ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

COMMITTED TO PROTECTING & PRESERVING ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN WWW.ELIZABETHSTREETGARDEN.COM Letters from the Chairman and Executive Director

I am pleased to note that 2019 has been our busiest year yet at I would like to share a story I have shared many times because it is so the garden. We hosted more free programming and events while revealing about the Garden. Six years ago and just two days after my welcoming more visitors to the garden than ever before. People husband’s death, I was stopped on Prince Street by a woman I didn’t from the all around the city and the world appreciate the beauty recognize, who told me how sorry she was to hear of my husband’s of the garden, the maintenance of which we owe to our dedicated passing. I looked at her and asked if I knew her, and she simply said volunteers. she knew me from the Garden.

OUR MISSION: TO PROTECT & PRESERVE THE MAGIC OF ELIZABETH After much preparation, we filed our lawsuit to save the garden; I realized then that, while I had chosen Little Italy in which to live out and we thank our attorney Norman Siegel and the others at Siegel my retirement years because it had a neighborhood feel, it is the very STREET GARDEN AS A PUBLIC COMMUNITY GREEN SPACE AND TO Teitelbaum & Evans. This is our best opportunity to ensure that this special space that is Elizabeth Street Garden that had transformed it magical place is preserved. into a community. DETERMINE HOW THE CITY TOGETHER WITH THE COMMUNITY CAN Looking back, it is inspiring to see how far we’ve come. Having moved PROTECT THE SPACE FOR GENERATIONS TO ENJOY. in across the street in 1984, I remember when the garden was first Sincerely, open to the public through the adjacent gallery in 2005. Even now, the City continuously refers to the Garden as a commercial enterprise, harping on a limited account of the adjacent gallery’s creation of Renée Green the space. But now, especially in the nearly four years that ESG Chairman has managed the Garden, the non-profit organization has taken over complete financial and operational responsibility along with providing a detailed plan to preserve all of the unique qualities of the space as a Conservation Land Trust.

Board of Directors Elizabeth Street Garden is a unique community sculpture garden located in the Little Italy neighborhood of , between Renée Green - Chair Each year that our community preserves the Elizabeth Street Garden Experiencing how many others have connected with the garden has Prince and Spring streets. is a reminder to appreciate all that the space offers to us. Each year, always moved me and I sincerely thank all of our dedicated volunteers Joseph Reiver the garden grows as a center for our community, bringing us together and neighbors for their generous support. We simply could not Simon Roberts Elizabeth Street Garden, Inc. (ESG) is a volunteer based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and revitalizing us. We’re proud to continue fostering a sustainable have gotten this far without you. I look forward to continuing our April Valencia organization committed to exploring every option available to protect and preserve and independent organization that now operates at the level of many work together and welcoming others in the coming year. From our Elizabeth Street Garden and save our much needed community green space in renowned public spaces around New York, all at no financial cost to neighbors, nature lovers and gardeners to the artists and activists, Barry Ranganathan the City. children and seniors and everyone in between; with your help, I know Little Italy. Poppy King we will save Elizabeth Street Garden for everyone to experience its magic for years to come. Our founding members have been involved with the community lead effort to We continue to stand against the city’s divisive notion of pitting Officers save the garden since its start in 2013. ESG filed its nonprofit Certificate of affordable housing against a vital community garden, especially when more viable alternatives exist. We continue to promote a solution Joseph Reiver Incorporation with New York State in October 2016. On January 26, 2017, we received federal tax-exempt 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS. In April 2017, to this issue that achieves more affordable housing and more public Sincerely, Executive Director open space. Despite our efforts, the current administration and our ESG began managing all operations, programs, and maintenance in the garden. city’s formal land use process has failed to take a hard, objective look Patricia Squillari at the issue, and thus the City has failed our community. This is why Joseph Reiver Our committed volunteers dedicate their time and energy to organizing hundreds we will continue our work to save the garden in the court of law, and Secretary Executive Director of free programs, tending to greenery, maintaining the space, and keeping the beyond that if need be. Barry Ranganathan garden open to the public year-round – over 46 hrs/week during the summer Treasurer and 28hrs/week during the winter – all while working with local elected officials, Time and time again, I’m reminded that we are not just protecting a businesses, and organizations to protect and preserve Elizabeth Street Garden for garden, we’re protecting a treasured piece of true green space and Volunteer Staff the community. nature, the essence of our community, a place to congregate and learn, and an outdoor museum of art and culture. The garden has Ella Barnes We are forever grateful to all of our many supporters, neighbors, and volunteers grown to be a truly iconic landmark. If we save this Creative Director who help make the garden such a special place for everyone. With your support, space under such heavy circumstances, imagine how much the garden we will continue to do everything we can to protect and preserve Elizabeth Street and our organization could grow unburdened. Garden.

2 ESG 2019 Annual Report | ElizabethStreetGarden.com ElizabethStreetGarden.com | ESG 2019 Annual Report 3 ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN OCCUPIES LOT 30 OR THE FORMER TOP HALF OF LOT 41 IT IS ESG’S GOAL TO CONTINUE WRITING THIS UNIQUE HISTORY SO THAT FUTURE BETWEEN ELIZABETH AND MOTT IN LITTLE ITALY. THIS LAND HAS SEEN NEARLY 200 YEARS TIMELINE OF COMMUNITY FOSTERING, INNOVATIVE EDUCATION, AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACE USE. GENERATIONS MAY ENJOY AND CONTRIBUE TO THIS VITAL COMMUNITY HUB.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING SCHOOL BUILT BUILT ON LOWER LOT PS 21 EXPANDS IN LITTLE ITALY In 1981, LIRA housing GARDEN REVITALIZED In 1822, the Free School TO SPRING STREET association builds affordable BY COMMUNITY Society builds Public school In 1927, the architect housing on lower lot 41. The PUBLIC ACCESS VIA In 2013, a group of community No. 5 (PS 5) that offers free expands PS 21 down to City grants LIRA access to GALLERY NEXT DOOR members works with Allan night school for people of Spring St, adding more the rest of lot 41 under the Upon acquiring the Reiver to revitalize the space color, public lectures, and public outdoor space condition that it be converted adjacent building in and open the front gates to community space in addition & a larger community to a public recreation area. 2005, Allan Reiver the public, introducing public to schooling for children auditorium, while further This never happens and the provides public access to programming and developing of all races and economic increasing enrollment future garden lot sits empty and the garden through the a significant base of support backgrounds. capacity. neglected for the next 10 years. Elizabeth Street Gallery. for saving the Garden. 1822 1927 1981 2005 2013

