Our story

Established in 1989, the West 132nd St Community Garden, situated in the Central Harlem West 130th – 132nd Streets Historic District, is a New York City Green thumb garden, owned by the Department of Parks and Recreation, and independently managed by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. It was reclaimed by concerned neighbors from 4 litter-strewn lots, after 4 brownstones on the site were razed. The garden, designed as an oasis for quiet reflection and the peaceful enjoyment of nature, boasts perennial beds, shaded walkways, a goldfish pond, and expanse of lawn that stretches circuitously through the center and back portions of the garden, a dry stone wall, and a rotating collection of edible herbs, fruits, and vegetables.

Over the decades, the garden has hosted thrilling, multi-genre musical performances, annual art exhibits, horticultural workshops, corporate volunteer days, neighborhood cleanups, birthday/graduation/anniversary parties, baby showers, literary events, film and fashion shoots, holiday celebrations and more.

The garden serves as a work site for New York City,’s summer youth employment program and community service work. We also provide stipends to at-risk youth who help maintain the garden.

Seasonally, the garden air is perfumed with crabapple blossoms, lilacs, roses, lilies, astilbe, mock orange, hostas, privet and phlox.

A succession of blooms begins in early spring with forsythia , hellebores, crocuses, daffodils, tulips, vinca, ajuga and blue bells and variegated Solomon seal. Summer follows with roses, phlox, day lilies, oriental lilies, Asiatic lilies, water lilies, irises, poppies, astilbe, trumpet vines, bee balm, hollyhocks, echinacea, loosestrife, clematis, hydrangeas and crepe myrtles.