Esperanza Garden (El Jardin de la Esperanza)
New York, United States · Operator: Community residents (founded by Alicia Torres)
Overview
An iconic East Village community garden that became a flashpoint of anti-development protest.
Citizen participation
Residents grew medicinal plants, kept chickens, and used it as a safe space for children.
Operating model
Informal community garden on city land with weak legal protection.
Impact
Sold for BFC Partners' condos under the Giuliani administration; on 15 Feb 2000 the city arrested 31 defenders and razed it just before a restraining order was signed. Lesson: community gardens on city land can be lost to a single political decision.
Crops
- medicinal plants
- vegetables
Scale
マンハッタン East 7th St。2000年2月15日に破壊 (bulldozed Feb 2000)
In the media（2）
Web articles and features that cover this case.
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