New York City is often known as a “concrete jungle.” While we envision a gray and black landscape, not many pay attention to the actual green foliage that quietly engulfs the city. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the interest in green spaces heightened and highlighted the necessity of green areas for people living in New York in order to ensure their well being. One way to encounter and interact with green spaces are the many different community gardens spread all over NYC, which have a long history dating back to the 1970s.
But what is a community garden? Our project uses methods of data visualization and ethnographic interviews to explore who, how and what is accessible within these green spaces and what the effects of these gardens mean for the community that surrounds them. Our audience centers mainly around those already involved, as we are approaching what they are familiar with from a research perspective. By bringing awareness to the effects of these gardens, we hope to improve the current standing of them on both a local and state level.
![Stone pathway surrounded by lush green trees ending on a black iron fence. Following quote from community garden member is displayed: "It's not just fruits and vegetables anymore, It's a place where people can come and sit and relax. "](https://digitalgarden.commons.gc.cuny.edu/files/2022/05/ciatet2-03-945x1024.png)
![Multiple volunteers surrounding planting grounds at 100 Quincy Community Garden. Plants are enclosed in a hexagonal border and there is a greenhouse like structure situated towards the back.](https://digitalgarden.commons.gc.cuny.edu/files/2022/05/Billede-uden-citat-02-945x1024.png)
![Plants enclosed in a hexagonal border taken at 100 Quincy Community Garden. Quote given by a garden member is displayed: "Uh, what am I most proud of? That we've survived. I mean the city over time has tried to, you know, get rid of us."](https://digitalgarden.commons.gc.cuny.edu/files/2022/05/citat1_Tegnebraet-1-1-945x1024.png)
![Hand painted mural of garden at El Sol Brillante. There are also multiple recycling bins as well as a gray shed that displays a orange sign reading Public Food Scrap Drop-off Site.](https://digitalgarden.commons.gc.cuny.edu/files/2022/05/billede1-02-945x1024.png)
![Fence, tree and light green graffitied apartment building in front of Liz Christy Community Garden. Following quote by community garden member is displayed, :You put a seed in the ground and then, you know months later you have strawberries, you have tomatoes, you have cucumbers. I mean that is a big joy"](https://digitalgarden.commons.gc.cuny.edu/files/2022/05/citat-storre1-05.png)
![Winding dirt pathway with large trees, wooden shed and two individuals sitting on a bench.](https://digitalgarden.commons.gc.cuny.edu/files/2022/05/billede2-02-945x1024.png)