Gardens of Melrose: A. Badillo Garden

One of the many great things about living in Melrose is our abundance of community gardens which are a substitute for the lack of actual parks in the neighborhood.

This morning I had the pleasure of checking out the A. Badillo Community Garden on East 163rd Street between Melrose and Brook Avenues. It is one of the largest in the neighborhood and like many, it boasts the traditional Puerto Rican casita or little house.

The garden has been around for about 5 years and each morning between 8 and 9 Jose, who retired after Ford closed its Tarrytown plant over a decade ago, can be found opening up the place.

Born in the Bronx but raised in Puerto Rico before coming back to New York, Jose spends his time at the garden relaxing, playing dominoes or gardening.

He said that the garden is open to anyone and everyone so if you’re in the neighborhood, feel free to stop by and say hi or sit a spell and relax from the daily stresses of life.

Support your local community gardens!