Gil Hodges Community Garden

Sponsored by Jo Malone London and NYC Department of Environmental Protection

Founded in 1982, this garden was originally named after Brooklyn Dodgers baseball great Gil Hodges. Also known as the Carroll Street Garden, it is currently used by several community groups, families and local businesses. 

In 2013, thanks to garden sponsors Jo Malone London and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the Gil Hodges Community Garden became the first of NYRP’s community gardens to implement a storm water management system. The system, which includes bioswales, rain gardens and permeable pavers, improves local water quality. Efficiently capturing storm water runoff, these special features prevent the sewer from overloading with polluted water and draining untreated into the nearby Gowanus Canal—protecting the vulnerable waterway.  

Community members enjoy the garden’s fragrance walk, inspired by fragrance leader and garden sponsor Jo Malone London, featuring lush, textural and aromatic plants, including sweetbay magnolia, ruby spice summersweet, orange azalea and mountain mint. A birch reading grove and patio provide quiet getaways for passive recreation. The garden also has an outdoor classroom area with a blackboard, a composting station and raised vegetable beds. Together, these garden features make Gil Hodges a beautiful retreat for all ages and seasons.