1904 1970 ’S 1991 2012 2014 SCHOOL REBUILT BY 1980 Aerial - Garden in Green LOT 41 LEVELED THE GARDEN IS BORN CHIN SLATES GARDEN COMMUNITY FORMS MASTER ARCHITECT & LEFT VACANT In 1991, the City enters FOR DESTRUCTION NON-PROFIT In 1904, Master School PS 21 is closed and the into a month-to-month In 2012, City Councilmember In August of 2014, Architect C. B. J. Snyder entire building is torn lease of the vacant lot Margaret Chin quietly the community builds new PS 21 with down in the late 70’s, with Allan Reiver who slates the Garden Lot to be members involved more school seats, outdoor leaving lot 41 leveled plants trees, a lawn and developed with help from the with the garden form classrooms / recreation / and vacant. other plants, showcasing Bloomberg administration Friends of Elizabeth public space, & a public sculptures and thus in a backroom deal without Street Garden, inc. auditorium. transforming the lot into properly informing the (FESG). Elizabeth Street Garden. public.

HPD ISSUES RFP TO HPD SELECTS DEVELOPERS ULURP ENDS & CITY DEVELOP GARDEN In December 2017, HPD awards the Request For APPROVES DEVELOPMENT In September 2016, HPD Proposal (RFP) to Penrose Properties in partnership In June 2019, the ULRP process concludes. Community Board issues an official Request for with Habitat NYC and RiseBoro and releases 2 passes an advisory resolution in favor of saving the garden. Proposals (RFP) to redevelop plans for a mixed use building comprised of 123 Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, City Planning the garden lot, ignoring 3 units of non-permanent affordable housing for Commission, and City Council (with a unanimous vote of 45 years of the community-lead seniors, luxury commercial retail, and office space - 0, led by Margaret Chin and Speaker Corey Johnson) pass effort to save the space. for Habitat NYC. resolutions to destroy the garden for the proposed development. 2016 DEC2017 JUNE2019 APRIL2017 NOV2018 MAR2019 PRESENT ESG FOUNDED TO ULURP PROCESS BEGINS ESG FILES LAWSUIT THE GARDEN TODAY PURSUE LEGAL ACTION In November 2018, The On March 5, 2019, ESG files a As the lawsuit moves through the State Supreme In April 2017 members of FESG Uniform Land Use Review lawsuit against the City of New York Court system, ESG continues to manage the garden and the original garden community Process (ULURP) begins as and the Department of Housing while providing events for the community and raising branch off to form Elizabeth Street the project is reviewed by and Preservation and Development funds for the legal case. ESG remains dedicated to Garden, Inc (ESG). ESG assumes Community Board 2, the (HPD) with attorney Norman Siegel. protecting and preserving Elizabeth Street Garden sole management and maintenance Manhattan Borough President, Additional papers are filed in by any means necessary. of the garden, keeping it open year the City Planning Commission, November 2019. round and providing free public and City Council. programming and outdoor edu. for more info on our legal case, visit elizabethstreetgarden.com/legal

4 ESG 2019 Annual Report | ElizabethStreetGarden.com ElizabethStreetGarden.com | ESG 2019 Annual Report 5 THE OPEN SPACE ISSUE DEVELOPER MARKETING VS THE FACTS

OPEN SPACE IS VITAL TO A HEALTHY AND HAPPY COMMUNITY. • The development would destroy 100% of Elizabeth St Garden, eliminating a community garden that draws +100k annual visitors and provides free public programming, access HOW CAN THE CITY JUSTIFY DESTROYING A GARDEN IN to diverse green space, ample sunlight, cultural interactions, and a center for community. The development is a compromise AN AREA ALREADY SO OVER-CROWDED AND DEVOID OF solution that provides affordable • The building would occupy 70% of the lot, featuring 123 300--375 sq ft studio units. GREENSPACE? HERE ARE THE FACTS. housing and green space. • The housing would NOT be permanently affordable. • The development’s inclusion of open space complies with Special Little Italy District Zoning - not a compromising preservation of green space. 2.50 ACRES / 1K RESIDENTS COMMUNITY GOAL

• Community Board 2 has identified an alternative site at 388 Hudson that can provide up The garden site is the only location for to 5x as much housing and possible new public open space. This alternative site is an 0.60 ACRES / 1K RESIDENTS COMMUNITY BOARD 2 the development. empty, city-owned gravel lot.

0.07 ACRES / 1K RESIDENTS LITTLE ITALY & SOHO The development will have • 11,200 sq ft would be Habitat NYC office space. Habitat NYC is a developer partner in Acres of parkland per 1000 residents a 15,600 sq ft community facility & this project, with 25% ownership. retail space. • There would be 4,400 sq of luxury retail on the ground floor. • Little Italy & SoHo make up 23% of CB 2’s population, yet have only 3% of the district’s open • The proposed open space would be privately owned and managed. space. Aside from the Garden, all open spaces in The development provides 8,400 sq • The 6,700 sq ft of open space would be cast in shadow by the new development. Little Italy & SoHo are paved. ft of public space. • The remaining 1,700 sq ft would be a paved tunnel lined with luxury retail. • Little Italy & SoHo combined have an open space ratio of 0.07 acres per 1,000 residents (3 sq ft per resident), leaving the district with one of the lowest This development ignores... ratios of public open space to inhabitants in the city. • Nearly 7 years of immense community effort and support to save ESG in its entirety. This development reflects the wants and needs of the community. • +5,500 letters to the mayor, +12,000 petition signatures, +100k annual visitors, • Green space, once developed, can never be thousands of local & city-wide volunteers, & +250 partnerships with public schools, local reclaimed. The City will never tear down buildings to businesses. create parks or community gardens... • Extensive support from elected officials, community & parks / garden organizations.

