Brooklyn Queens Land Trust

Warren/St. Mark's Community Garden

About Our Garden

WARREN ST. MARKS COMMUNITY GARDEN

KEYHOLDER AGREEMENT

Welcome! In the 1980s the Warren St. Marks Community Garden between Warren Street and St. Marks Place and 4th and 5th avenues was transformed from a vacant lot full of debris into a working community garden by volunteer work of people in this community. It will be made a part of the Brooklyn-Queens Land Trust after further intensive volunteer work. In order to continue to provide this neighborhood in New York City with an opportunity to collectively garden a small area of land, we rely on a commitment from each member to help maintain the space. We ask that you sign the garden registration form indicating that you understand and agree to follow the rules below.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Warren St. Marks Community Garden is to advance gardening opportunities for its members and to make our neighborhood attractive and fun to be in. We accomplish this by enjoying it from within and from without, and by working in it, walking in it, and by meeting and getting to know our neighbors.

Membership is open to anyone 16 years and older who pays a nominal annual fee and follows the garden's bylaws. We work with our local schools and other community groups to bring further gardening opportunities to more people. In recognition of our variety of members, we have both single-owner plots and group-owned plots; members are not required to tend a plot, nor are they guaranteed a plot of their own. In an effort to be responsible to our environment, we compost, and we do not allow the use of non-organic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers.

ORGANIZATION & GOVERNANCE

The running of our garden is overseen by a volunteer Steering Committee, but decisions are made by entire garden community and by consensus by whenever possible. Grievances and complaints about individual members will follow a forthcoming procedure.

Steering Committee members include the administrative coordinator, who coordinates membership and communications, the master gardener, the treasurer, the plot distribution coordinator, the representative to the Brooklyn-Queens Land Trust, a work-team coordinator and a person or people who oversee marketing, development and fundraising. With the general membership, the Steering Committee sets the rules and regulations of the garden and approves any structural additions or alterations to any portion of the garden. Any member in good standing may join the Steering Committee when there is an opening, and everyone is encouraged to take his or her turn running the garden. A household only has one vote, but two or more people may share a vote. At least one position must be filled by a resident of either Warren Street or St. Marks Place between 4th and 5th Avenues.

In an effort to keep everyone on the same page regarding garden policy, there is an annual meeting in late winter for the entire garden membership. The decisions and actions of the previous year are reviewed, and suggestions for revising the rules discussed. All members are heartily encouraged to attend. Elections for the Steering Committee are held at this meeting.

Our garden is currently owned by the Trust for Public Land, which has agreed to arrange and pay for certain structural improvements. Ownership will move to the Brooklyn-Queens Land Trust, a form of self-governance currently under construction that is made up of almost three dozen community gardens in Brooklyn and Queens. In order for this organization to take shape, our garden members must be involved in the planning process as well as the subsequent governing.

MEMBERSHIP & FEES

A member is adult who is current in his or her dues and signed the membership registration form. Other than household members listed in the contract, members may not give keys to people who have not signed the form.

Members who share a household are welcome to sign up for a single membership, with a single key issued. A member must be 16 years or older. For safety reasons, members are asked not to allow their underage family members in the garden alone. Please let the Administrative Coordinator know when someone new joins your household.

Dues of $10.00 per year must be paid by May 1st each year. Members who are able are urged to pay up to $25 a year and to consider making additional financial and material donations. When a member joins he or she will receive a key to the garden that cannot be copied. The fee for a lost key is $15; please note that it takes several days to replace a key. An installment plan for membership payment may be arranged. Anyone choosing to pay the annual fee over a period of time is requested to make their arrangements in advance so they have made full payment by May 1st of each year. Members are asked to return the key if they do not renew.

GARDENING & PLOTS Individual plots are available for planting. Allocating those plots is the job of the plot distribution coordinator. Members wishing to acquire a plot, or increase or otherwise alter their current gardening space, or tend additional space, should consult this person. Anyone wishing a plot must pay their annual dues by April 1. If you have a garden plot you are expected to actively maintain it and you must till your plot by May 1st each year. Plots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Members who do not pay their dues or till their plots risk losing the plots.

