Rego Park Vegetable Garden: P.S. 139 Kids Show Everything Is Possible

So much is possible with the help of a school and a community. This month P.S. 139 planted basil, lettuce, oregano, peas, beans, and so much more in front of their school. "We didn't have any shade so we couldn't plant the garden inside the gate, we had to plant the garden on the sidewalk and hope the community would love it." says Yvonne Shortt co-founder of the Rego Park Green Alliance. The Rego Park Green Alliance is a local community group that secured the grant and worked with parents and teachers to organize the planting.

The best part is the community has loved and help nurture the garden. "Sometimes parents walk by and rub the basil. Then they smell their hands and smile," says Shortt.

The Rego Park Green Alliance has also organized a mural behind the garden. Plants and butterflies can be seen behind the planters on a bright yellow wall. On most mornings kids and parents can be seen looking at the plants and measuring their progress. The science teachers have also been a great asset to the garden. Teachers took over 200 children out to help get the garden planted and they work with the children everyday to water the plants.

"If you have a committed community anything is possible," says Shortt. And you know what? I believe her.

Written By Richard West