LUNGS MEETING Saturday, March 5
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LUNGS is meeting, Saturday, March 5 at 11 am at 428 E. 10th St. So much to talk about.
Agenda items:
3rd Annual SPRING AWAKENING PLANS
We will celebrate Spring Awakening 2016, Saturday, April 16. We will consolidate the festivities with one parade beginning at 1:30,pm at 6B Garden walk up Avenue B to 12th St go east on 12th and come down Ave C and culminate at El Jardin del Paraiso for a little food, music, poetry and much more
In addition to food and music we would like to incorporate Gardens Rising into the afternoon. We would like to have a El Jardin Walkabout with members of the Gardens Rising Steering Committee, El Jardin gardeners and anyone else interested in the process. This would give us an real opportunity to specifically address issues in El Jardin, talk about ideas and discuss solutions. It would be a very dynamic discussion because we would literally be immersed in the garden.
Solar 1 has also agreed to make a presentation at Spring Awakening to talk about solar ideas for the gardens sand the neighborhood.
We also hope to have a bike tuneup workshop at Spring Awakening.
we are looking for more environmental workshops and fun activities for the day, bring your ideas
LUNGS BOARD ELECTIONS:
According to our by-laws, LUNGS is due for board elections this Spring.
Board members serve for two year. According to our by-laws there must be a minimum of five and each board member must be from a different garden.
Board nominations will be accepted at the next LUNGS meeting, Saturday, March 5. Elections will be held at the annual general meeting, Saturday, April 2. If you are interested in serving on the board please contact us.
Currently there are five LUNGS board members; President Charles Krezell of DeColores, Vice President Maryanne Byington of Green Oasis, Treasurer Karen Kandra of Miracle Garden, Secretary Ayo Harrington of Orchard Alley and Projects Coordinator Christopher Batehhorst of Campos Garden.
STREET TREE PIT Solutions
Many people have expressed an interest in helping the tree pits in the neighborhood that are suffering because of misuse or lack of maintenance. A resolution to support the retro-fitting of our tree pits is soon to be introduced in Community Board 3’s Transportation Committee. Let’s discuss the resolution and ways we can find grant money to support improving the situation.
FINALLY FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Project Manager Position
Position Available: Project Manager, Gardens Rising Program.
Background:
Since 1996, the New York City Community Garden Coalition (NYCCGC) has promoted the preservation, creation, and empowerment of community gardens through education, advocacy, and grassroots organizing. NYCCGC is the only organization in New York City by and for community gardeners, who often live in low-income communities of color that face disproportionate environmental justice and health challenges.
Program Background:
The NYCCGC is a recipient of Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery funding from the New York State Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR) to undertake a feasibility study for stormwater capture best practices within the community gardens of the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The project known as Gardens Rising will combine community participation with engineering expertise, to develop green infrastructure to increase permeability and stormwater capture within forty-seven (47) community gardens located in the Study Area.
The NYCCGC is seeking a qualified individual to fill the position of “Project Manager”.
This position plays a critical role in a fast-changing organization. Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Project Manager will be responsible for assisting in the selection, engagement and management of designers and architects. A primary responsibility will be to ensure that technical deliverables align with the vision of the Gardens Rising project, and that deliverables are cost effective.
Applicants should have a positive attitude, possess strong organizational skills, and have the ability to work independently. Applicants should have experience in managing projects with tight timelines and have the ability to minimize project risk. Applicants should also have track record of managing projects that have been delivered on time and within scope and budget.
The Project Manager will report directly to the Executive Director of NYCCGC.
Job Duties:
The following are the general responsibilities for the position of Project Manager, split into two phases.
Phase 1 (Master Plan)
Provide support and advice in developing the RFP for design/engineering firms.
Provide support and consultation to the Steering Committee through all phases of the Master Plan.
Devise and implement a timeline in support of the final feasibility study.
Act as a liaison between the Steering Committee, the community, the NYCCGC and the design/engineering firm.
Develop guidelines for data collection.
Establish and support technical design and reporting requirements.
Provide vision and strategies for all aspects of the Garden Rising project.
Evaluate professional services firms and assist the Steering Committee with the selection of professional services firm.
Facilitate design charrettes in coordination with community gardeners and other stakeholders.
Collaborate with a professional services firm to research legal and technical viability of project design proposals.
Build upon existing relationships and cultivate new relationships with existing job placement programs, local tech start-ups, and members of the local community.
Assist with education, communications, and marketing strategies within the vision of the Gardens Rising plan.
Identify potential fundraising opportunities to further the vision of the Master Plan.
