On the evening of Friday, September 14th, 2007 over 100 neighbors came out to The Garden Center to celebrate its 10th Anniversary!







In 1997, the southeast corner of Frankford Avenue and Berks Street was transformed from a trash-strewn, abandoned lot into the plant-filled oasis known as the New Kensington Community Garden Center.







The Garden Center was built in only six weeks by NKCDC staff, local residents, staff of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Philadelphia Green Program, and AmeriCorps members from the National Community and Conservation Corps. It was designed by the Community Design Collaborative, NKCDC staff, and local residents.







The Garden Center now stands not only as a major accomplishment of NKCDC's Open Space Management Program, but also as a symbol of what people can achieve by working together.

On the afternoon of Saturday, September 27th the Garden Center was host to the Green Jobs Now! National Day of Action, which promotes the green economy and provides neighbors with resources on helping to pass green legislation.



Those organizations in attendance included the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Empowerment Group, the Sierra Club's BlueGreen Alliance, PennFuture, the Energy Coordinating Agency, Mayor's Office of Sustainability.





Certified herbalist Catherine Birdsall provided a free herbal workshop as well. Neighbors learned about the nutritional benefits of cooking with herbs that grow right here in Philadelphia.

For more information on promoting the green economy, please visit the Green Jobs Now! national website at http://www.greenjobsnow.org.

Fall Festival
Saturday, October 18th
11 A.M. - 6 P.M.
Fun for the whole family! Come out for pumpkin carving,
face painting and other arts and crafts.
Rain date - Saturday, October 25th

Mike McGrath of NPR's "You Bet Your Garden" returned to The Garden Center on Saturday, May 5th, to deliver a triple-play workshop on growing tomatoes in the city, large planters, and preparing mulch. Over fifty neighbors attended this free event, which was made possible by the Office of Housing and Community Development.