Spotlight: Restoration Community Garden

While walking back home from my grandmother's apartment along Courtlandt Avenue, I had the pleasure of entering Restoration Garden located between East 154th and East 155th Streets.  Unlike the location of the other gardens in the neighborhood which are mostly on quiet side streets, Restoration Garden sits right in the middle of the craziness that can be Courtlandt Avenue.  Directly across from New York City Public Housing, aka "the projects" and more affectionately known as the PJs, the garden offers a refuge for those who choose to walk through its gates.  


According to local resident, Nelson (last name withheld), the garden has been there for over 25 years and had recently within the past 5 years received financial support from generous donors which they utilized to spruce up the place.  The names and families of the various donors are engraved in plaques or some of the red paving stones that make up the steps and patio area.


As with almost every single garden in the neighborhood, The Bronx and throughout the rest of the city, these gardens feature the "casitas" or little houses which are reminiscent of a not too distant past in Puerto Rico where mostly every home outside the cities were just small wooden shacks.  These community gardens and casitas are a little slice of home for so many residents and they come in to unwind, gossip, play a friendly game of dominoes, watch the game, etc.  Thanks to the casitas, rain or shine, people can still enjoy the gardens!


Each garden in the area has its own unique style, decor and feel to them so make sure you explore each and every one of them.  As time progresses, Welcome to Melrose will provide a map of all community gardens within the area as well as hours of operation for your convenience.  Next time you happen to be in the area if you are not a resident, come on in sit for a while...chat with the locals...they are very friendly and love to chat!

"We Honor The Fallen..."  I guess it's open to

interpretation who the fallen are but considering

how many have died in the community during its violent past

as well as those who succumbed to HIV/AIDS it is befitting of the community.

Community Gardens - Oases in Park Starved Melrose

With all the new real estate being developed in Melrose and over 1,400 apartments coming online within the next year or so with developments such as Boricua Village, Courtlandt Corners and St. Ann's Terrace, the area is yearning for more open spaces. As it stands, Melrose has no real park within its borders of its own...a space of green grass and trees, of flowers and benches, unless you count Flynn Playground on Third Avenue at East 157th Street which is nothing but concrete basket ball courts and handball courts. Melrose residents have to go to St. Mary's Park in Mott Haven or Franz Sigel and Joyce Kilmer Parks on the Concourse directly North and South of The Bronx County Courthouse - all outside of Melrose proper.

Thankfully, until this problem is remediated, Melrose has a plethora of community gardens where its residents can escape to for some peace and quiet. Many of these gardens usually have a casita, Spanish for small house, reminiscent of the old, small wooden homes that dotted the mountains and valleys of Puerto Rico. The gardens are a little slice of Puerto Rico here in the urban, concrete jungle of New York, echoing home for so many residents which hail from the island or have roots there.

One such garden is Rambo Garden located on East 159th Street between Melrose and Courtlandt Avenues. Earlier today as I was walking my dog...or she walking me, I had the pleasure of stopping in this garden and check it out for myself. Below are some pictures of the garden. Feel free to drop by anytime and relax whether you live in the area or work in the area...great place to walk to and have your lunch and go back to work.

Thinking outside the commode.

Totem pole of sorts.

Local resident Lillian, enjoying the many toys the garden offers children, free of charge, to play in.

Inside the casita...table's ready for a game of dominoes.

Ceiling and chandelier inside the casita.

Another tricycle available for the children.

Um...Toto, I don't think we're in The Bronx anymore.

Nope! We're definitely not in The Bronx! A scene like this could be anywhere...but yes, it's here in Melrose right in the South Bronx.

A WORKING outdoor shower!

Old trellis and wheelbarrow.

Got wish? Throw in a penny and make your wish!