City ramps up community gardens protections

Around 300 community gardens located on city-owned land will be preserved under new regulations from the Department of Parks Recreation, provided that they are registered and licensed with the city, according to a final version of the rules released yesterday. The provision represents a concession to gardeners by the city, according to the Wall Street Journal. The city had wanted to retain control over the spaces in case it ever needs them for different purposes, while gardeners have been lobbying to make their creations permanent. A draft of the new regulations was released last month, prompting ire from the gardeners, who subsequently made their displeasure known at a public hearing. The revised rules, which take effect in 30 days, specify that “new gardens may be created and will have the same protections as existing gardens” and that failing gardens will have nine months to get back on track. [WSJ]