Cornell Cooperative Extension

Rockland County

Community Gardens

What is a Community Garden?
Many communities offer residents a dedicated growing space to maintain a garden. Community gardens exist in urban, suburban, or rural locations. Flowers, vegetables and/or herbs can be grown. Schools, hospitals, churches, parks and neighborhoods often host community gardens. Depending on the garden’s rules and organizational structure, individuals are assigned a plot of land and can grow their own food, donate food, or sell it at a market.


Benefits of Community Gardens

  • Builds community cohesion and youth engagement. Provides opportunities for intergenerational and cross-cultural connections.
  • Exercise and outdoor time Improves the quality of life for people in the garden.
  • Teaches about food, farming and environmental stewardship (educational).
  • Generates fresh produce; expands access to nutritious food, often where grocery stores are scarce. Reduces family food budgets.
  • Can provide jobs, workforce development and training.
  • Is a way of responding to climate change.
  • Beautifies neighborhoods and preserves green space.
  • Can support local economic development.


Planning a Community Garden
Advanced planning is required to start a community garden. Topics to consider include garden design and plot size; soil conditions and testing; composting; site preparation; fencing and pest management; planting—annual or perennial, organic or non-organic; water access; and organizing and communicating with volunteers and the community.

There are costs associated with maintaining a garden. Some community gardens collect membership dues, while others use crowdsourcing or find a sponsor to cover expenses such as tools, seeds, garden signage, water bills, fencing, and tool shed.

Agree on garden rules or guidelines to outline the roles and responsibilities of gardeners. Establish how plots are assigned; how basic maintenance, such as watering and weeding, is handled; and how gardener drop-outs are handled.

Resources
Here are some resources to help start a community garden:
Start a Community Food Garden: The Essential Handbook, by LaManda JoyAmerican Community Gardening Association, see Resources 


Community Garden Start-up Guide by University of California Cooperative Extension


Fencing Fact Sheet (Link to Fact Sheet 183)


Starting a Vegetable Garden (Link to Fact Sheet 219)


Pest Fact Sheet (Link to Fact Sheet 89)


Composting Fact Sheet (Link to Fact Sheet 162)

Community Garden Locations in Rockland County, New York

Catholic Community Services of Rockland Community Garden
78 Hudson Avenue, Haverstraw, NY
Contact: 845-942-5791; getinfo@ccrockland.org

Haverstraw Community Garden
50 Broad Street, Haverstraw, NY
Contact: Rolanda Sand, 845-429-0300; accountspayable@vohny.com



Marydell Garden of Faith
640 North Midland Avenue, Upper Nyack, NY
Contact: 845-358-5399



Nauraushaun Community Garden in Pearl River
Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church, 51 Sickletown Road, Pearl River, NY
Contact: kevin@hudsoncenterny.org



Nyack Community Garden
South Franklin Street, between Depew and Hudson Avenues, Nyack, NY
Contact: nyackcommunitygarden@gmail.com; nyackcommunitygarden.info



Piermont Community Garden
545 Piermont Avenue, Piermont, NY
Contact: piermontgarden@gmail.com; piermontcommunitygarden.blogspot.com



Spring Valley Community Garden
21 Memorial Park Drive, Spring Valley, NY



Stony Point Community Garden
Patriot Hills Drive (near court house), Stony Point, NY
Contact: Village of Stony Point, 845-947-5261



Village of Montebello Community Garden
One Montebello Road, Montabello, NY
Contact: Regina Rivera, 845-368-2491; planningzoningclerk@villageofmontelbello.com

Resources: American Community Garden Association and Cornell Cooperative Extension, Allegany County.

Last updated June 5, 2024

Gardening