The Neighborhood Gardens Trust (NGT), formerly known as the Neighborhood Gardens Association (NGA) unveiled their new name, logo, and future plans at the Summer Winter Garden near Drexel University.
Drew Becker, President of the Philadelphia Horticultural Society (right) unveils the new logo for the Neighborhood Gardens Trust.
An affiliate of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), NGT’s primary mission is to acquire and preserve community gardens and share open spaces to foster neighborhood community. As cities evolve, including Philadelphia’s rapid population growth, there is greater competition for space. NGT, in partnership with PHS wants to ensure there is a quality number of open green spaces for Philadelphia’s communities.
Margaret McCarvill, Board President of the Neighborhood Gardens Trust, poses at the Summer Winter Community Garden near Drexel University.
In the early 2000’s when the Neighborhood Gardens Trust was known as the Neighborhood Gardens Association, leaders realized they weren’t preserving enough gardens at the same pace as the city’s population was growing bigger.
Fairmount recently drafted a new strategic plan for NGT to provide a roadmap on how to acquire more land and preserve it for community use, as well as explore ways to collaborate with existing organizations. For example the recent land bank legislation will facilitate a more direct method to acquire and preserve vacant land, as the new law now recognizes community gardens as legitimate long-term land use.
Brian Abernathy, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority speaks at the Neighborhood Gardens Trust Media Day.
Neighborhood Gardens Trust will sponsor Community Gardens Day on Saturday, June 21.
Local gardeners can learn and explore the benefits of community gardens. One of the key points illustrated at the Neighborhood Gardens Trust’s Media Day was that community gardens represent more than just gardening and aesthetics – they’re central hubs that unite residents and strengthen communities. Fairmount is proud to help and humbled to have a hand in the success of the future direction of Neighborhood Gardens Trust.
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