« The Haunted Houses of Bed-Stuy 10/16 | Home | The Haunted Houses of Bed-Stuy 10/17 »
Bedford Avenue Garden Gets a Major Facelift
By The Changeling | October 17, 2007
A few weeks ago, a reader tipped me off about the changes going on at the community garden located on Bedford between Willoughby and Dekalb (Thanks, AE!). The garden has undergone a major overhaul since I first mentioned it on the blog early last summer. Apparently the New York Restoration Project is responsible for the creation of this beautiful garden. The project was funded by Target (which explains the red dot motif, I suppose).
My tipster, AE, sent me an email about this garden’s Open House New York event two weekends ago. I missed the event (and the post), so I have no idea when (or if) this garden will be open to residents. I bothered the guy who was doing the gardening there a few days ago and asked him about the opening date, but he said that he wasn’t sure.
It’s amazing how gorgeous this new garden is. I can’t wait to actually get in there and use it. There’s a lounge area with deck chairs near the far wall.
When I visited the New York Restoration Project’s website, I learned that the founder of the organization is Bette Midler. Given the wonderful improvement that NYRP has brought to this area of our neighborhood, I can almost forgive Ms. Midler for terrorizing us with “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Almost.
Courtesy NYRP
The designer of this garden is Sean Conway. I really wish I could hire him to spruce up my backyard. Thank you, Sean, for bringing your talent to Bed-Stuy! To read more about Mr. Conway’s work click here.
This is what the garden looked like back in June of this year. As you can see, Mr. Conway can do miracles. 
 
October 17th, 2007 at 9:35 am
OH MY GOSH!!!! Can you say “TRANSFORMATION”…This garden is beautiful. I drove by 2 days ago and had to pull over, parked my car and walked over to take a closer look. It is so beautiful to see it in person. I was wondering who did the work on it. I hope they do open it up to the public but upcourse with proper supervision.
Thanks to Sean Conway, Bette Midler and NYRP for making such a generous donation to our community…GOD, its beautiful.
October 17th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
That’s AWESOME!!!!! It’s gorgeous!!!!
October 17th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Do you know what was up with “grand opening” party? I live down the street from the park and have even tried to get involved in this “community” garden in the past, to no avail, and yet I had no idea something was happening. However, hundreds of other people apparently knew about the target sponsored celebration, they were all wandering around the nabe with target gear. Although most of them were heading back to the train to take them back to whatever OTHER community they came from. And now the garden is locked and beautiful but not actually part of the community? Sounds like this garden serves beautifully the corporate sponsors political agenda, but not really in any meaningful way our community.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
my husband and i live in this block too and we had the same experience as joebob. i also tried to get involved with planting there when i saw some flyers around over a year ago, left several messages at the number on the flyer and never heard back. since then, its always been locked and neither my husband or i have seen anyone working in there. and then nearly overnight, this transformation happens. weird. we had no idea it was happening until we saw the crowds on the street after the opening.
October 17th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
I live on Spencer Street - 1 block away from the garden. We received an invite for the party via email from someone in our building who is somehow involved with the organization. We didn’t end up going but heard the music from our apartment. The invite said Bette Midler was going to be present at the opening and they were giving away Target gift bags. Thought that was weird…
October 18th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Those dots are deeply disturbing although the garden is pretty. One discrete red bullseye would have done the job. Target has literally written its logo on the landscape and that is offensive. Would Park Slopers have allowed this?
October 20th, 2007 at 11:33 am
I went by today and there is a sign for a meeting October 24th at Mt Zion church on Bedford btw dekalb and willoughby for the new park rules and info about access. Not sure the time. Look on gate.
October 20th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Thanks for that info., Erin!
October 29th, 2007 at 10:59 am
[...] this garden is on the 400 block of Hancock and apparently it has started sprouting red dots like another community garden mentioned on a previous post. This garden looks really nice. Is this another neighborhood improvement from the red retailer? If [...]
July 10th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Here we go again! Probably this back yard lot was the so-called Bed-Stuy “Communiteeeeee” garbage dump! Betting a million dollars; not even one of the residents of this so-called “Commmuniteeeee”; never ever bend down to pickup one piece of gum rapper from the lot.
All of sudden…all these so-called concern “Communiteeee” naysayer’s are complaining about overkill corporate logo’s. Just hoping the nabes Bed-Stuy “Communiteeeee” residents don’t turn this beautiful “Garden Landscape” into a drug den, a thug or homeless hangout!!! Just love these naysayer’s Quotes!
2:38> all wandering around the nabe with target gear. Although most of them were heading back to the train to take them back to whatever OTHER community they came from. And now the garden is locked and beautiful but not actually part of the community? Sounds like this garden serves beautifully the corporate sponsors political agenda, but not really in any meaningful way our community.
1:31> those dots are deeply disturbing although the garden is pretty. One discrete red bullseye would have done the job. Target has literally written its logo on the landscape and that is offensive. Would Park Slopers have allowed this? Yeah right!
I want as a new comer (pioneer) to Bed-Stuy, to thank the new recent residents during the past 2yrs to “New Bed-Stuy” & corporate sponsors for making an ugly back yard Bed-Stuy “Communiteeee” garbage dump into a beautiful Garden Landscape for our “Communiteeee”
July 16th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
911NewYorker your subtle racism is disturbing. Thanks for coming to our nabe! I sure hope you don’t leave any gum wrappers in our garden.
July 17th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Joebob 8:27p> Sorry if you & others in the communiteeeee took it as “subtle racism” & might have caused ruffled feathers to you; but to me…I see it as a wake up call! The bullsh!t has to stop now! When so-called “Bed Stuy” residents just dump their gum wrappers in full view of everyone to witness; right on the sidewalk as they pass by within a foot of an empty trash-can. It just speaks volumes. Again…sorry, but I’m going to call it the way I see it!!! Oh…by the way; I don’t chew gum.