Curtis 50 Cent Jackson Community Garden

Came here one time and check out this Garden that 50 cent put together nothing special here… just a few trees and flowering vines… its a small garden. but its nice he making the neighborhood nice… its located right across the street from Baisley projects…

While Curtis «50 Cent» Jackson may give himself a bad rep for his gangsta lyrics he sure knows how to give back to the Community. In a partnership with actress and Environmentalist Bette Midler, founder of New York Restoration Project the Baisley Park Community Garden was transformed into a complete safe space for the people of the Southside Jamaica Community.
Flanked by the Baisley Houses and the LIRR (Long Island Railroad) Fiddy’s garden is a sight to behold. Fully equipped with large funnels which work as a rain capture system (and also provide shade) raised bed plots and an overall handsome layout the 1.5 acre garden hosts workshops, school visits and Community meetings, and is in its 2^nd year of existence.
I enjoy green activities (as evidenced by my name) and I found out that they were hosting the first of a 4-​part «Managing Your Harvest» workshop through the Neighborhood Gardening Institute.
The sight of vines and trellises running through the gates and the framed walkway reminded me of a vineyard. Not to sound corny but it made my eyes widen with hope, and mind swell with endless possibilities to see such an ambitious project developing across the street from another project, a housing project where the outside doesn’t seem as pretty.
Many times the outer boroughs are treated like forgotten ghettos, only flanking the «Big City» by association and proximity. The further you get from Manhattan the more you can see these amnesic qualities, and Southside Jamaica is one of those places.
This garden is one example of the people taking climate change into their own hands, because while «50» may have sponsored it’s resurgence the idea had to start from the first garden and it had to watered, and nurtured into fruition until it hit someone on the head that it’s bed could be expanded.
Complete with benches, shade and dozens of raised beds, fresh air, and good vibes the Curtis «50 Cent» Community Garden is a place that will continue to grow and be the push for advocacy that the community needs to build upon among other things. It is open everyday from 9 – 5, and hosts a number of workshops and events.
Peas and Blessings.