Horticulture and Natural Restoration
Greenstreets
Launched in 1996, Greenstreets is a citywide program to convert paved, vacant traffic islands and medians into green spaces filled with shade trees, flowering trees, shrubs, and groundcover.
Since 1996, we have planted over 2,000 Greenstreets sites throughout the five boroughs.
To become a steward for greenstreets,
contact the Partnerships
for Parks Outreach Coordinator in your area.
GreenThumb Urban Gardening Opportunities
Established
in 1978, GreenThumb remains the nation's largest urban
gardening program, assisting 700 neighborhood groups
in the creation and maintenance of community gardens
aimed at increasing civic participation and encouraging
neighborhood revitalization. GreenThumb was initiated
in response to the city's severe financial crisis
during the 1970s, which resulted in a serious loss
of population and housing in neighborhoods throughout
the five boroughs. A tremendous amount of public and
private land was left vacant, adding an unattractive
and unsafe element to these devastated communities.
For volunteer information, please call (212) 788-8070.