ALTERNATIVE SITE 388 HUDSON DESTROYED VS NOT DESTROYED IN NUMBERS

A Better Site for Development Garden Destroyed Garden Saved + 388 Hudson Developed

• City-owned, gravel-filled lot developed instead of a • 4,400 sq ft luxury retail • +20,000 sq ft Elizabeth heavily used community garden Street Garden • 6,700 sq ft privately owned open space • 300,000 sq ft housing at alt • Can provide up to 5x as much affordable housing site and possible additional public open space • 11,200 sq ft Habitat NYC office space • Up to 4,000 sq ft of possible new passive open space • Designated by Community Board 2 to be used for • 77,600 sq ft housing - 123 using existing DEP easement housing “only if” ESG is saved entirely Units at 388 Hudson

• Not available for housing if ESG is destroyed

• Close to other senior affordable housing & Tony Dapolito Recreational Center with many programs for seniors

6 ESG 2019 Annual Report | ElizabethStreetGarden.com ElizabethStreetGarden.com | ESG 2019 Annual Report 7 see all available programs online at PROGRAMMING elizabethstreetgarden.com/calendar 50 92 214 +750 +2,300 ESG reflects the vibrant and innovative energy of NYC through our year round free public programming. In addition to Featured Biz + org Events PS Student Harvest Fest planning popular annual events like the Harvest Fest and Summer Movie Nights, ESG accepts programming proposals musicians sponsors offered visitors Attendees for community activation of shared public green space. Our full programming schedule underlines the garden’s role in + artists creating space for the well-being and interconnectivity of our community.

GARDEN EDUCATION ARTS & CULTURE Each season the garden serves as an outdoor classroom for both children and adults to learn about urban wildlife, habitat Amidst the balance of nature and statuary, the garden is a place restoration, eco-gardening and sustainable stewardship. In of inspiration for artists, poets, musicians, performers and thinkers 2019, ESG partnered with iDig2Learn and our Creative Director of all kinds. ESG celebrated these artistic presences with movie Ella Barnes to teach over 750 local Public school students about screenings, live music and poetry readings, and our ongoing garden enrichment and cyanotype art using nature’s elements. Call to Artists, showcasing work of all mediums inspired by the Sunprinting with Nature Cyanotype Workshop | Community garden. Gardening | Our Roots with the Teen Resource Center | In 2019, ESG hosted the Leo Kuelbs Collection to present a Kid’s Story Time | Earth Day Celebration | iDig2Learn series of work from the DIGITAL FAIRY TALES collection of video Seeds and Birdwatching Workshops art inspired by an array of fairy tales and works from Germany, China, and the USA. COMMUNITY ESG Call to Artists Feature Program | Inspired Word NYC’s As a center for our community, ESG’s events provide Garden Variety: Music and Poetry | Live Music Sundays | neighbors and tourists from all different backgrounds Garden Movie Night Wednesdays | Tarot Card Readings | WELLNESS countless opportunities to come together and foster a sense The Leo Kuelbs Collection: Digital Fairy Tales of community. At our 7th Annual Harvest Festival, over 2,300 As a healing oasis where visitors can breathe fresh air and people enjoyed free games, activities, and free food and rejuvenate, the Garden is a refuge from the surrounding refreshments donated by over 30 local businesses. urban environment. Along with weekly Yoga, Ta Chi, and We hosted our largest Winter Solstice Celebration yet, breathing meditation classes, ESG has partnered with NYPD lighting the garden and ringing in the new year with Make 5th precinct for special community wellness events and the Music New York. Chinatown YMCA for outdoor senior picnics. Senior Day with Chinatown YMCA | Easter Egg Hunt Party | Mother’s Day Celebration | Father’s Day with McNally Vinyasa Yoga | Tai Chi Class | Mindfullness Meditation Jackson Bookstore | ESG Legal Defense Fundraiser | 7th | Warm from Within Breathing Class | Senior Picnics | Annual Harvest Festival | Winter Solstice Celebration | Qi Gong | Kundalini Yoga | Zen(in) Run Your Precinct LUNGS Spring Awakening | 8th Annual LUNGS Festival with NYPD 5th Precinct

8 ESG 2019 Annual Report | ElizabethStreetGarden.com ElizabethStreetGarden.com | ESG 2019 Annual Report 9 COMMUNITY SUPPORT + INVOLVEMENT

Over the past +6 years, support to save Elizabeth Street Garden has grown to a city-wide level. Hundreds of people +420 +10,000 +10,5 0 0 +12,000 +100,000 enjoy the garden every day and with each new visitor who learns that such a magical place is at risk of being Garden Online Email Petition Garden destroyed, ESG gains a new supporter. Our ever-expanding body of supporters includes the following elected volunteers Followers Subscribers signatures Visitors officials, individuals, community & parks organizations and local businesses.

