22 Jul 2019 DECADE OF FIRE Heads Outdoors!
Appalled by the devastation he witnessed during his historic walk through the burnt-out sections of the South Bronx, in 1977 Jimmy Carter pledged $500,000 for new parks and recreation facilities, part of a $10 million proposal for immediate aid to the area. That proposal eventually led to the allocation of $1.2 million in federal and New York State funds for community garden and parks development in the South Bronx. The grant required a 50 percent match of local funds–monies the bankrupt city government could ill afford. So, in one of the first official recognitions of the value of sweat equity, gardeners tallied up their volunteer hours–as well as the bricks, beams, and fallen telephone poles they’d recycled from their devastated community, and even the compost they generated–in order to come up with $300,000. The city made up the remaining $900,000 through street trees and sidewalk improvements.
The gardens became catalysts for community development. “Once people succeeded with the garden, they went on to other things like fixing the schools, housing, creating jobs, whatever was needed,” says Taylor. In the Bronx, some of the community groups that emerged through the early greening schemes include the Bronx Frontier Development Corp, the Institute for Local Self Reliance, and the People’s Development Corp.
Sarah Ferguson, A BRIEF HISTORY OF GRASSROOTS GREENING IN NYC
In keeping with the South Bronx’s vibrant history of revitalizing and celebrating public space, we’re thrilled to announce that we’re bringing DECADE OF FIRE to Community Gardens and Parks across the city throughout August. Join us for FREE outdoor screenings and filmmaker Q&As! Check out our schedule below and find out more info on our calendar.
