gonzalez and Jackson
Whereas, There is insufficient parkland, open space and vacant lots that have been made available to the City’s gardeners as permanent Green Thumb Community Gardens; and
Whereas, There is the need for properties in neighborhoods with less than 2.5 acres of open space per 1,000 persons to be developed as Green Thumb Community Gardens; and
Whereas, There is the need to purchase lots through City, State, Federal and private resources to develop new Green Thumb Community Gardens, especially in neighborhoods with less than 2.5 acres of open space per 1,000 persons; and
Whereas, There is the need for all new housing developments with public open space to include Green Thumb Community Gardens as part of the public open space; and
Whereas, There is the need for any Memorandum of Understanding or agreement between the State and the City respecting property that is being used as a Green Thumb Community Garden to include provisions to protect the continuing existence of the garden, including provisions to map the garden as parkland or designate it as open space; and
Whereas, There is the need for any Green Thumb Community Garden that is abandoned or receives multiple violations from any City or State agency to be offered to other gardeners, and if none are found, to be developed as mapped parkland or designated open space; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Mayor of the City of New York to preserve the existing Green Thumb Community Gardens and to set aside more parkland, open space and vacant lots to be developed as permanent Green Thumb Community Gardens.
LS#3726
08/28/07
CJS