PHOTOS: These Brooklyn Community Gardens Got Makeovers In 2020

BROOKLYN, NY — In an especially important year for outdoor spaces, 2020 brought new life to many of Brooklyn's community gardens.

Nine gardens in Brooklyn, the most of any borough, were reactivated or renovated this year through the NYC Parks Department's GreenThumb program, who released a list Thursday of the 15 community gardens across New York City that got an upgrade in 2020.

Those gardens include four in Brooklyn that were "reactivated" through a new gardening group and another five in the borough that received an upgrade.

“Community gardens have remained an indispensable part of the physical and social fabric of New York City for more than 40 years, and in a year like no other, we are proud to have continued our important work that helps these invaluable community gems thrive,” said NYC Parks GreenThumb Director Bill LoSasso. “I am thrilled we were able to complete the rebuilds and renovations of 15 gardens across the city this year despite multiple crises."

Started in 1978, GreenThumb is the nation's largest urban gardening program, assisting 550 gardens and 20,000 volunteer gardeners throughout the city.

Their support to community gardens includes supplies, technical assistance and needed upgrades such as the renovations this year.

This year, GreenThumb delivered more than 110,000 plant starts, added more than 375 raised garden beds, two new chicken coops and more than 2,000 cubic yards of compost and soil to the city's community gardens.

In Brooklyn, the reactivated gardens include Maple Street Community Garden in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, East End Community Garden in East New York, Poppa & Momma Jones Historical Garden in East New York and Fred McLeod Community Garden in Brownsville, which used to be the Marcus Garvey Tenants Association Garden.

Clara's Garden, Crystal Wells Block Association Garden, Shield Of Faith Garden, all in East New York, Hands & Heart Garden in New Lots and Powers Street Garden in Williamsburg were also all given upgrades.

Here's a look at some of the transformations:

Fred McLeod Community Garden (before and after):

Crystal and Wells Community Garden (before and after):

Powers Street Garden (before and after):

Clara's Garden (before and after):

East End Community Garden (chicken coop):

All photos Courtesy of NYC Parks GreenThumb.