Plot-tenders must weed the walkway in front of their plots. Communal plots are also available. Members are not allowed to work in another member's planting area without prior approval of that member. Members are not allowed to harvest crops from another member's planting areas without first seeking the approval of that member. Members questioning the ownership of unharvested crops should contact the plot coordinator. Members who are unable to harvest their crops are asked to make arrangements with other garden members or contact the plot coordinator so that harvestable crops are not wasted. Picking flowers from the garden is not allowed, although members wishing to grow flowers for personal harvest may do so.

Non-organic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers shall not be used in the garden. We have several composting areas and gardeners are requested to use them. Remember, the smaller you chop things up, the quicker they break down.

Members are encouraged to take part in the communal duties involved in the operation and maintenance of the garden (watering, filling water barrels, picking up garbage, tending the compost, clearing the paths of weeds and debris, hosting open hours, etc.). A chore board is posted inside the garden.

Members are also encouraged to participate in the non-gardening work, which include mailings, meetings, committees, fundraising, capital planning and coordination with the Brooklyn-Queens Land Trust.

GENERAL

Structural additions or alterations to any portion of the garden are subject to the approval of the Steering Committee before proceeding with plans. All notices, information and ornamentation not pertaining directly to gardening activities are subject to Steering Committee approval before posting or installing in or around the garden.

The garden should be an open and inviting place for those who pass by. Members are encouraged to leave the entrance gate open while in the garden, but note that you are responsible for anyone you allow to enter. Members under 18 years old are requested to lock the gate behind them when they enter, for safety issues. The gate must be locked when a member is not present.

Anyone hosting an event in the garden, including a film or photo shoot, must notify the Administrative Coordinator, who will update a calendar posted in the chore box. The garden charges a fee for commercial use. The garden may not be used for private parties.

Please be considerate of the folks living in the buildings adjacent to the garden, and all of our neighbors on Warren and St Marks.

Pets are not allowed.

No persons will be denied access to the garden or be otherwise subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, handicap, marital status, sexual orientation or affectional preference.

Members concerned with the observance of the garden rules as they apply to themselves or to other members should contact the Administrative Coordinator to resolve questions or disputes. Garden entrances are located on Warren Street and St. Mark's Avenue, between Fourth and Fifth Avenues in northern Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Membership is open to anyone who pays an annual fee of $10 to $25. We encourage everyone to pay as much as they can afford. Payment plans are available on request.

If you still cannot afford to join, please contact the garden administrator at awn4@columbia.edu

We are currently under the ownership of the Trust for Public Land, but that will change. TPL, a non-profit organization dedicated to 'conserving land for people,' is creating a new organization called the Brooklyn-Queens Land Trust. The BQLT will be self-run by representatives from each of its 62 member gardens.

What's new?

Photos of the day the plots were built and the 2002 Local Produce Festival & Fundraiser are online now.

The minutes from this year's annual meeting (held on February 9th, 2002) are available.

Review an updated draft of the garden plan map prepared by Jon.

Comments, suggestions, and other designs are welcomed.

If you have any suggestions as to what content you would like to see on this site, or input regarding the site's functionality and design, please send Andrew an email: andrewdavidd@earthlink.net.

Important links:
Work team schedule: All plot-holders are required to participate on a work team. This season's schedule, team assignments, chores list and captains' contact info can be found here.

Our garden's bylaws: This includes information about joining the garden.

Member Registration Form: Members are required to fill this out to get a key.

We have an active email list. To get the very latest garden news, subscribe to the garden's mailing list.

Dog Policy: This includes the garden's temporary regulations and rules regarding canines.

Dog Registration Form: Please download, fill out and return this form to Sasha if you would like to open the garden temporarily to your pet (details can be found in the file).

For more information about the garden, please send email to awn4@columbia.edu.

We're growing.

Email us
Membership bethashley33@yahoo.com or joiner@jedparish.com

About US

Warren/St. Mark's Community Garden
2004 NY Times article
Garden Map (continually evolving
March 2006 Minutes