Phase 2 (Implementation)
Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation.
Manage changes to the project scope, project schedule, and project costs using appropriate techniques.
Perform outreach to local job training workforce/placement programs.
Work with a professional services firm to insure that the project is constructed in accordance with the contract requirements and specifications.
Organize and maintain working knowledge of all project plans, contracts, purchase orders, drawings and all other project related documents.
Track and report on project success with coalition members and other stakeholders.
Coordinate with staff and community/business partners to support implementation of project.
Regularly report on project progress to the Steering Committee.
Skills and Knowledge Requirements:
Ability to effectively multi-task and meet deadlines.
Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills are necessary.
5 years’ experience in project/construction management.
Familiarity with green infrastructure best management practices (highly preferred).
Spanish fluency (highly preferred).
Knowledge of the Lower East Side community and Community Gardens (highly preferred).
Must be available to work flexible hours (including some evenings and weekends).
Salary: PT hourly $50/hr, 10 hours a week.
Responses Due: March 21, 2016.
NYCCGC is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. NYCCGC provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination against all employees and applicants based upon race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, national origin and ethnic origin, age, citizenship, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
Persons requiring reasonable accommodation to participate in this hiring effort are requested to contact Mr. Aziz Dehkan by email at aziz@nyccgc.org.
NYCCGC strongly encourages Section 3 residents to participate in this hiring effort. Information to determine if you are a Section 3 resident can be obtained by contacting Mr. Dehkan at the email address provided above.
Happy Monkey Year
2016 marks our 6th year, LUNGS was formed in September of 2011.
ELECTIONS:
According to our by-laws, LUNGS is due for board elections this Spring.
Currently there are the five board members; President Charles Krezell of DeColores, Vice President Maryanne Byington of Green Oasis, Treasurer Karen Kandra of Miracle Garden, Secretary Ayo Harrington of Orchard Alley and Projects Coordinator Christopher Batehhorst of Campos Garden.
Board members serve for two year. According to our by-laws there must be a minimum of five and each board member must be from a different garden.
Board nominations will be accepted at the next LUNGS meeting, Saturday, March 5. Elections will be held at the annual general meeting, Saturday, April 2. If you are interested in serving on the board please contact us.
SPRING AWAKENING
We will celebrate out Third Spring Awakening 2016, Saturday, April 16. We will consolidate the festivities with one parade beginning at 2pm at 6B Garden walk up Avenue B to 12th St go east on 1th and come down Ave C and culminate at El Jardin del Paraiso.
CSA
Our fourth year of the LUNGS Fresh Food Bag CSA will kickoff in June depending on the crops and continue until Thanksgiving.
We hope to continue our collaboration for the third year with NYC’s Summer Youth Employment Program. We are currently seeking funds to pay two college interns to supervise the twelve high school students working in the gardens for six weeks.
HARVEST ARTS FESTIVAL
This year we will have our 5th Annual LUNGS Harvest Arts Festival on September 24 & 25. Keep the dates open.
Open discussion on Elizabeth St Garden
The Village Independent Democrats will sponsor a forum tomorrow, to discuss Elizabeth St. Garden’s pending destruction to make way for affordable housing.
That’s tomorrow, Thursday, February 11 at St. John’s Lutheran Church Annex at 83 Christopher St. The general meeting is scheduled for 6:30, and open to the public. The forum will begin about 7:15.
The forum will hear from both sides including Toni Bergman, — head of CB2 who wants housing
elsewhere in order to save the Garden – and K Webster, from M’Finda Kalunga Garden. who wants
affordable housing on the Garden site.
This Thursday ROUNDTABLE and Holiday Party
This Thursday, Dec. 17, Gardens Rising continues with its round-table series
From noon until 2:00 p.m. at the Neighborhood Preservation Center, located on 232 E.11th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.
This week’s round-table features:
Tessa Hexley, former director of Battery Park City Parks Conservatory.
John Shuttleworth, Civil Engineer.
Wendy Brawer, founder of Green Map System.
JK Canepa, community activist.
Samuel Robinson, community driven landscape design firm Greenwood Robinson.
Gardens Rising Roundtables bring together experts, stakeholders and the public for a brainstorming session to discuss nature-base, green infrastructure in the Community Gardens on the Lower East Side.
Gardens Rising is inspired in Super Storm Sandy, a project funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development through the state of New York to control flooding in vulnerable city areas with nature-based infrastructure in our NYCCGC community gardens.
