Uniting NYC Community Gardens Since 2011

Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens (LUNGS) was formed in 2011 as a grassroots community gardens-based organization to unite the many volunteer-run community gardens in Loisaida, the Lower East Side and the East Village. LUNGS works to promote, protect and preserve gardening and greening through cooperation, coordination and communication. We believe that permanent community gardens and public greenspaces are necessary for a healthy New York.

LUNGS advocates on behalf of membership diversity, permanent community gardens and public green spaces. All community gardens are run by volunteers, who accept their role as stewards of the earth and strive to contribute to the health and well-being of our neighborhood. The gardens each have their own unique personality; each is managed under their own governing rules. Through advocacy and outreach, LUNGS provides support and encouragement for each garden’s needs through various projects and programming.

We sponsor arts and entertainment in community gardens; contribute to a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program; provide educational programming for children and seniors; supervise the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) in community gardens; and host neighborhood garden celebrations and workshops, including the annual Spring Awakening and Harvest Arts Festivals.

We work very closely with the 52 community gardens in our neighborhood and welcome conversations with other greening organizations throughout New York City.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President, Charles Krezell, Fireman’s Memorial Garden, De Colores Community Yard & Cultural Center

Vice President, Aitor Zabalegui, La Plaza Cultural de Armando Perez Community Garden

Treasurer, Karen Kandrac, Miracle Garden

Carmine D’Intino, 6&B Community Garden, Creative Little Garden

Camille Marlow, East Side Outside Community Garden

Carolyn Ratcliffe, Carmen Pabon Del Amanecer Jardin

Christopher Batenhorst, Campos Community Garden

Frank Gonzalez, St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery Garden

George Hirose, Children’s Magical Garden

Jim Feely, Green Oasis & Gilbert’s Sculpture Garden

Kevin Vasher, Dias Y Flores Community Garden

Laura Sewell, El Sol Brillante

Magali Regis, Campos Community Garden

Margarita Calderone, 6BC Botanical Garden

Michael Hinds, 11 BC Serenity Garden

Riki Colon, Sam & Sadie Koenig Garden

Shawn Dahl, DeColores Community Yard

Shig Matsukawa, Down to Earth Garden

Vito Di Tomaso, Vamos A Sembrar