Pomodorro Alexandra Sheehan Hannes Bend Patrick Johnson William Raudenbush Jomari Perez Earth Justice Prince Street Pizza Alexia Fisher Heather Goldin Paul Antoine Xin Lin Justin Dean Thomas Farms Not Arms Refine Ali Ghulam Holly Marshall Paz Perlman Yuan Wang Justine Arinda Johnson Former NYC Parks Rubirosa Ristorante Alicia Michelle Imogen Whist Penelope Thornton Zachary Cummo Kate Goerlich Commissioner Adrian Benepe Peters Lynch Zaire Williams Soulcycle Alina Pashà Isa Verkes Keren Sound Friends of The Brooklyn Kitchen Alyssa Wall Isabella Fernandez Poppy King Zanna Vorstenbosch Pr Byrne Kevin Anglade Green Below 14 The Butchers daughter Amanda Diamond Isabella Rao Kristina Nazarevskaia Green Guerrillas The Musket Room Amaya Lopez-Silvero Isabelle C Rachael Scott FEATURED ARTISTS + Leah Vanessa Grow NYC The Nolitan Hotel Amy Angelo Jackie Frank Raymond Figueroa Reyes MUSICIANS Loisa Fenichell Loisaida United Neighborhood Uptown Pilates Amy Kaplin Jacqueline Pompei Rebecca Hyatt Alexandra Sheehan Renée Green Lydia Mamalis Gardens Wendy Nichol Ana Portela Jan Lucanus Ayanna Williams Rob Ellenberg Mariela Flor Olivo Lower East Side Ecology Center West-Bourne Ann Pingry Jazmine Robins Beau Robert Appleton Mark Hepworth Nelson Mandela Community PARTNERS + IN-KIND Wine Therapy Anna London Jessica Jones Bee Loo Yours Truly Cafe Anna Smith Jimmy Helvin Robert Neville Matthew Rowe Garden CONTRIBUTORS Rose Hopkins Carly Ozard Oliva Annina Zheng-Hardy Johanna Heimberger Maya Ber Lerner New York City Community Rosemarie Mientka Christine Sloan Stoddard LOCAL BUSINESSES Anthony Cacace Joseph Habib Octopus Kid Garden Coalition Sandy Reiburn Cortney Van Jahnke 305 Fitness Antonio Biagi Judy Chin Oona Chaplin The New York Chapter April Valencia Julia Kimmel Sara Dorzback David Lindsey Active Spaces Paco Naveira Peace Accelerators Barrett Doherty Justin Dean Thomas Sarah Drory Dina Gregory Ben & Jerry’s Quincy Valentine Pleasant Village Communiity Barry Ranganathan Katherine Campagna Sarah Levitch Ella Barnes Black Seed Scott Cesta Rossitza Skortcheva Donesky Garden Blenheim Beth Hermelin Katie Mcdonnell Elliott Levy Shiyun Chen Roy Angelo Ruiz The Trust For Public Land & Vine Beth Papaleo Katie Whitmire Emma Rose Jenny Simon Roberts Shareef Keyes Café Belle Brooke Drabkin Katy Nelson Eva Alt Calli Haramaras Kim Kalesti Skyler Lapuc Shona Neary ELECTED OFFICIALS Cafe Gitane Sonali Nigam Frank Malloy Iv Callie Monroe Kirsten Theodos Todd Colby Representative Nydia M. Café Habana Stacey Anderson Gillian Doupe Cafe Pallermo Camille Newton Kurtis Fitzgerald Pemberton Zohara Nguyen Velázquez LOCAL SCHOOLS Stephanie Tricola Glynnis Eldridge Cafe Roma Carla Ashton Carroll Lara Day Representative Jerrold Nadler City As School Carlota Rubio Lauryn Kent Stephen Hopkins Grant Stinnett Cafétal Social Club GARDEN SUPPORTERS City Comptroller Scott Stringer New York University Carol L Pierce Leila Edrington Stevi Sesin Halimah Schmidt Caffè Palermo State Senator Brad Hoylman Public School 1 Carol Pierce Li Murillo Susan Welshman Hannah Buonaguro PARK / GARDEN Caffe Roma Tara Gallagher ORGANIZATIONS State Senator Brian Kavanagh Chinatown YMCA Public School 110 Carol Pierce Lilia Fung Heather Goldin Tarring Qian Assemblymember Deborah Glick Come To Life Public School 130 Caroline Mihok Lindsee Silvetstein Jake & Abe 596 Acres S. Francis College Student Gov. Charles Birnbaum Lisa Keenan Taylor Hines 6BC Community Garden Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou Economy Candy Taylor Lawson Jeff Jacobs Association Chloe Diver Lisa Santandrea American Society of Landscape Attorney General Letitia James Emporio Teresa Bigelow Jess Grippo The New School Chloe Saintilan Liv Behre District Leader Vittoria Fariello Epistrophy Tess Sullivan Jess Voss Architects, Estela Chloés Corner Liz York The Cultural Landscape District Leader Keen Berger Christina Delfico Lori Ferme Tom Boster John Campos Everlane NON-PROFIT + COMMUNITY Foundation District Leader Paul Newelle Christine Johnson Lucia Pohlman Victoria Zhambaltarova John Lander Extinction Rebellion NYC ORGANIZATIONS Vivian Papaleo Earth Celebrations Femme de Poppy Agritecture Claire Zhang Luna Tricola Ferrara Charles B Wang Community Health Clare Reidy Mackenzie Kear Fiat Cafe Center Claudia Lamberty Madison Norris Gimmie Coffee Common Ground Compost Costas Dimas Magali Regis THANK YOU to all of our local partners from 2019. Together we were able to expand our community more than ever before. Gran Tivoli Earth Celebrations Courtney Van Jahnke Margaret Halsey Gardiner These shared experiences give us a concentrated dose of the magic of the garden and its ability to bring people together in Guayaki EXCEL program University Dale Robertson Marie Patterson education, revitalization, and celebration. Heyday Settlement Dan Tainow Marti Richenstein Horti Farms Not Arms Dana Lee Marvin Mendlinger Hush City Patagonia Danielle Distefano Mathew Simons OUR 2019 PARTNERS Jacks Wife Frida Gotham Greens iDig2Learn Peace Accelerators Danniella Day Matthew Arrow Active Spaces Jing Fong Restaurant Grow To Learn NYC Inspired Word NYC St. Francis College Student Gov. Association Julia Hill iDig2Learn Danya Hajjaji Maya Gerig Bowery Alliance of Neighbors LUNGS Teen Resource Center (TRC) Kate Spade Inspired Word NYC David Mulkins Mckenna Poe Charles B Wang Community Health Center La Colombe Coffee Roasters Lower East Side Ecology Center Debi Kops Melora Armstead Chinatown YMCA Make Music NY The Cultural Landscape Foundation Denise Pines Meshakai Wolf La Maison LUNGS Loisaida United Earth Celebrations McNally Jackson Bookstore The Endless Co. Little Cupcake Bakeshop Neighborhood Gardens Dom Chang Michael Bergman Mulberry St Public Library The New School Duncan Ransom Michael Fox EXCEL program University Settlement Lombardis Pizza Model Activists NYC Community Garden Coalition Dylan Goodrich Michael Geffner Ganni Lovechild NYCCGC NYPD 5TH Precinct Lovely Day NYPD 5th precinct Edwin Morris Michele Campo Guayaki McNally Jackson Bookstore NYPL Mulberry St Library Elise Fife Monika Hankova Elizabeth De Paz Nick Low Monica Vinader Peace Accelerators COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS Noodlelove Permaculture Action Network Elizabeth Smelov Nikita Sachdeva In March 2019, we partnered with McNally Jackson Bookstore and The New School to put on a panel NY Pizza Public Space Party Ella Barnes Nina Taylor discussion exploring the many city-wide issues reflected in the effort to save ESG for our community. NYPL Teen Resource Center (TRC) Ella Steakley Nisida Spera Oroboro Elliot Levy Noel Moore SPEAKERS EVENT, PROGRAM + Emma Wolkenstein Nora Cohen Parisi Bakery Tom Angotti, editor of Zoned Out: Race, Displacement, and City Planning in New York Parm MANAGEMENT CONTRIBUTORS Erin Mcmonagle Nora Kipnis Patchbae Adina Schwartz Federica Pantana Nord Wennerstrom Raymond Figueroa, President of the NYC Community Garden Coalition Peasant Alec Signorino Fiona Torres Nova Tricola Charles Birnbaum, President & CEO of The Cultural Landscape Foundation Alex Brown Gail Goldspiel Olivia Hurley Peppi’s Cellar Alicia Boyd, founder of MTOPP (The Movement To Protect The People) and FLAC (Flower Lovers against Corruption) Pera Soho Alex Levin George Oh Paris Venture 10Polka ESGDog 2019Bakery Annual Report | ElizabethStreetGarden.comAlexa Moraif Gianna Foltz Patricia Squillari ElizabethStreetGarden.com | ESG 2019 Annual Report 11 WE ASKED WHAT THE GARDEN MEANS TO YOU.

