Senator Montgomery Congratulates Brooklyn Queens Land Trust at their Celebration of Gardens

November 8, 2019

For Immediate Release

Senator Montgomery Congratulates Brooklyn Queens Land Trust at their Celebration of Gardens

Senator Montgomery honored Brooklyn Queens Land Trust (BQLT) at their 10th Annual Celebration of Gardens. She presented both BQLT and their former President, Demetrice Mills a proclamation in appreciation of the vital work they do. Community gardens began as a grassroots beautification and community engagement movement and provided safe, green, open space often in underserved neighborhoods. Community gardens began as a grassroots beautification and community engagement movement and provided safe, green, open space often in underserved neighborhoods. 

“Today I see and celebrate community gardens playing an even larger role in our communities and especially in my district. They host events, encourage civic engagement and activism, engage our youth and seniors and provide affordable fresh produce even in the middle of food deserts,” said State Senator Velmanette Montgomery. I truly remain committed to supporting and preserving these important spaces. I hope to continue to strengthen our community gardens and organizations like BQLT that are dedicated to doing this work.”

BQLT is the owner of 35 community gardens and the lease-holder of one additional garden. BQLT-owned  gardens cannot be sold or developed and are permanently saved as open spaces. Located in 20 different neighborhoods through Brooklyn and Queens, BQLT gardens provide opportunities for diverse groups of people to meet and work together cooperatively. BQLT is a 501 c(3) non-profit with a unique grassroots structure where the gardens are the members and garden representatives act on behalf of their gardens in an official capacity (either on the BQLT board or as voting members).