Promoting Community Presence Through Gardening
About the Garden
This neighborhood garden has been a beloved community space for over 30 years. The site hosts educational programming, health and fitness classes, movie nights, live music, dancing, general events, and informal gatherings. The space is run voluntarily by local residents and is open regularly to the public.
In the late 1970s, namesake and founder Jane Bailey worked to repurpose this lot into a garden. Through generous support from community volunteers and local organizations, it has grown and flourished over the years. We owe special thanks to New York Restoration Project, the Dean family, Green Guerillas, Bed-Stuy North Improvement Association, and Green Thumb.
GARDEN SIZE: 4,280 Square Feet
AMENITIES: Compost toilet, covered shelter, water absorbent rubber tiled area, lawn, picnic tables, BBQ grill, two hoses
RESTRICTIONS:
No dogs, drugs, alcohol, or smoking is allowed
Children must be monitored by an adult at all times
"What I like best about our garden is that it keeps me in tune with nature by allowing me to grow vegetables to eat and jar, experience the flowers and trees, watch hummingbirds and butterflies, and relax with friends and neighbors at barbecues and community events."
-Beryl Benbow, community garden member
Membership
Membership to the garden allows you key access to the garden, use of the composting system, the option to apply for a personal garden plot* and prioritized applications for booking the garden for events.
Members are expected to:
Abide by current garden by-laws
Pay a yearly $25 membership fee
Attend monthly garden meetings on the first Thursday of the month during the garden season (April to October).
Host open hours for the neighborhood 1 hour a week.
Contribute to garden maintenance and organizational upkeep including (but not limited to) watering member plots, sweeping walkways, turning compost, and cleaning facilities.
Express respect for community members, garden plots, garden space, and garden tools.
To become a member:
Submit an application online, in-person. or via email.
Attend 3 garden meetings
complete 3 hours of garden work within the season
pay $25 annual membership fee per family
The following misdemeanors will result in a personal membership review meeting with the Garden Membership Committee and possible dismissal from garden membership status:
missing more than two garden meetings without prior notification
displaying behavior that is aggressive, rude, or negative towards other garden members
*New members are not guaranteed a personal plot. Once all work hours have been completed and plots become available, a new member can apply for a personal plot.
Community Garden Events
Jane Bailey Memorial Garden has hosted morning yoga, movie nights, writer's talks, salsa dancing, and evening jazz for the community.
See photos of past events on our Instagram account.