watch the full video online at elizabethstreetgarden.com/videos I love this place first because it’s beautiful. I see flowers. I see people I want to talk to.

I love that this garden has prevailed. And I hope it 12does ESGand it 2019could if Annualeverybody Report participates | ElizabethStreetGarden.com to save. ElizabethStreetGarden.com | ESG 2019 Annual Report 13 find out more about our plans at HOW WE CAN SAVE THE GARDEN elizabethstreetgarden.com/future ENVISIONING A BRIGHT FUTURE ESG wants to save the Garden you all know and love! For this reason, we aim to protect & preserve the Garden in a way Saved in its entirety, Elizabeth Street Garden has the vast potential to grow as an environmentally & financially sustainable that allows the unique qualities, statuary, and architectural aspects to remain, while providing the public open green space energy efficient community garden with improved year-round public access. our community desperately needs.

As a Conservation Land Trust, ESG will require no City funding in order to maintain the Garden’s physical upkeep, hundreds of free public Below, you will find different models of how our community can save the Garden. To the left is ESG’s vision for a sustainable future as a programs, staffing, and future plans. ESG will establish the areas listed below. These future plans are only possible if the Garden’s current size Conservation Land Trust. Please note that before any of these options can be fully pursued, we must stop the City’s plans to destroy the Garden. and state is preserved.

SITE A ESG will use this area to build a new greenhouse conservatory for year-round gardening, harvesting & food security.

Conservation Land Trust (CLT) Mapped NYC Park Land (MPL) Green Thumb Garden (GT) SITE B This area will be cleaned to make room for a composting station and improved volunteer/work shed and storage.

ESG would be transferred to Parks SITE C The roof of the lean-to will be equipped with solar panels for energy sufficiency. The A CLT is a nonprofit corporation that Lot ownership would be transferred from department, but the land would not structure will be further outfitted so that it can be better utilized by the public through the winter. preserves and stewards open spaces DCAS to NYC Parks. A management be official MPL. Parks jurisdiction has SITE D Stairs to the existing balcony will be rebuilt. Tables and chairs will be added to increase on behalf of the community. An existing agreement with NYC Parks could be provided significant protection for accessibility and square-foot usage. HOW nonprofit, such as ESG, can act as the CLT. arranged for ESG to maintain operation. hundreds of gardens, but it doesn’t have As a CLT, ESG would own the land and The Garden would be saved in perpetuity. the extra protections of MPL.* Licensed continue to program and keep the garden There is no record of a community- garden status offers greater protection open to the public. founded garden becoming MPL. and if ever threatened, the community SITE A would be heavily involved in the process.*

ESG would manage hours – same as ESG would manage hours - same as now now (46hrs/wk) or more. A requirement (46hrs/wk) or more. With ESG no longer could also be negotiated by the City and The Garden would be open dawn to dusk, having to fight to save the Garden, we ACCESS/HOURS Community Board. With ESG no longer or otherwise designated by Parks. could focus our funds on keeping the having to fight to save the Garden, we Garden open longer. The requirement for could focus our funds on keeping the GT is 20hrs/wk. Garden open longer.

