Environmental Initiatives
New York City (NYC)
Community Gardens
The Open Space Greening (OSG) program empowers neighborhoods to build and sustain community gardens and other open spaces. OSG program was founded in 1975. It has created or rejuvenated over 60 community gardens across NYC and continues to cooperate with schools, public housing associations and community groups to transform vacant land into vibrant civic spaces.
OSG has also led the initiative of bringing rainwater harvesting to community gardens. Through the OSG's training and outreach efforts, there currently are rainwater harvesting systems in 62 gardens in all 5 boroughs. Rainwater harvesting reduces demand on the public water supply system and helps mitigate rainstorm runoff, which can overload storm drains and pollute the waters surrounding the city.
Source:
Grow NYC - Community Gardens