COVID-19 Update
It will be a different growing season this year.
The garden is closed until further notice. Key sales are temporarily suspended as well.
Policy on Community Gardens on NYC Parks Property (updated 3/21/2020)
The World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 disease, known as the coronavirus, a pandemic. At GreenThumb, the health and safety of the public and our partners is always our top concern. In compliance with Governor Cuomo’s recent executive order, effective immediately and until further notice community gardens may remain open or closed to garden members only at the discretion of each garden group, and only for absolutely necessary maintenance and season preparation.
Due to the relatively small spaces in most gardens and the difficulty in achieving safe social distancing of 6 feet or more, gardens must remain closed to the general public.
We realize that this will be disappointing to some, but it is necessary to help protect public health. Below are details and requirements to guide garden groups, which remain in effect until further notice:
Garden Access: Access must be limited to garden members only, and only for garden maintenance and season preparation that is absolutely necessary. Gardens must remain closed to the public until further notice, and gardeners should close keep garden gates closed while working in gardens.
Events and Gatherings: All public events in community gardens on NYC Parks property are prohibited. In addition, all in-person meetings, activities, and gatherings of garden groups are prohibited. Large projects that require many hands must be postponed.
Social Distancing: Gardeners working in gardens must observe safe social distancing by keeping at 6 feet between all people at all times
Staggering Access: Garden groups must make best efforts to stagger access to gardens to minimize the number of members inside at the same time
Disinfesting surfaces: Gardeners should regularly disinfect all shared tools and spaces. Disinfection guidelines can be found on the CDC website.
Review Current COVID-19 Information:
Gardeners should review current information and guidelines on COVID-19 on the CDC and DOHMH webpage, especially with regard to populations at risk.
Please visit the GreenThumb website to stay informed of any changes as things continue to evolve. GreenThumb shares your disappointment in reducing access to community gardens, especially during a crisis, but it is imperative that we all work together to help protect public health and keep our fellow New Yorkers safe.
Anthony Reuter
Senior Outreach Coordinator
Manhattan CB 1-8, Staten Island
GreenThumb
anthony.reuter@parks.nyc.gov