In accordance with NYC Park regulations, all statuary and architectural elements As a CLT, the unique qualities, statuary in the garden would be removed.* GT garden rules are looser than MPL and architectural aspects of the Garden Any monument on MPL would have to and could allow for most of the unique PHYSICAL SPACE would remain. Gardening plots would be accepted into the City’s collection qualities, statuary and architectural remain for public gardening/farming. and reinstalled, costing thousands.* aspects of the Garden to remain.* The planting of any tree, plant, flower, shrubbery or other vegetation requires SITE B SITE C & D written approval from Parks.

All NY Parks regulations would be As is or more. ESG would own the land observed. The Garden would be managed COMMUNITY and manage the space with neighbors, As is or more. ESG would still manage the by Parks or by ESG if a management INVOLVEMENT volunteers, and staff. ESG would continue space with neighbors, volunteers and staff. agreement can be made within Parks to expand upon community involvement. regulations.

ESG would fundraise and continue a The Garden would be funded by the New ESG would fundraise and continue a conservative garden rental program. No York City Parks Department, unless a conservative garden rental program. FINANCING city funding needed. NYC Parks budget management agreement with ESG stated GT gardens are eligible to receive city could be reserved for park equity needed otherwise. funding and supplies. elsewhere around the city.

* Statements obtained from a Senior NYC Parks Community Outreach & Development Representative. Renderings courtesy of Ella Barnes 14 ESG 2019 Annual Report | ElizabethStreetGarden.com ElizabethStreetGarden.com | ESG 2019 Annual Report 15 THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GENEROUS DONORS FROM 2019! IT IS YOUR CHARITY THAT FUELS OUR EFFORTS AND WE ARE EXTRAORDINARILY FINANCIAL REPORT FY 2019 GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE MANY DID YOU KNOW Elizabeth Street Garden is an official DONORS WHO CONTRIBUTED THROUGH OUR CASH DONATION BOX IN THE NYC Monarch Butterfly Waystation GARDEN. EVERY CENT COUNTS!

