The Year in Review: Our Impact in 2016
“ I would like to take this time to thank Paula and anyone else involved in posting the lots I am involved in for all of the pictures and valuable information connected to the lots. Thank you for letting me be a part of this amazing journey.”— Wanda, Rockaway
Since 2011, 596 Acres has worked across New York City’ s five boroughs to ensure that people living in our neighborhoods have access to the vacant public land around them. Nothing happens without a place. We helped neighbors create three brand new places in 2016, bringing the total number we have directly helped neighbors transform to 37 since 2011. Dozens of other successful campaigns around the city were started with accurate information from LivingLotsNYC. org or seeded by our signs on fences.
Communal land stewardship imparts unforgettable lessons in how to work together to make the world better, one lot at a time. Thousands of New Yorkers with different backgrounds and skills have united to grow produce, turn food scraps into soil, host gatherings, program arts and culture events, and take care of themselves and each other. Connections made through creating and managing community spaces are the foundations of a strong, just and equitable city.
Resilience depends on the strength of our communities; community strength depends on community spaces. This past year 596 has tirelessly supported communities using land to build their strength.
How We Work: The Data in Action We started 2016 with a huge victory: we helped residents permanently preserve 36 community spaces across New York City. Many were spaces we helped neighbors create out of vacant public land since 2011, and some had been community gardens and farms for much longer than that.
This success was a response
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