#mudballs

How would you describe El Jardin del Paraiso?

It’s a considerably quite large community garden in the 4th street, between Avenue C & D. The title of the garden deserves it. It is actually a relaxing paradise away from the trashy streets of East Village. It has a calming vibe as soon as you enter it, when you see the earthy treehouse that has an amazing design. However, the famous artist who did it kept it’s entire natural beauty and earthy essence. With so many more spaces like growing fruits and vegetables, a lake that annually fills up, to the chickens it’s an significant garden to have in your neighborhood.

What qualities makes the garden special?

Specifically, from my perspective, the treehouse adds a significant value to the garden. The fact that it was donated to the garden community for the sake of environment, by an pricey treehouse designer adds so much more value to the garden and the bigger cause itself.

How is the garden designed?

It has a almost-hidden entrance that is not too eye catching or fancy. As soon as you enter you see the table, the bank and the treehouse. When you walk further more into the garden you realize its bigger then it seems to be. Its has a semi-large meadow that could be hosted by events. Than in the further end some chunks of wood to sit on and the lake that fills up time to time. With less amount of money and extra care, the community of the garden has managed to keep this place neat, functioning and beautiful.

What’s your personal relationship to gardens, and did El Jardin del Paraiso affect you?

I liked the fact that these people came in every day, for years of time, to these community gardens and give their time and care to keep it alive. El Jardin del Paraiso is one of these escape of city that is still has managed to survive and laying there between Avenue C and D. But mostly yeah, the treehouse.

Describe the experience of being in the garden.

It was amazing, relaxing at the same time. I felt like I have just stepped out of the crowded, dirty city of New York and came into this garden.

What did you learn from the community members we met today.