On April 25, 2010, New York Restoration Project (NYRP) and our presenting sponsor, in partnership with the National Gardening Association and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, will host NYC Grows, an annual environmental-themed public festival that invites New Yorkers to explore community gardening, urban agriculture, sustainability, organic cooking and environmental education. In 2010, Bette Midler’s non-profit NYRP celebrates its 15th anniversary by transforming this annual community event into a giant gardening celebration!

NYC Grows 2010, which is free for all New Yorkers, will take place Sunday, April 25th, at the recently renovated plaza at Union Square Park from 10 am to 4 pm. Expanding on traditional ideas and incorporating fresh takes on eco-friendly living, the festival will be both fun and informative, aiming to educate and entertain NYC families about the joy of gardening and living green.

Adult participants will enjoy an array of interactive activities including planting and cooking demonstrations, ideas for living more sustainably in New York City, a green market experience, a tree giveaway with planting and care demonstrations, and a pop-up garden center and eco-product shopping area. Younger attendees will explore nature and the city’s great outdoors with NYRP’s Nature Mania programming, including interactive word puzzles and games, potting activities, animal interactions, and an eco-inspired reading area.

Live bands will provide music throughout the day, which attendees can enjoy while lounging in a grass picnic area constructed for the event. Those who work up an appetite can visit the booths of local, organic restaurants that will be on hand to provide food, lead cooking demonstrations and even distribute recipe books to amateur chefs looking to emulate the creations they have sampled.

Both corporate sponsors and community partners will be on-hand to showcase eco-friendly products and unique greening techniques that are sure to inspire attendees of all ages. Additionally, vendors will offer the opportunity to purchase recycled, fair trade and all natural merchandise including cosmetics, house wares, toys and furniture.