FOUNDATIONS Benjamin Schuman Daniela Bologna Gail Le Boff Jody Crooks Lindsay Lush Monisha Weerasundara Sarath Kareti Lily Auchincloss Beth Hermelin Danielle Distefano Gary Chase John Brozena Lindsee Silverstein Ms Accou Sasha Bechtler-Levin All donations made to ESG go directly towards our legal efforts to protect and preserve Elizabeth Street Foundation Bethany Chaffin Danny Cole Geoff Arno John Garboski Lindsey Morrow Ms Gong Sebastien Vergne Patagonia Bethene Trexel Danny Driscoll George Ribaroff John Jannuzzi Ling Zhang Naima Freitas Serena Dayal Garden, research, PR, Garden maintenance and opperations, and free public programming offered in Billie Kirby Dante Acuna Gisela Niederste-Ostholt John Mathews Lisa Crystal Nana Meriwether Seth Gravelyn INDIVIDUALS Blaire Edwards Darcy Spitz Gordon Chin John Peachy Lisa Cuesta Nathan Bush Shakib Omari the Garden for all. Abi Pilloni Blake Morell David Arsenault Grant Garson John Salemi Lisa Raffaelli Nicholas Zaicos Shalni Khurana Abigail Burman Bonan Yuan David Danesh Green Guerillas Jon Biegenzahn Lisa Sapozhnikov Nicole Bullock Sharon Nieber Adam Poinsett-Hall Boyan Kelchev David Lopez Greer Donnalley Jonah Belser Liz Gulden Nicole Fernandez Shehab Hamad Earnings Report FY 2019 Addi Gefen Brad Tuyay Dawn Ciarlotta Greg Minasian Jonathan Kenyon Lois Lee Nikeyu Callaway Shwetha Raman Bhatia Adina Schwartz Brenna Horrocks Deborah Bicknell Gregory Liccardi Jonathan Tucker Lora Tenenbaum Nikita Sachdeva Siri Kodu Adrian Benepe Bret Bardeli Denise Heins Gretchen Vergara Jordan Beckett Lorand Laskai Noam Roth- Siyang Fu Garden Rentals* $145,800.00 Adrian Renne Brian Becker Devin Tracy Guy Schory Jordan Kovin Lori Ferme berg-Velazquez Spencer Adams Akruti Gupta Brianna Dadamo Diana Foster Haines Wilkerson Joseph Reiver Lorien Sobati Nora Henick Stefanie Whitney Unrestricted Donations $46,727.96 Alanna Olken Brianna Kusilek Diane Sakakini-Rao Haley Rubin Julia Campanella Luc Maynard Nora Prentice Steph Teitelbaum Alberto Botter Bridget Lai Diego Olalde Halimah Schmidt Julia Kimmel Lucy Blankstein Olivia Dudek Stephanie Pan Grants $39,675.00 Aldara Ortega Brooke Lucas Dittmann Thomas Hallie Nudelman Julian Verdeguer Lucy Blenner Paige Hanoka Stephanie Thomas THANKAldie Levine Caitlyn Macallister Donna Robin Lippman Hannah King Julie Napolin Luis Bazoberry Pericon Pamela E. Morgan Steve Kaufman Alec Magdaleno Caitlyn Walsh Dora Kerekes Hannah Mcgovern GrossJulie Smith Lynette Nylander Paris Shemwell Steven Frillmann Donated Goods $39,342.25 Alex Colucci Callie Monroe Douglas Dunn Hannah Spinelli Juliet Newman Lynn Pacifico Parntawan Wutthayakorn Stevi Sesin Alex Hing Camille Mason Douglas Teich Hannah Wyman June Deng Maddy Olson Pat Flynn Stuart Van Beek Garden Cash Box $23,426.00 Alex Jacobs Camille Newton Duncan Ransom Hannah Zabarsky Justin Yi Madeline Poole Paul Losordo Susan Welshman Alex Jaroscak Cara Gorey Dylan Seals Heather Shields Kacey Mccaffrey Madison Mad Pauline Bethel Suzannah Schneider Total Raised $294,971.21 Alex Jordan Carly Sotas E Richards Helen Jennett Kaleigh Bergmann Madison Norris Perrin Hill Sydney Mitchin Alex Puskas Carlyle Howard Eden Benton Henny Huerta Kari Tetzlaff Maeve Mchugh Persephanie Westervelt Tal Chalozin Alex Scoffell Carmen Ruiz De Eden Knight Hilary Hudgins Kasia Bancewicz Maggie Zhang Peter Davies Tali Benjamin Alexa Dumit Huidobro Elana Kathein Hilary Sosa Kate Davey Mallika Simone Phil Toronto Tali Zilberman Alexa Liley Caroline Berti Eleanor Grams Hillary Lui Kate Newman Mamadou Diaw Philip Clem Talisman Brolin Expense Report FY 2019 Alexander Elder Caroline Donahue Elissa Li Holly Proctor Katelyn Bogacki Marco Lockmann Philip Simmons Tamara Choksey Alexandra Lebow Caroline Shaum Elizabeth Calia Ingrid Wang Katelyn Evans Marcus Guimaraes Pony Wave Tarring Qian Legal Fees $192,560.10 Alexandra Valcourt Carolyn Blair Elizabeth Castano Iris Lin Katherine Birmingham Margo Budline Poppy King Taylor Jewell Ali Forghani Carrie Wagler Elizabeth Dworkin Isabel Sheinman Katherine Wright Margo Margolis Prudence Carlson Tegan Steenburgh Administrative Fees $23,560.05 Alisen Urquhart Catherine Ugarte Elizabeth Mccue Isabella Rao Kathleen Kobayashi Maria Grazia Bersani Puran Zhang Tess Congo Alison Joseph Chantra Montoya-Pimol- Elizabeth Y Isabella Romano Kathlene Ennis Maria Hatzioanidis Quan Nguyen Thomas Dittmann Staff Wages $13,300.00 Alissa Babaeva watana Ella Barnes Isabelle Kauffman Katie Burgoyne Marina Alves Rachael Kusiak Thomas Ryan Allan Zhang Chelsea Cutler Elyssa Ackerman YOUIsabelle Simone Katie Orr Marjorie Vai Rachael Mcclure Tom Steuber Alycia Low Cheney Wells Emily Brown Itamar Wigoder Katrin Sternberger Mark Blackwell Rachel Reding Tracy Esu Programming & Events $9,060.82 Amy Durning Chiara Jovanovic Emily Doyle Jack Mayer Katy Whitehurst Markie Tufaro Rachel Wanat Tyler House Ana Cristina Plansky Chris Brown Emily Kroll Jackie Wald Kaya Stuart Marla Sacks Radu Petre Iovita Tyrell Holland Garden Lot Utilities $8,890.28 Andre Gouvea Chris Hupfeldt Emily Paulson Jacob Breakstone Kayden Horwitz Marta Carreno Rati Levesque Urvashi Marwah Andrea Mazandi Christian Ianniello Emma Mannswirth Jacqueline Pompei Keely Markey Mary Ann Fastook Rayda Rivera Valentina Gomez Garden Maintenance $7,288.82 Andrea Southworth Christina Labonte Emma Yee Jacqueline Sibille Kenny Eng Mary Oconnor Renee Green Valerie Stepanova Andrea Swan Christina Rafanello Enat Ventura Jai-Lee Egna Kevin Clark Mary Turpin Richard Garzon Vera Graaf Andreea Pantor Christine Dailey Eni Bakallbashi Jake Fellner Kevin Lang Matt Hamilton Richard Pastena Victor Perez Garcia Andrew Auerbach Christopher Lynch Eric Durkin James Geary Kevin Winters Matt Rosenfeld Rob Petrozzo Victoria Hendrickson Andrew Karlin Chumeng Xu Eric Grannan James Hill Kirsten Miles Matt Wright Robert Barton Viktor Bunin Andy Frank Cindy Wong Eric Uhlfelder James Outlaw Koren Fowler Matteo Riondato Robert Pierpont Virginia Sheehan Angela Winthrop Clara Abreu Eric Vermeiren James Rectenwald Krista Galleberg Matthew Makar Roy Atwood Waleed Lakhani Anh Nguyen Claudio Mazzoni Erica Hawkins James Richardson Kristin Ryan Matthie Cheyrou Ruhee Patel Wayne Winslow interested in renting the Garden? Ann Mcdermott Clement Gardiner Erica Miller Jane Alpert Kwame Van Leeuwen Maud Simms Ruslan Shchetinin Whitney Meeks RENTALS elizabethstreetgarden.com/rentals Anna Hajdu Cliff Sharples Erika Cardona Jane Cavalier Lacey Galen Max Zimberg Rustam Caspian Wyatt Silverman Anouar Zouak Clio Boele Erin Feirstein Jane Krupp Lansing Moore Maya Barrera Ryan Lum Ximo Gallud Antonio Biagi Colleen Cahill Eryn Osullivan Janice Leibman Lara Bjork Melvin Tok Saadiah Schmidt Yan Ruan Elizabeth Street Garden hosts events, video/photo shoots, and weddings in order to raise Arthur Canedo Colleen Kestner Ethan Glenn Jared Carroll Lara Jane Wandzilak Meridith Viguet Saalik Simpo Yana Mihaylova enough funds required to protect & preserve the Garden. Ashley Lopezarbour Colleen Pelech Eugenio Carlucci Jason Rosenstock Laura Dambrosio Mia Campbell Sam Brown Ye Phone Ashley Wettlin Collin Dennis Eva Conway Jay Kornder Ii Laura Ornella Michael Borromeo Sam Fraser Yevgeniy Dizenko Austin Davis Conor O’leary Evangelos Milas Jean Chiffriller Laura Pazour Michael Hollenberg Sam Rappaport Yisi Rao 100% of the money raised from events goes into the nonprofit and directly towards Ava Sholl Cristin Mcalister Eve R. Fuhring Jennifer Diamond Lauren Bromage Michael Lamendola Samantha Montarbo Yuan Liao our efforts to save the Garden for the community; legal defense fund, PR, free public Avidan Ross Cristina Schlobohm Evelyn Machauf Jennifer Mason Lauren Corbett Michael Varet Samantha Shiffman Yulia Vasiltsova programming, and garden operations & maintenance. Barbara Futter Crystal B Ezra Mehlman Jennifer Wieboldt Lauren Fong Michele Campo Samia Khan Zach Connett Barbara Hausteen Cynthia Hutchison Fabrizio Angelini Jeremy Stone Lea Tedja Michelle Miao Sandy Machin Zachary Connett Barbara Restaino Cynthia Price Faika Farhana Jesse Weidenfeld Lee Herman Michelle Morillo Sara Driver Zachary Repko After the garden is saved, the rental program would allow ESG to continue expanding our Barry Udoff Dalit Nevo Fiona O’donnell-Mc- Jessica Allen Lee Schwartz Michelle Qiyan Li Sarah Barakso Martin Zehra Asghar public operations and maintenance of the space without relying on any city department Bazarkul Kordabayeva Damon Campagna carthy Jessica C Leighton Cusack Mihael Ruja Sarah Brown Zeke Jordan Iii budget whatsoever; making ESG completely self-sustainable. Becky Brunton Dana D Fivel Stewart Jessica Linick Leonie Haimson Milena Leznicki Sarah Campbell Zev Fagin Bella Saad Dani Kam Gabe Munoz Jessica Nolan Leonie Weerakoon Milo Harper-Siroto Sarah Gumenick Ben Duffield Daniel Chelemer Gabi Sheybani Jill Miller Lilia Fung Miranda Morris Sarah Kjelleren Ben Levin Daniel Kruglikov Gabriella Dalope Jill Roberts Lily Miesmer Misha Tamarkin Sarah Redman Benjamin Cunningham Daniel Uribe Gaby Wantidah Jim Clarkeson Lindsay Cleland Mona Simonian Sarah Tyler

