FACT SHEET REGARDING THE TRANSFER OF DEEDS OF THE 37 COMMUNITY GARDENS FROM TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND (TPL) TO THE BROOKLYN QUEENS LAND TRUST (BQLT)

In 1999 The Trust for Public Land (TPL) purchased 64 community gardens from NYC for $3 million as part of an agreement to save the gardens from the auction block.

Why are the deeds being transferred to BQLT?

The Trust for Public Land always believed that there should be an organization of gardeners in charge of community gardens. TPL helped incorporate BQLT and provided start up funds. BQLT in turn had to prove that it could run its own affairs and become financially self-sustaining. TPL is confident that BQLT is now ready to receive the deeds.

What is BQLT about?

BQLT is a gardener led organization. BQLT is a tax exempt not-for-profit corporation founded in 2004. When gardeners met to form BQLT, they decided on a Mission Statement that would guide the organization for the future. It says that BQLT should work to establish a community of gardeners in Brooklyn and Queens; to educate and inspire people of all ages to become successful and environmentally responsible gardeners; support community involvement in the gardens, neighborhood beautification and open space enhancement through activities and programs; preserve, support, manage and enhance community gardens; and act as a steward of the open space properties that it owns.

Why was BQLT created?

BQLT, along with the Manhattan Land Trust (MLT) and the Bronx Land Trust (BLT) was created by the TPL to own and manage the local community gardens TPL owns in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens.

Where are the BQLT gardens located?

BQLT community gardens are located in such diverse locations as Bedford Stuyvesant, Boerum Hill, Bushwick, Clinton Hills, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, East New York, Fort Greene, New Lots, Park Slope, Prospect Height, Weeksville, and the Williamsburg sections of Brooklyn, and the Cambria Heights, Corona, and South Jamaica sections of Queens. The gardens are truly a diverse community gardeners.

What does a Land Trust do?

The primary job of a Land Trust is to protect its gardens. BQLT has successfully defended and continues to defend, gardens from encroachments, damage and destruction by construction companies, developers, and sometimes the neighbors. To successfully resolve these problems, BQLT, as a two borough-wide organization, can call on Trust for Public Land, politicians, New York’s Land Trust Alliance, gardeners and their neighborhood organizations for support. A small group of gardeners has little chance of success negotiating with powerful adversaries.

Who runs BQLT?

The BQLT board has a majority of gardeners. Every garden group has one representative who has the right to run for, and vote, for the Board of Directors at the annual meeting. Some board members can be non-gardeners with special skills to help run the organization. BQLT has a part time Program Director available for garden group projects.

How is BQLT funded?

As all other not-for-profit organizations, BQLT asks its members and supporters to help raise funds for its operations and board members write grant proposals to submit to Foundations, and Corporations. Recently, BQLT formulated a Strategic Plan for the future of the organization that includes specific steps to fundraising goals.

What is the process for transferring the properties from TPL to BQLT?

BQLT has a pro bono lawyer, Robert Eberhardt, who has agreed to donate his services. Mr. Eberhart is researching the deeds of all TPL gardens, documenting covenants, development (air) rights, zoning as well as title searches and other issues. Mr Eberhardt handled the recent transfer of garden deeds (34) of the Manhattan and Bronx from TPL to the Manhattan Land Trust, and the Bronx Land Trust.

Will the gardens be safe from development?

The gardens are safe from development and are preserved as permanent open space. The gardens cannot be developed.

Can BQLT ever sell the land?

No, BQLT nor anyone else can sell the land (garden properties).

We heard that some gardens have development rights attached to them that can be sold?

Some gardens do have development rights that can be sold. Development rights can only be used on the same block or close by, but not on or over the community garden

Who gets the money if development rights are sold what will be done with the money?

Any proceeds would go to BQLT and shared with TPL in a 80/20 % arrangement. Monies can only be spent on organization expenses.

Is BQLT capable of managing the properties?

BQLT has been in existence since 2004. Over time, BQLT has established strong leadership with an all volunteer board. A major part of BQLT work is protecting garden properties – be it from rats, deteriorating infra-structure to encroachments and damage to garden land and plants from neighbors. BQLT has created events that have become traditions such as the recognition of Garden Founders and Garden Coordinators, Annual Meetings, and Mid Year Events where gardeners are kept informed of the accomplishments of the organization. These events are important because gardeners meet each other and exchange knowledge and information.

What does a transfer of deeds mean for the gardeners of the 37 community gardens?

The health and welfare of all community gardens depends on you and the community of gardeners that take care of the gardens. A strong organization, working with gardeners, can ensure the safety of garden land and the right of gardeners to garden there.

What will change when BQLT gets ownership of the gardens?

Absolutely nothing will change. The gardeners will continue to run the gardens as they always have! The gardens are community gardens serving the community. BQLT will be a stronger organization representing a larger community of diverse gardeners.

What if our garden’s fence needs fixing, or the garden needs major work and the gardeners cannot afford?

A good steward of a land trust will have to save money to pay for major expenses that might occur. BQLT is in the process of setting aside funds for unforeseen expenses. Keep in mind that BQLT is only as strong as the support of its gardeners. BQLT will do everything in its power to help provide for all the gardens the services they need to maintain the garden and to see that the gardens are fully operational at all times.

What is the message?

We look for you to partner with us to help keep our gardens and gardening community in great shape, as we have done all along. We can’t do it alone and we know you can’t do it alone either. This requires a team effort. This is a partnership. We are your partners.

We Are A Team!