Prospect Heights Community Garden Grows City's Best Dahlias, Judges Say

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — A community garden in Prospect Heights took home the top honor in one category at a contest of gardens across the five borough.

The city's Parks Department held its annual GreenThumb Harvest Fair at Brooklyn Bears Pacific Garden on Saturday. Gardens from across the city were judged on their vegetables, flowers, jams, honey, herbs and more.

The Prospect Heights Community Farm, on St. Marks Avenue between Vanderbilt and Underhill avenues placed first for best Dahlia. Gardener Traci Nottingham was on hand to accept the award.

Nottingham also won the contest's "Fresh Chef" award in an on-site cook-off. Using ingredients picked from gardens across the city, Nottingham whipped up a ginger broccoli slaw and kale salad with apple, radish and feta.

"I’m thrilled to see my home borough of Brooklyn taking home so many blue ribbons this year," Parks Commissioner Michael J. Silver said in a statement.

"This is one of my favorite annual events because our community gardeners get to show off their hard work and also be recognized for making our city a greener place. We have more than 550 community gardens in the city, helping to improve air quality, bio–diversity, and the well–being of New Yorkers."

GreenThumb is the arm of NYC Parks responsible for the city's 550 community gardens, most of which were formerly derelict patches of land lovingly transformed by volunteers.

Image courtesy Danny Avila / NYC Parks