16 ESG 2019 Annual Report | ElizabethStreetGarden.com ElizabethStreetGarden.com | ESG 2019 Annual Report 17 • GET INVOLVED• questions? comments? email us at Review (CEQR). It argues that the Negative HOW YOU CAN HELP [email protected] A CASE TO Declaration was improper, that the assessment of SAVE THE GARDEN the potential for significant adverse environmental impacts was inadequate and did not constitute A letter from ESG Attorney a “hard look” at zoning, open space, historic VOLUNTEER and cultural resources, neighborhood character, We always need volunteers to help keep the garden Norman Siegal public policy and cumulative impacts and that an open to the public. From an hour on the weekend to ten hours every week, take a break from the city and get Environmental Impact Statement was mandated. In 2019, the Elizabeth Street Garden, Inc. (ESG) your nature fix. along with other petitioners filed a lawsuit against ESG contends that the City’s plan must be done in Sign up online for an orientation with one of our volunteer the City of New York (and the Department of coordinators and join the team! accordance with applicable law. And, very simply, Housing Preservation and Development, the NY it did not do so here. Hopefully, we will succeed in City Council and the NYC Planning Commission.) this litigation and the garden will be preserved. elizabethstreetgarden.com/volunteer The case involves an attempt by the City of New York to destroy a unique cherished garden and elizabethstreetgarden.com/legal community gathering space in an area that is in urgent need of open green space. The lawsuit maintains that the City’s plan to destroy the DONATE to our legal defense fund! ESG has garden violates applicable zoning laws, fails to retained Norman Siegel of Siegel Teitelbaum and Evans LLP. Together, we have developed a legal strategy to stop comply with the Uniform Land Use Review Process the city from destroying the garden. (ULURP), the State Environmental Quality Review Donate online or mail a check made out to Elizabeth Act (SEQRA) and the City Environmental Quality Street Garden, Inc. to 209 Elizabeth Street , New York, NY 10012.

Elizabeth Street Garden (ESG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions made to ESG for charitable purposes are tax-deductible to the extent of the law.

elizabethstreetgarden.com/donate

SPONSOR + PROGRAM LINK UP + SHARE If you’re a local business owner, consider sponsoring Visit the garden and experience the magic! Share your an event or program. Also, spread the word about our photos with us on social media by tagging us, pinning rentals - 100% of the money goes back into the nonprofit your location, and using our hashtags. and towards our efforts to save the Garden. #ElizabethStreetGarden #saveESG /elizabethstreetgarden Have an idea for a new program or event? We want to @elizabethstreetgarden hear it! Submit your idea online - open to all individuals @elizabethstgrdn and organizations. Be sure to join our mailing list to stay informed about our free public programs, special events and latest news.

elizabethstreetgarden.com/rentals elizabethstreetgarden.com/programs elizabethstreetgarden.com/sign-up 18 ESG 2019 Annual Report | ElizabethStreetGarden.com ElizabethStreetGarden.com | ESG 2019 Annual Report 19 @ELIZABETHSTGRDN @ELIZABETHSTREETGARDEN ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN @ELIZABETHSTREETGARDEN [email protected] ELIZABETH ST BTWN PRINCE & SPRING #ELIZABETHSTREETGARDEN #SAVEESG WWW.ELIZABETHSTREETGARDEN.COM LITTLE ITALY, NEW YORK, NY 10012

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