PRESS RELEASE
Friday, March 27, 2026
Bronx, NY — Council Member Amanda Farías joined the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), Bronx Green-Up staff, and residents of Castle Hill Houses this morning for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the installation of a new gazebo at Karol’s Urban Community Farm, a 1.3-acre resident-led farm located within the NYCHA development in the South Bronx.
Funded through City Council investment secured by Council Member Farías, the gazebo establishes a permanent gathering space for workshops, composting education, volunteer coordination, and community farm stands. The addition strengthens the farm’s infrastructure and supports its continued growth as a hub for fresh food access, sustainability, and neighborhood connection.
“There are children in Castle Hill who are learning how tomatoes grow, how compost works, and what it means to take care of the land,” said Council Member Amanda Farías. “Karol’s Urban Community Farm proves that when residents are given tools and support, they can transform their own backyard into something extraordinary. I’m proud we were able to invest in a space that strengthens food access and fosters improved quality of life in our community at the same time.”
Karol’s Urban Community Farm, located at 2225 Lacombe Avenue between Castle Hill Avenue and Lacombe Avenue, is a volunteer-led NYCHA community garden dedicated to sustainably meeting the food needs of the Castle Hill community through urban agriculture. The farm is cared for by Castle Hill residents, local volunteers, and NYBG’s Bronx Green-Up staff.
Throughout the growing season, volunteers transplant seedlings, seed crops, water, weed, harvest produce, and weigh fresh fruits and vegetables grown on-site. The farm hosts community farm stands that provide locally grown produce directly to neighborhood families. The site also supports composting initiatives, allowing residents to reduce food waste while building nutrient-rich soil and strengthening environmental stewardship within the community.
Through its Bronx Green-Up program, NYBG provides horticultural expertise, technical assistance, and training to community gardens across the borough, supporting resident-led efforts to expand urban agriculture and environmental education.
“Our Bronx Green-Up team has been working alongside Bronx residents to help revitalize and preserve neighborhood green spaces for the past 38 years,” said Jennifer Bernstein, CEO and The William C. Steere Sr. President of the New York Botanical Garden. “Yet this is the first time in NYBG’s history that we’ve partnered with a city agency to operate a site outside of the Garden’s grounds, which marks a new milestone in our commitment to the Bronx community. We look forward to an ongoing partnership with NYCHA and the office of Councilmember Amanda Farias to offer the residents of Castle Hill Houses and surrounding neighborhoods quality services. Karol’s Urban Farm has the potential to become an educational site for health and nutrition, but more importantly, a community anchor that promotes well-being and positivity.”
Today’s ribbon cutting highlights the impact of direct investment in NYCHA communities — reinforcing resident leadership, expanding access to green space, and strengthening quality of life for families in Castle Hill.
CheʹVon Cooper, Horticulturist and Urban Agriculturist, NYBG Bronx Green-Up, said, “For as long as the sun rays hit this urban oasis, I hope we utilize its energy to not only grow food, but a spirit of resiliency and community to foster beautification of not only this space, but the hearts of all those who embrace it. Let this gazebo serve as a beacon of progress, reflecting a community committed to growth, well-being, and a brighter shared future.”
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