Liz Christy Community Garden
Shocked by the freezing death of four homeless people in an empty lot in 1973, resident and artist Liz Cheney teamed up with a group of gardening activists to form the Green Guerillas. Throwing “seed bombs” into fenced-off lots, they started New York City’s community garden movement. This garden is considered the city’s oldest. Walking amidst the flowers and indigenous plants, you can hardly imagine the difficulties those young green pioneers and gardeners faced nearly 50 years ago.
E. Houston Street, between Second Avenue & Bowery
Entrance sign with brief history, featuring Liz Christy in the original garden
Luscious apricots ready to be picked
Window overlooking the garden at dusk
A burst of color in the early morning light