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50 Cent's Garden Blooms: Queens Green Space Thrives
23 Sep
Summary
- Rapper 50 Cent transformed a Queens garden into a vibrant community space.
- The garden features a unique 10-foot rainwater collection and shade system.
- Further upgrades in 2020 included a solar pump and new garden beds.
In November 2008, the Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson Community Garden in Jamaica, Queens, officially reopened, marking the culmination of a project initiated in 2007. Rapper Curtis James Jackson, through his G-Unity Foundation, partnered with the New York Restoration Project and founder Bette Midler to revitalize a neglected space.
Landscape architect Walter Hood designed the garden, envisioning it as a multifunctional area for gardening, recreation, and community gatherings. A key innovation was the installation of 10-foot-tall funnels designed to collect rainwater for irrigation while also providing shade for visitors.
Recognizing the ongoing need for open space in Jamaica, Queens, further improvements were made in 2020. These enhancements, supported by Walter Hood and the Knight Foundation, included a solar-powered water pump and newly constructed garden beds, continuing the site's evolution.
Eighteen years after its initial redevelopment, the garden remains a significant community asset, embodying Jackson's commitment to his hometown and providing a vital green oasis for residents.
