There's a Garden for Everyone Downtown
POSTED MARCH 30, 2007
If spring makes your green thumb itch, you’ll be relieved to hear that there are plenty of opportunities to get down and dirty in Downtown’s parks. Here are just a few. 
Duane Park
“We can always use people to help us,” says Oliver Allen of Friends of Duane Park. The Friends will be holding a Spring clean-up on April 14, from 9 a.m. to noon. All are welcome to cut back plants, remove winter staples such as kale, and pick up litter. The Friends need help in June, when annuals are planted, and in the fall, for bulb planting. Contact Allen at oeallen@earthlink.net for more information. At the intersection of Duane and Hudson Sts.
Battery Park City Parks
Battery Park City Parks Conservancy is looking for volunteers to work alongside its horticulturists on Wednesday mornings, from May 2 through Oct. 31, 7:30 a.m. to noon. Applications are due by Wed., April 25, and are available by calling 212-267-9700, ext. 364. Volunteers learn the art of deadheading, pruning, watering and planting and environmentally-friendly gardening techniques. Throughout Battery Park City.
Washington Market Park
Several garden plots are currently available at Washington Market Park. Each is 4 feet by 6 feet, and most get plenty of sunlight. Plot renters are responsible for keeping their area tidy throughout the season, from May 25 through Oct. 15. Fees are by contribution. For more information, contact Larry Wasser of the Washington Market Park Community Garden Committee at lfw9@aol.com. At the intersection of Greenwich and Chambers Sts.
Bogardus Viewing Garden
“We need people all the time,” says Hal Bromm of the Friends of Bogardus Viewing Garden, “for cleaning up, planting, weeding and pruning.” In the fall, volunteers can help plant bulbs. The Friends are currently looking for volunteers to help plan their Annual May Day fundraiser, which will be held in the garden on May 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include refreshments, music by TriBattery Pops, and Children’s Tumbling students walking on stilts. For information, contact Bromm at halbromm@hotmail.com. At the intersection of Hudson and Reade Sts.
Finn Square
The Friends of Finn Square recently acquired a water source in the Square (they used to drag a hose across West Broadway) and are now planning to plant a perennial garden. The Friends are looking for volunteers who would like to help with planting, pruning or watering. “People come by and thank us all the time,” says Judy Duffy, a gardener who helped transform the once concrete triangle to its current verdant state. “It’s very uplifting.” For more information, contact Duffy at 212-966-1852 or at jduffy1013@aol.com. At the intersection of West Broadway, Varick and Franklin Sts.
City Hall Park
This summer a large portion of City Hall Park will finally reopen to the public (with some restricted hours). “I’m really happy about that,” says Richard Haugland, who tends the park’s plantings. “But I could definitely use some volunteers!” Opportunities are available to weed, mulch, water, and plant in the nearly nine-acre park. Haugland often teaches a topic, such as how to prune roses, and then lets his volunteers put their new-found skills to work. For more information, contact him at plantsman8@aol.com. Bound by Broadway, Park Row and Chambers St.
Greenwich Street
According to Steve Boyce of the Friends of Greenwich Street, there are a host of volunteer opportunities available to help make Greenwich Street greener. The Friends are looking for volunteers to plant and water in the gardens and around the trees in the coming months. Volunteers are also needed to help survey for more places to plant trees. Everyone is welcome to attend the group’s next meeting on April 14 at 10 a.m. at ’wichcraft restaurant, at Beach and Greenwich Sts. For information, contact volunteer@friendsofgreenwichstreet.org. Greenwich Street from North Moore to Duane Sts.
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