Liz Christy Garden

The Liz Christy Garden is a community garden between Bowery and Second Avenue in Manhattan containing mature trees, two ponds, and planted areas. These spaces hold vegetables, herbs, flowering plants, and wildlife including turtles that live in the ponds.

In 1973, Liz Christy and neighborhood residents converted an unused lot into New York City's first community garden. The city approved the project in 1974, establishing a model that inspired similar gardens across the city.

The garden functions as a meeting place where volunteers share knowledge about growing food and plants in the city throughout the growing season. Local residents regularly gather here to work together on vegetable beds, herb patches, and flower areas.

The garden opens on Saturdays year-round and on Sundays from May through October between noon and 4 PM. Visitors should expect the plants and layout to change with the seasons.

The garden holds one of the tallest Dawn Redwood trees in New York City, making it a rare example of this tree species in the urban landscape. This tall specimen regularly draws attention from botanists and nature enthusiasts.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1973

Founders: Liz Christy

Website: http://lizchristygarden.us

GPS coordinates: 40.72400,-73.99170

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:03