Photo credit: www.gardenista.com
The Future of Elizabeth Street Garden: A Community’s Fight for Green Space
The ongoing battle to preserve Elizabeth Street Garden has reached a pivotal stage. Last week, a hearing took place concerning an appeal against the city’s decision to evict and close this cherished garden. The outcome remains uncertain; the question looms whether this unique and beloved community space will survive or be sacrificed for development. As someone who has navigated these streets, I can attest that this isn’t merely a “not in my backyard” response. Elizabeth Street Garden stands as the only remaining park in the Little Italy and SoHo neighborhoods that hasn’t been paved, a critical green refuge in an area with just 0.7 acres of public green space available for every thousand residents, translating to roughly three square feet per person.
During my time residing on Mulberry Street, I often found solace in the garden, previously a school playground that was off-limits to the public. Even just looking at the collection of Belle Époque artifacts and delightful wire furniture brought a sense of relief amid the tightly packed surroundings famously captured in Martin Scorsese’s films. The importance of greenery cannot be overstated, especially as it contributes significantly to mental well-being.
Recent updates on the situation underscore the urgency for community involvement. The images highlighted by Valery Rizzo for Gardenista showcase not only the beauty of the garden but also its historical significance. Much of the statuary and ironwork on display was salvaged from opulent Gilded Age mansions located upstate and on Long Island, serving as a poignant reminder of New York’s vibrant history.
Statistical data indicates that this portion of the Lower East Side faces one of the lowest public open space ratios in the city. Such a limitation reflects the area’s development history, which predated the planning innovations of influential figures like Frederick Law Olmsted. The extension of Manhattan’s street grid facilitated the creation of Central Park—a considerable distance from the densely populated Little Italy and SoHo neighborhoods. In contrast, green spaces in downtown Manhattan have been alarmingly scarce, leaning more towards the themes described in Jacob Riis’s classic work How the Other Half Lives than the upscale image often associated with “NoLita.”
Initially, the garden was managed by antique dealer Allan Reiver, who rented the land from the city. He transformed the neglected lot by planting trees and arranging his eclectic collection throughout the space in an informal manner, creating a unique and inviting environment for the community.
As the decision regarding the garden’s future hangs in the balance, the voices advocating for its preservation have grown louder, underscoring the collective desire for more accessible green spaces in urban environments. This fight transcends mere land use; it strikes at the heart of community identity and the pressing need for public parks in our densely populated neighborhoods.
Source
www.gardenista.com