Also This THURSDAY PARTY
LUNGS is having Holiday Party!! Thursday, December 17 at the fabulous Royale, 157 Ave C between 9th and 10th Sts, from 6-8pm. Please come and join us for cup of cheer and toast the season. We thank the Royale for their generosity in giving us this space.
GARDENS RISING LOGO CONTEST
Gardens Rising is moving forward but needs a great logo. so we are having a contest with $500 awarded for the winning design. See below for contest rules.
Gardens Rising Logo Competition
Rules
1. The deadline for submission is Friday November 27, 2015.
2. All submissions must include, “Gardens Rising” in the design.
3. All entries must be accompanied by your name and contact information.
4. By submitting an entry, you agree to be bound by the competition rules and transfer all rights of the design without limitation to Gardens Rising to use, display, make copies, publish in any media, alter, etc. Entries will become the sole and exclusive property of the Gardens Rising.
5. Submit original artwork or comprehensive layouts. The work must be original. Consideration should be given to simple reproduction capabilities to a number of media processes. Artwork must be reproduced in not more than four-match colors. Gardens Rising reserves the right to adjust reproduction art for optimum reproducibility to a variety of visual processes.
6. The logo should be easily displayed and usable in both color and black-and-white environment.
7. A short paragraph, explaining the concept of the design, is required.
8. If all entries are deemed unsuitable or unqualified, Gardens Rising will have the right to determine whether to extend the dateline, reject all submissions and declare the competition ended without awarding a winner or hold another competition in the sole and absolute discretion of Gardens Rising.
9. Gardens Rising reserves the rights to modify the competition rules and regulations at any time.
10. All entries must adhere to the entry specifications outlined below.
Eligibility
1. Competition is open to anyone in New York City.
2. Participants must submit only two final product (s) to aziz@nyccgc.org.
Entry Specifications
1. All entries must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi or be in vector format.
2. All entries must be no smaller than 1200 x 1200 pixels and no larger than 2400 x 2400 pixels.
3. All entries must be submitted electronically in either PDF (.pdf), JPEG (.jpg), TIFF (.tif), Portable Network Graphic (.png), Encapsulated Post Script (.eps) or Adobe Illustrator (.ai) format.
4. Entries must be multicolor.
5. Only two entries per person will be accepted.
Winner Selection
Gardens Rising will have right to pick any final Logo Contest to be used as the official logo for Gardens Rising.
Awards
Winner will receive $500 from Gardens Rising award for their design.
Two Very Important Meetings: Saturday 11-14 & Monday 11-16
Please try to attend
Your support needed Tomorrow
The official announcement of GARDENS RISING will take place tomorrow, Monday, November 2, 2015 at 10 am at La Plaza Cultural. We are asking all gardeners to show our unity and support for this very important project by attending and making your voices heard.
GARDENS RISING is a New York State funded project to build green infrastructure in the Loisaida community gardens for storm water capture and abatement. This is a $2 million grant through the HUD-funded NY Rising program, which came as a response to Hurricane Sandy.
New York City Community Gardens Coalition (NYCCGC), and their partners NYC Parks’ GreenThumb and LUNGS (Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens) will announce this Community Development Block Grant. This is Disaster Recovery funding from the New York State Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR) to undertake a feasibility study for stormwater capture best practices within the community gardens of the Lower East Side of Manhattan and to implement the study with an extensive green infrastructure.
This is a two-phase project. The first phase is to develop a Feasibility Study and Master Plan. The Master Plan will combine the best of community engagement, landscape design, engineering and creative thinking about storm water management with cost effectiveness and sustainable practices. The Master Plan will be approved by October 2016 and will end phase one. The second phase is the implementation the Master Plan, construction must be completed by September 2019.
GARDENS RISING is a community based operation, all decisions will ultimately be made by the gardeners affected, gardens can choose to participate or not. A Steering Committee of gardeners will be elected and make the final determinations as to the Master Plan.
This as a huge step forward for our community gardens. We are finally being recognized as a vital environmental asset. GARDENS RISING puts us at the center of the greening movement in New York City.
We hope to parlay this grant into other funding to build other sustainable systems throughout Loisaida and become a Green Lab for the City. We can look at this as seed money to attract more greening programs and grants into our remarkable and diverse community. GARDENS RISING should be interwoven other projects involving permaculture, renewable energy, conservation, local food production, rat abatement policies, composting practices, citizen science, and other ideas and practices that will evolve with this process.
We have much work to do to make GARDENS RISING a success but for now let’s celebrate our community gardens and think this new opportunity to contribute to our common future.
So Tomorrow–Please join City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, City Councilwoman Rosie Mendez, Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, many other electeds and your fellow gardeners for this important announcement.
