Operators of anti-Israel community garden in Queens slapped with vacate order by NYC Parks Dept.
The NYC Parks Department issued a vacate order this week to the leaders of the Sunset Community Garden with a Sept. 3 deadline to leave — wrapping up a four-month fight sparked by complaints of antisemitism by the garden's organizers.
'There is no place for hate in New York City, and our community gardens should be safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces for all New Yorkers,' Mayor Eric Adams told The Post.
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'It is reprehensible that the current operators at Sunset Community Garden barred some of their fellow New Yorkers from a city-owned public space because of their beliefs — and specifically tried to bar those who believe in a state of Israel, which the overwhelming majority of Jews do.'
4 The NYC Parks Department issued a vacate order Tuesday notifying an anti-Israel group they need to be out of a controversial Queens community garden by Sept. 3 – wrapping up a four-month fight sparked by complaints of garden organizers forcing attendees to pledge their support for Palestine.
Helayne Seidman
'The Adams administration remains dedicated to stamping out hate wherever it is found,' he said.
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The Parks Department had long been pushing for new management at the garden, located at Onderdonk and Willoughby avenues in Ridgewood, and revoked their license May 5, citing a breach of contract.
But garden leaders ran to court claiming they were being discriminated against, prompting a judge to issue a temporary restraining order June 4 that allowed them to stay.
4 A special section of the green space was labeled 'Poppies 4 Palestine.'
Instagram @sunsetgardenridgewood
That order was recently lifted, allowing Parks to move forward with the ouster.
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The garden opened in September 2023 at an unused lot at Grover Cleveland High School, starting out as non-political endeavor organized by the Parks Department and community leaders.
However, it was soon overwhelmed by anti-Israel politics.
4 Altar to a trans activist at the Sunset Community Garden, seen through a chain-link fence.
Helayne Seidman
4 The garden opened in September 2023 at unused lot at Grover Cleveland High School, starting out as non-political endeavor organized by the Parks Department and community leaders.
Helayne Seidman
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A special section of the green space is labeled 'Poppies 4 Palestine.'
In June, garden organizer Laura Merrick renamed Sunset Community Garden to Jardin de Santa Cecilia in honor of Latina trans advocate Cecilia Gentili.
The space is now home to a pair of 'altars' honoring Gentili.
Merrick declined comment Friday, but her group filed a federal discrimination lawsuit July 31 against the Parks Department that is still pending.
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