Rules and Regulations - Front Garden Keyholders

To Obtain a Key to the Front Garden

To obtain a key to our Front Garden you must live or work within our catchment area which is 34th Street to 59th Street and 8th Avenue to the Hudson River. Keys are given out in the garden on the first Tuesday and Saturday of each month from March through October. Hours of distribution are: Tuesdays - 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays - 11:00 a.m. - 12 Noon. You must bring a document for identification with your name and address on it (such as a telephone or Con Ed bill) and $5 for the cost of the key. Also all Front Garden Keyholders must sign an agreement to abide by the Front Garden Rules and Regulations.

(Updated 6/7/05)

WELCOME TO THE CLINTON COMMUNITY GARDEN! The garden was created in 1977 by Hell’s Kitchen residents who cleaned out the debris of a 28 year old vacant lot and transformed it into a beautiful garden oasis. The garden is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization managed and governed by an elected body of gardeners called the Steering Committee. The garden is under license from the New York City parks Department and is open from dawn until dusk all year.

The following rules and guidelines are listed to help us protect the garden and to enjoy it in a quiet, considerate manner. Everyone’s cooperation is expected in order to have access to the garden. Garden rules are strictly enforced by all gardeners and the Steering Committee. Failure to abide by any rule may result in the loss of garden access and privileges. All keyholders and plot gardeners have a responsibility to abide by these rules and to inform their guests of the rules.

To obtain a key to our Front Garden you must live or work within our catchment area which is 34^th Street to 59^th Street and 8^th Avenue to the Hudson River. Keys are given out in the garden on the first Tuesday and Saturday of each month from March through October. Hours of distribution are: Tuesdays - 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays - 11:00 a.m. - 12 Noon. You must bring a document for identification with your name and address on it (such as a telephone bill, Con Ed bill or work I.D.) and $5 for the cost of the key. Keys are not to be duplicated. Everyone must request their own key and sign an agreement to abide by the Front Garden Rules and Regulations.

There are 108 garden plots in the rear garden. These individual plots are made available to neighborhood residents (defined as those residing between 34^th and 59^th Streets and 8^th Avenue and the Hudson River) on a first come, first serve basis. To obtain a rear garden plot, send a postcard to Clinton Community Garden, P.O. Box 214, New York, NY 10108-0214 and state the name, address and phone number of applicant. Since there is a limited number of plots, all requests that can not be honored will be added to a Wait List which is posted in the Front Garden’s bulletin board and also available on the Web Site. The Wait List is continually monitored and plots are assigned from the Wait List as they become available during the year.

Per the bylaws garden membership is open to all persons who have been assigned a plot (excluding sublets), all past plot holders who are still active and express a wish to the Steering Committee to remain members, and Front Head Garden Volunteers. Each member is entitled to one vote at any general membership meeting. Each March the Annual Meeting is held and all members are encouraged to attend. Holding a Front Garden key does not confer membership.

Volunteers are always needed to help with daily and weekly maintenance and with special projects. The garden has no paid staff and all administrative and maintenance duties are performed by volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering please contact the Steering Committee or send an email via the Web Site.

At the Annual Meeting, Steering Committee members are elected by the general membership for two year terms. The Steering Committee has general power to manage and control the affairs and property of the Garden, including adopting and enforcing rules, purchasing goods and services, and revoking garden membership. All questions, complaints, compliments and suggestions should be directed to the Steering Committee either in writing (P.O. Box 214, New York, NY 10108-0214) or in person at the monthly Steering Committee meeting (held the first Tuesday of each month, 8:00 p.m., at Fountain House, 425 West 47^th Street, or as posted). The names and phone numbers of Steering Committee members are posted on the inside Front Garden Bulletin Board.

The Bulletin Board, located near the back fence of the Front Garden, is used to post announcements, upcoming events, and changes/deletions/additions to garden policy. It is the responsibility of each keyholder to monitor the Bulletin Board and follow updated policy. If you would like to post something in the Bulletin Board, contact the Steering Committee.

Gatherings of 10 or more people must complete a Special Events Application and have prior permission from the Steering Committee. A deposit might be required.

Clinton Community Garden, P.O. Box 214, New York, NY 10108-0214