Boos and Bravos on Halloween Weekend
Halloween Garden celebrations this weekend:
Friday, October 30 at 3pm–Children’s Magical Garden, 129 Stanton St, corner of Stanton and Norfolk
Fri 3 PM · Children’s Magical Garden
Music, delicious food from local sources including hot cocoa and sandwiches from Tiny’s Giant Sandwich Shop, goodies, apples, pumpkin painting, art making, games, bulb planting, fairy card readings, community, dancing bananas, super heros, elves and sprites under the apple trees…
Come One, Come All to the Children’s Magical Garden’s annual Halloween Party!
It’s a free event with all donations benefiting our community garden! Come join the fun!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31
LA PLAZA Cultural–9th St and Ave C
Come and get Slimed…!
4pm Spooky Storytime with the Witch
5-7pm Kids’ Halloween Party
Rat Race MAze, Fortune TELLER, Laboratory of Horrors, Slime Tent, Ghost Walks and Treats
Also Saturday night—
LUNGS Halloween DANCE PARTY — at CAMPOS GARDEN—
640 E. 12th St between Aves B & C–8PM ON,
LA MUSICA by Ray Santiago and Friends
CELEBRATION–Costumes? Oh YEAH!!—-Come as You Ain’t
TRIX ARE FOR KIDS–BRING YOUR OWN TREATS
Dance Gypsies Dance !!
MONDAY PRESS CONFERENCE FOR GARDENS RISING
at LaPlaza Cultural 10am
PLEASE come to this Press conference and learn more about this important project.
On Monday, November 2nd, at 10 A.M. New York City Community Gardens Coalition (NYCCGC), with our partners NYC Parks’ GreenThumb and LUNGS (Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens) will announce that we are the recipient of Community Development Block Grant. This is Disaster Recovery funding from the New York State Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR) to undertake a feasibility study for stormwater capture best practices within the community gardens of the Lower East Side of Manhattan and to implement the study with an extensive green infrastructure.
The Study — Gardens Rising — will combine community-based participation with engineering expertise, to develop a green infrastructure study and Master Plan to increase the permeability and stormwater capture within forty-seven neighborhood/community gardens located in Lower Manhattan.
This is a two-phase project: the first phase is to develop a Master Plan. This Master Plan will combine the best of landscape design, engineering and creative thinking with cost effectiveness and sustainable practices. The Master Plan will be approved by October 2016. The second phase is the implementation the Master Plan, and construction must be completed by September 2019.
In general, the Master Plan will examine the feasibility, costs, benefits and impacts of proposed stormwater capture locations and methods to increase permeability and green space in the neighborhood gardens to better absorb stormwater and runoff. The Study Area is roughly bounded by 14th Street on the north, the East River on the east, Delancey Street on the south, and the Bowery/Fourth Avenue on the west, and is home to forty-seven (47) gardens measuring approximately seven (7) acres.
The majority of the gardens reside within an area that was severely flooded during Superstorm Sandy and many were impacted directly by the storm. When completed the Plan will identify projects that will implement green infrastructure and stormwater capture systems to better outfit these gardens and neighborhoods. Each garden has its own governance and will be able to propose specific projects inside and adjacent to their lot(s). Flood Zone geography dictates areas that must be given priority.
Gardens Rising is a community-based operation, and all decisions will ultimately be made by the gardeners affected. Gardens can choose to participate or not. A Steering Committee of gardeners will be elected and will make the final determinations as to the Master Plan.
This is a huge step forward for our community gardens, which are finally being recognized as a vital environmental asset. It puts community gardens at the center of the greening movement in New York City. We intend to parlay this grant into additional funding to build other sustainable systems throughout the five boroughs and become a Green Lab for the City.
NYCCGC envisions this as an opportunity to attract more greening programs and grants into our community. Gardens Rising should be interwoven with permaculture, solar energy, rat abatement policies, composting practices, citizen science, and other ideas and practices that will evolve with this process.
NYCCGC has been assisted in developing Gardens Rising by NYC Parks’ GreenThumb which provides material support, technical assistance, and programming to over 600 community gardens and 500 school gardens across New York City. These community gardens, managed by neighborhood residents, provide critical urban green space for thousands of New Yorkers in addition to helping to improve air quality, bio-diversity, and environmental equity.
The 4th ANNUAL LUNGS HARVEST ARTS FESTIVAL IN THE GARDENS
4th ANNUAL LUNGS HARVEST ARTS FESTIVAL IN THE GARDENS
Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27, 2015
38 Community Gardens
Loisaida / The East Village / The Lower East Side / The Village
WHAT TO EXPECT
• A multidimensional arts festival that reflects the creative spirit of the neighborhood and the integral part that community gardens play in the culture and life of Loisaida.
