LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the 462 Halsey Community Garden upon
the occasion of hosting its Spring Grand Opening and Earth Day Festival
on April 22, 2012

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities of New York State are
reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of organizations and
individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community and
its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the 462 Halsey Community Garden upon the occasion of hosting its Spring
Grand Opening and Earth Day Festival, to be celebrated on Sunday, April
22, in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, The 462 Halsey Community Garden was conceived in September of
2011 and founded in November of 2011; and
WHEREAS, The 462 Halsey Community Garden is a collaborative effort
between residents and local businesses to create a green space in
Bedford-Stuyvesant that is dedicated to serving the community in areas
that include education, agriculture, healthy living, community pride and
community ownership; and
WHEREAS, The lot at 462 Halsey Street has been vacant well over 30
years and is owned by the Housing Preservation Department of New York
City; and
WHEREAS, Co-founders and Presidents, Shatia Jackson and Kristen Bonar-
di Rapp were introduced in late August of 2011, by Paula Segal at 596
acres and have since been working tirelessly with other residents to
transform what was once an eyesore, into a thriving community garden;
and
WHEREAS, The goals of the 462 Halsey Community Garden are: to forge
new community bonds and relationships through mutual hard work; to offer
neighborhood youth a place to develop and grow through hands-on learning
and involvement; to provide education on healthy and sustainable living
to families that have been underserved; for the community to be self-
sustaining through agriculture and to lessen reliance on outside food
sources by providing fresh produce grown locally; and to offer a
percentage of our communal harvest for sale to local businesses, to give
them the opportunity to financially support this community effort as
well as provide them with the freshest ingredients for their customers,
by their customers; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing its strength and commitment, and the quality and
extent of its services, it is the custom of this Legislative Body to
extend its highest commendation to the 462 Halsey Community Garden,
applauding its preeminent endeavors and accomplishments; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the 462 Halsey Community Garden upon the occasion of hosting its
Spring Grand Opening and Earth Day Festival on April 22, 2012; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Shatia Jackson and Kristen Bonardi Rapp, Co-founders and
Presidents, the 462 Halsey Community Garden.