Another example of this kind of thing is what happened to a fellow named Adam Purple. He spent many years creating a magnificent artistic oasis in the middle of Mannhatten's Lower East Side. Truly one of the most magnificent parks in the city at the time. I've linked his story and a photo of the gardens below. National Geographic did an article on him years ago if you have access to the back issues.

Photo of "The Garden of Eden"

Here is a link that might be useful: Adam Purples Last Stand

I would like to see how much "affordable housing" actually goes up. Sorry to see the results of yet another greedy system

It is now apparent that Giuliani and the police are implementing "quality of life" programs for gentrification and wealthy developers. The "quality of life" issues for the poor are not on the menue. In fact, they are just a nuisance population - in the way of "progress" toward "economic revival" for the tourist and convention trade.

It is disgusting. The "City Planners" have so little idea of the meaning of "quality of life" that they bull-doze right over it.

Get political!

The developer who is going to build the housing on the site of Esperanza is a big contributor to Guiliani's campaign as I understand. Also it will not be "affordable" housing, but market value -- you know what that means in NYC, where rents of $2,400 per month are the norm!

There are acres and acres of derelict housing buildings that could be torn down (or fixed up) to build much-needed housing in NY. The stupid thing is that community gardens *add* so much to the value of a neighborhood. It is the old slash and burn mentality. You should see the abominiation -- strip-mall style neon-lighted monstrosity (a P.C. Richards store) that went up on the site of a former community garden on Atlantic Avenue and Fourth in downtown Brooklyn. This is a stone's throw from the Brooklyn Academy of Music, which British music critic Andrew Porter called the most beautiful performance space in the entire world. (Enrico Caruso sang his last performance there).

(Mayor Giuliani also restored the patronage system to judicial appointments, dismantling one of Mayor Koch's most solid reforms. The harm that he has done to the city is incalculable and will probably be permanent.)

I'm so sorry for New Yorkers loosing their CG's. I've been reading a lot about this problem in New York. just finished reading Avant Gardener. The only thing I can say is. I'd like to extend To New Yorkers a welcome to come to Chicago the cow town. We have a new orginazation called Neighbor Space that secures garden sites permanenntly as gardens for ever. Also, no waiting lists. You could even start one up from scratch around here. I know this would be an impossibilty for many.
So, do the next best thing and get GIULIANI out! Make sure the whole country knows about this. Then, once that done. Lets Make The Comunity Garden National registry. Just like National Parks! For ever, are you on?

I wonder what God thinks about what we are all doing to His garden. The Hopi Indians believe that it was greed that destroyed the last 3 worlds, and greed that will destroy this one. Enough said.