Re: Fencing, theft & vandalism

**A*@aol.com**

I agree with Bill Hohauser - the population density of NYC, and the fact that 
while we're no eviller than the general run of folks, a good eight foot high 
fence has saved the Clinton Community Garden for its 5,000 plus keyholders, 
given its public gardeners the understanding that the attractive vistas it 
invests hundreds of hours in will not be trashed by some knucklehead. 

Understand, please, that on our garden block there is Fountain House - the 
world's first clubhouse for schizophrenics, Project Return, a residential home 
for the homeless drug addicted and mentally ill, and a house for HIV positive 
adolescents.  All three institutions are encouraged to have garden keys and 
participate in garden activities.  Our lives are enriched by these organizations 
and the individuals that make them up. 

But we need to keep the garden as a safe haven for everyone in the area - 
just like a public library, a precious public space filled with treasures that 
need nuture and careful stewardship.  The neighborhood deserves to have lady 
slipper orchids to look at, but they don't need to be pilfered at night, the 
benches trashed, the people's place disrespected.  I'm glad that other urban 
community gardens are in a less feral environment - here a good fence, night lock 
and careful management is the key. 

Best. 
Adam Honigman
Volunteer, 
Clinton Community Garden 

> Subj: Re: [cg] Fencing, theft &vandalism 
>  Date: 10/25/05 9:12:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time
>  From: williamhohauser@earthlink.net
>  To: community_garden@mallorn.com
>  Sent from the Internet 
> 
> 
> 
> It's very interesting to hear the different approaches to fences from  
> around the country. Here in Manhattan a fence is a necessity since  
> without it we would have:
> 
> 1) Homeless people sleeping all over (our sympathies are with the  
> homeless but the garden is not the right place).
> 2) Illegal drug dealing and drug taking.
> 3) Rampant vandalism.
> 
> With the fence very little or none of the above happens. Our garden  
> started when the avenue we are on was a notorious drug supermarket.  
> Once the fence went up the garden became a sanctuary from the  
> desperation and crime outside the gate.
> 
> We also have to light parts of the garden at night to prevent people  
> from using the children's area as a drug den. It happened a few years  
> ago, people were climbing the fence and using the children's area all  
> night long. In the morning, parents would find needles and other  
> unsavory things. A strategically placed, energy efficient light ended  
> that, but we have to pay the increased electric bill. Some gardens in  
> our area open the garden and leave it unmonitored all day but our  
> experience tells us not to do it that way.
> 
> William Hohauser
> 6th Street &Avenue B Garden
> New York, NY

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