The NYCHA Journal

The NYCHA Journal has informed and inspired residents since 1970, covering the news, contributions, and uplifting stories of the NYCHA community while providing the latest information on Authority initiatives.

Castle Hill community garden
NYCHA Resident Associations Sustainability Top Story 

Castle Hill Community Garden Dedicated in Honor of Late Resident Leader

Vincent Echavaria

Residents of NYCHA’s Castle Hill Houses celebrated the years-long efforts of a former resident association leader on August 21 by welcoming a new community garden space for the Bronx development.  

Prior to her death last year, Roxanne Reid had envisioned and advocated for a garden area to serve the Castle Hill community of more than 5,000 residents. That dream was finally realized after the nonprofit GrowNYC, in partnership with NYCHA, built a new community garden and dedicated the green space in honor of the former Castle Hill resident association president. The site was created through support from the Helmsley Charitable Trust. 

While Castle Hill is home to a playground and basketball courts, Ms. Reid wanted to ensure that residents could also enjoy a communal garden; she provided input to GrowNYC on how the site should be designed.  

“Ms. Roxanne Reid was a pillar in the Castle Hill community and the gatekeeper to the heart of her community,” said Chantel Kemp, Garden Coordinator at GrowNYC, which works to provide environmental and food access programs in the city. “She was a fierce advocate for residents and was instrumental in the creation of the Castle Hill garden.” 

In addition to raised garden beds that grow fresh fruit and vegetables, the new space features a GrowNYC Farmstand. The nonprofit has worked with NYCHA communities to create these fresh food markets and open green spaces at NYCHA and nearby school properties to serve residents across the five boroughs.  

The new community garden space includes a GrowNYC Farmstand, where young people are trained to sell fresh, affordable food.

According to GrowNYC, community gardens offer a variety of environmental benefits, including filtering the air, preventing pollution, attracting pollinators, and connecting people to the natural world. They also provide opportunities for healthy food access and reliable food distribution for underserved communities.     

“With the help of the Reid family and the Castle Hill Resident Association, the dedication of this garden to Ms. Reid turns tragedy into legacy,” Ms. Kemp said. “GrowNYC is honored to have played a small part in recognizing her legacy and transforming unused green space into a beautiful garden that also serves as a healing community space for all.”