• Scheduled events include music, dance, performance, films, photography, puppets, environmental workshops, yoga. Each garden is designing its own program, so we know it will be interesting.
CHECK OUT THE PROGRAMS BY ARTS CATEGORIES
We hope you’ll join us for an hour, a day, or the full weekend.
HERE IS THE SATURDAY PRoGRAM TiMELine
WHERE TO GO
38 Gardens are participating in this year’s Festival
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS BY GARDENS
Dias y Flores 13th St (A & B)
Relaxation Garden 13th & Ave
El Sol Brillante, 12th St (A & B)
Children’s Garden, 12th St (Ave B)
Campos Gardens, 12th St (B & C)
East Side Community High School Garden, 11th St (1st & A)
11BC Garden, 11th St (B & C)
Toyota Children’s Garden, 11th St (B & C)
9C Garden, Ave C (9th St)
La Plaza Cultural, Ave C (9th St)
DeColores Community Garden, 8th St (B & C)
Earth People Garden, 8th St btwn Aves B & C
Firemen’s Garden, 8th St (C & D)
Green Oasis and Gilbert’s Sculpture Garden, 8th St (C & D)
Creative Little Garden, 6th ST (A & B)
6B Garden, Ave B (6th St)
6BC Botanical Garden, 6th St (B & C)
Generation X, 4th St (A & B)
Secret Garden, 4th St (Ave C)
Parque de Tranquilidad, 4th St (C & D)
El Jardin del Paraiso, 4th St (C & D)
Orchard Alley, 4th St (C & D)
Miracle Garden, 3rd St (A & B)
All People’s Garden, 3rd St betw Aves C & D
Los Amigos, 3rd St betwn Aves B & C
Umbrella House Rooftop Garden, 21-23 Avenue C, between 2nd & 3rd Streets
Peachtree Garden, 2nd St betw Aves B & C
Kenkeleba House Garden, 2nd St (B & C)
Le Petit Versailles, 2nd St (B & C)
Liz Christy Garden, Houston at Bowery
Dorothy Strelsin Suffolk St Community Garden, Suffolk (Houston & Stanton)
Children’s Magical Garden, Norfolk & Stanton Sts
Siempre Verde Garden, Stanton St (Clinton & Attorney)
Elizabeth St Garden, (Prince & Spring)
LaGuardia Corner Gardens, LaGuardia Pl (Bleecker & Houston)
M’Finda Kalunga Garden, Christie & Rivington
Elizabeth St Garden, Elizabeth St betw Prince & Spring
New Forsyth St Garden Conservancy, Forsythe St & southside of Delancy
WHAT IT COSTS
Nothing. Nada.
NEED TO KNOW MORE?
Press, performers, painters, philanthropists. Email info@LUNGSnyc.org
Curiosity seekers. Facebook: www.facebook.com/LUNGSnyc and LUNGS Website: www.lungsnyc.org
HOW IT HAPPENS
The 2015 LUNGS Fourth Harvest Arts Festival in the Gardens is organized by LUNGS (Loisada United Neighborhood Gardens), with a tremendous group of volunteers and the support of our generous neighborhood businesses.
LUNGS CSA Fresh Food Bag meeting this Saturday
We will be meeting this Saturday June 20, at noon at DeColores Garden, E.8th St Btwn Aves B & C, to make plans for this year’s LUNGS Fresh Food Bag CSA.
The program is going to begin Sunday, June 28 at Campos Garden on E.12th St.
Please come or send a rep from your garden to this meeting on Saturday. We will have signup sheet for the first week’s CSA. We will also ask garden reps to come up with a list of their gardeners who want to begin the program the first week and the money to place the order.
The program will continue to operate as it has for the last two years; as a, week to week, $10 per order, program. Once again we are working with the Acevedos Family Farm from Orange County.
The first five Sundays, through July, the program will operate out of Campos Garden on E.12th St between Aves B & C.
We need bags! Last year we supplied bags at the beginning of the season and they all disappeared by the end. So please bring good sturdy bags that can carry 10 pounds of produce. Again, we are going to have honey as a separate order and we are discussing ordering eggs.
We need people to volunteer to make this program possible. If you are able to contribute some time, please join us.
In August we will move to Green Oasis. In September Orchard Alley will host the program. El Jardin del Paraiso has offered to host October. The CSA will end at La Plaza Cultural in November.