Harlem shouldn't be forced to choose between its home-grown community gardens and affordable housing. Please sign this petition to ask New York City Housing Preservation and Development and Mayor Bill de Blasio to select alternative sites for affordable housing to save our community gardens and Harlem Grown's greenhouse. 

Harlem Grown and its Executive Director Tony Hillery were just profiled in DNA Info for the amazing work they provide for the Harlem community: its selection by the city threatens a hydroponic greenhouse that produces over 2,000 pounds of food for the local community and local restaurants. 

Community gardens selected in Harlem include the Jackie Robinson Community Garden on Park Avenue and Pleasant Village Community Garden's lots on East 118th Street. The Jackie Robinson garden was founded over 20 years ago by Betty Gaether, a local resident, who turned a desolate strip into a local jewel. It had been selected for tree pruning assistance through the Gardens of the City program several years ago.

These long-standing community groups benefit our neighborhoods and make our communities a better place: by educating our community about healthy foods and urban gardening, providing job and volunteer opportunities, and being on the front lines of food and environmental justice advocacy. 

It is clear that our communities are welcome recipients of affordable housing and we recognize the necessity. But with many vacant lots available, we petition HPD and the Mayor to reconsider other sites for the affordable housing plan so these long-standing community groups can continue to benefit our community for years to come.