Capital
District Community Gardens
seeks land donations
January 25, 2010
ALBANY
- Area non-profit organization Capital District Community Gardens
(CDCG) is seeking parcels of land in area cities to convert into
multiple-plot organic vegetable gardens. The organization currently
operates 46 community gardens -- primarily in low-income city
neighborhoods -- allowing approximately 900 families to add abundant
quantities of organically-grown fresh produce to their diets. By the
end of 2014, CDCG will develop ten new gardens to provide growing
space for dozens more families through the region.
According to Program Manager Sharon DiLorenzo, CDCG is looking for
vacant lots starting at about 2,500 square feet, with good exposure
to sunlight.
“People are sometimes surprised when they find out what would make a
good community garden space,” she notes. “We can use demolition
sites, lots that need trees and shrubs removed, odd-shaped lots that
might not be suitable for building…as long as there’s plenty of sun
and it’s not on a steep grade, it might work for us.”
DiLorenzo adds that she never considers it a waste of time to go
evaluate a potential garden space, and encourages anyone who might
be interested in donating land to contact her. “Unless there’s a
building on the space, or the property is on a steep hillside, we
wouldn’t rule it out without a visit.”
She also points out that in addition to providing multiple benefits
to the community, there can be significant tax benefits for the
donors themselves.
While the organization’s need for space is most acute in a handful
of underserved locations – the Goose Hill area of Schenectady,
northern and western Albany, South Troy, Rensselaer and Scotia –
CDCG would be eager to open new gardens in virtually any suitable
urban area.
Any landowners considering property donations to Capital District
Community Gardens should contact Sharon DiLorenzo at 518-274-8685 or
trees@cdcg.org
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