Squadron, Others Clean Up Vacant Lot To Make Room for South Brooklyn Children's Garden

joined a team of local green thumbs over the weekend to clean up a vacant lot at the corner of Sackett and Columbia Streets, which will be transformed into a children's garden in the future.

Members of the South Brooklyn Children's Garden had worked together with Squadron and the City's Department of Housing Preservation and Development to secure the new space.

"The group plans to plant a number of vegetables, including arugula, beets, carrots, radishes, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and peas," Senator Squadron shared in a release on Monday. "They will also set up rain-water harvesting and composters. 

While the 2012 growing season is nearing its end, the garden is due to be functioning at 100% capacity by the 2013 season. Educational programs for neighborhood children and local schools will be taking place at the garden as well.

"Children will learn about gardening, plants, and composting, and can participate in planting seeds, transplanting seedlings, turning the compost, and watering plants," organizers said. "The focus will be on children learning how to grow plants, what makes them healthy, and how it supports the local ecosystem and environment."

What do you think of the future children's garden? Is this a good use of space for the neighborhood?