New Gazebo Unveiled at Castle Hill Houses Farm
Residents of Castle Hill Houses have a new place to gather: a gazebo at Karol’s Urban Community Farm, located at the development, which was unveiled on March 27 and will serve as a central gathering place for workshops, composting efforts, volunteer coordination, and community programming.
The new gazebo, which was funded by Council Member Amanda Farías, sits on Karol’s Urban Farm, a 1.3-acre volunteer-led community garden dedicated to sustainably meeting the food needs of the Castle Hill community through urban agriculture.
“There are children in Castle Hill who are learning how tomatoes grow, how compost works, and what it means to take care of the land,” said Council Member Amanda Farías. “Karol’s Urban Community Farm proves that when residents are given tools and support, they can transform their own backyard into something extraordinary. I’m proud we were able to invest in a space that strengthens food access and fosters improved quality of life in our community at the same time.”
Karol’s Urban Community Farm is cared for by residents, volunteers, and the New York Botanical Garden’s (NYBG) Bronx Green-Up program, who work together to seed, transplant, harvest, compost, and host farm stands providing fresh produce to neighborhood families.
“This is the first time in NYBG’s history that we’ve partnered with a City agency to operate a site outside of the Garden’s grounds, which marks a new milestone in our commitment to the Bronx community,” said Jennifer Bernstein, CEO and The William C. Steere Sr. President of the New York Botanical Garden. “Karol’s Urban Farm has the potential to become an educational site for health and nutrition, but more importantly, a community anchor that promotes well-being and positivity.”
“Castle Hill residents, your inspiration and your work as community leaders is strong,” said Qiana Mickie, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture. “It’s so important to have community-driven projects like this supported by elected officials and City government.”
Community leader and former Castle Hill Houses Resident Association President Jeannette Salcedo provided concluding remarks at the gazebo’s unveiling ceremony: “This is a big deal for our community, and it helps show others what’s possible. Big shout out to NYCHA and our other partners for being so supportive of our community’s ideas, which are meant to help people feel loved. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
The farm is one of eight urban agriculture sites across NYCHA as part of the Farms at NYCHA initiative, which is grounded in public housing resident leadership and community partnership.
“The addition of this new gazebo to Karol’s Urban Farm marks an exciting new chapter for Castle Hill Houses,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “This project embodies the mission of NYCHA’s Farms and Gardens Program to build collaboration between residents and partners to activate open spaces, strengthen community health and wellbeing across generations, and advance sustainability. We are immensely grateful for the funding provided by Council Member Farías and to the New York Botanical Garden for their continued partnership and investment to make this project possible.”
To contact the team, email gardens@nycha.nyc.gov or call (212) 306-8282 and leave a message. Learn more about their work: NYCHA Farms & Gardens: Growing Community, Food, & Engagement in 2025 – The NYCHA Journal.
NYCHA’s 2026 Farms and Gardens Summit is Saturday, April 25
NYCHA residents from all five boroughs are invited to join in for workshops, giveaways, and more to kick off the 2026 growing season. The Summit will be at the Ingersoll Community Center in Downtown Brooklyn. Visit NYCHA Farms & Gardens Summit 2026 Tickets to register.