Nelson Mandela Garden is a vibrant, emerging community garden. For over 30 years this lot was empty attracting crime and debris. 4 years ago a group of dedicated members of the Harlem community sought to change that. After collecting hundreds of signatures and a score of letters of support from community leaders, it was unanimously endorsed by the NYC Community Board 10. Volunteers from the surrounding neighborhood, the United States and all over the world, began the year long task of de-paving it by hand . Three summers ago it blossomed into a pollinator garden filled with thousands of native North American flowers. We serve the community by creating a focal point where New Yorkers, young and old, work together to create a better city for everyone. We share the value of community commitment and service. We serve the environment by restoring the aquifer and curating a unique environment that supports bio-diversity. Now it has been targeted for development by the current administration. There are over 500 truly vacant lots in NYC and thousands of abandoned buildings. With luxury housing rising everywhere in the city we need to preserve what little open space is left. Please help us #savemandelagarden