In 2007, the space formerly known as the Baisley Park Community Garden began its remarkable transformation into the Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson Community Garden. This 15,120-square-foot space – just under an acre in size and situated on a corner lot bordered by an embankment and railroad tracks – was active for many years with vegetable growing, but was a plot sorely in need of a renaissance.

That feat has now been extraordinarily realized thanks to the partnership forged between New York Restoration Project (NYRP) and rap-sensation Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Giving back to his childhood neighborhood and the community that has supported him over the years, Jackson joined forces with NYRP Founder and performer Bette Midler – not for a duet, but to breathe new life into this much needed green space. As a result, the surrounding area and the lives of local residents have blossomed right along with this revitalized community treasure.

Generously underwritten by 50 Cent’s G-Unity Foundation, the site features the talents of acclaimed landscape architect and designer Walter Hood. For six months, NYRP’s horticulture crews and design team worked side-by-side with Hood and local residents to realize the community’s vision for the space. Incorporating a children’s learning garden, vegetable plots and a patio area, the garden does much to draw the community into the garden and take the garden out into the community. An innovative and wildly creative design makes the property not only a lively, multi-functional gathering space, but also provides gardeners with amenities such as a unique rainwater harvesting system – composed of 10-foot-tall funnels – which provides regular irrigation, as well as shade for rest and relaxation.

Opened in November 2008, the newly renovated Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson Community Garden provides neighborhood residents with access to green space, where residents now have the opportunity to host NYRP Movie Nights, gardening workshops, family activities and much more.

Located in the Jamaica section of Queens, the garden represents a much-needed resource for an area that currently has less than five percent of the recommended amount of open space necessary to serve its more than 52,000 children residents.