Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson Community Garden

In 2007, the space formerly known as the Baisley Park Community Garden began its remarkable transformation into the Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson Community Garden.

Giving back to his childhood neighborhood and the community that has supported him over the years, rap-sensation Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson joined forces with NYRP Founder and performer Bette Midler to breathe new life into this green space.

Generously underwritten by 50 Cent’s G-Unity Foundation, the site was re-opened in November 2008 and features the talents of acclaimed landscape architect and designer Walter Hood. 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.

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 to serve its more than tens of thousands of children residents.

In 2020, Hood and The Knight Foundation supported garden upgrades including installation of a solar powered water pump and construction of new garden beds.