The Value of a Vacant Lot

Community open space is a necessity for all urban neighborhoods and residences. Open space provides citizens a place to plant flowers and vegetables, have barbecues, parties or simply relax and enjoy nature.

Vacant Lot Beautification Program

The Greater Newark Conservancy's Vacant Lot Beautification Program offers assistance to Block Greening Clubs who wish to take on long-term projects developing community open space. The Conservancy will assist in the design of the site, purchasing of materials, and conduct workshops with the Club. The Block Greening Club must provide a unified group to build, plant and manage community space. After the lot is established, the Conservancy will be available to answer your questions and hold workshops with the Club, but the pride of the beauty of your neighborhood must come from the community's own work.

Process for the Development of a Community Garden

  • Presentation by the Conservancy staff to discuss the proposed vacant lot beautification project.
  • Residents organize into a Block Greening Club; 5 members are chosen as Head gardeners; the group decides how to elect Head Gardeners.
  • Block Greening Club verifies if lot is city owned; if so, one member leases the lot through the City's Adopt-A-Lot program for $1.00 per year. Call Adopt-A-Lot at 973-733-3703.
  • Block Greening Club decides what type of garden is desired by the community; vegetable, vest pocket park, play garden or a combination of these.
  • Conservancy staff creates design for the lot based on community input.
  • Block Greening approves the design.
  • Construction schedule is established and development of the lot begins.
  • Block Greening Club provides the work crew to build, plant and maintain the community garden.
  • Conservancy provides materials, technical assistance, gardening workshops and compost as part of the program. Plants/seeds are provided free during the first season.

Who Is Eligible To Participate?

Your block is eligible if;

  • It is located in Newark.
  • At Least 75% of the houses on the block are occupied.
  • It is recommended that two or more blocks near the lot participate in the program.

How To Apply;

The neighbors must circulate a program petition to determine the number of households on the block interested in participating in the creation of the community garden. The group must have five head Gardeners to collaborate with Conservancy staff for organization of workshops, etc.

The Greater Newark Conservancy can make a presentation on the programs to the group if necessary. The group returns the petition with the one-time membership fee and then becomes a Greater Newark Conservancy Block Greening Club. They also must have a lease for the lot from Adopt-A-Lot and have paid the Green Club membership fee before the Conservancy can provide any services.

The Greater Newark Conservancy accepts new groups on a first come, first served basis with the groups that are prepared to engage in the program.

Greater Newark Conservancy, 303-9 Washington Street, 5th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102 Tel: 973.642.4646
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