I love this photo of a New York City community garden. When you live in an urban area, green space is quite the luxury.
While reading this publication, I was reminded about the New York Office of Community Gardens with the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets. Pursuant to NY Ag & Mkts Article 2-C, Section 31-h, the duties of the office are as follows:
(1) identify vacant public land suitable for community gardens;
(2) coordinate interested community groups with appropriate state or local agencies to facilitate the use of vacant public land for community gardens;
(3) support and encourage community garden programs already in existence; and
(4) seek and provide assistance to community gardens.
New York state agencies have the power to make state lands available for community gardens. Furthermore, the government must respond to requests to use public land for community gardens within 30 days and to make a final determination within 180 days.
Interested in learning more about the NY Community Gardens Program? I recommend reviewing resources here (and for those of you in New York City, check out NYC Parks GreenThumb). For more information on available grants for community gardens in New York public parks, review this.