I was finally able to get back into the City for a short break the day after Thanksgiving. I had spent my day before at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and instead of going to Christmas tree drop off with the Hasbrouck Heights Men’s Association (I decided to give it a rest after 25 years), I worked in Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen serving a post-Thanksgiving Dinner. Talk about busy! They kept me running all morning and afternoon.

Helping out at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen

https://holyapostlesnyc.org/

Setting the table at Holy Apostles

People enjoying a holiday dinner with dignity

After lunch was over, I felt something nagging at me and instead of going home to rest, I decided it was time to finish walking the streets of Alphabet City. It was cooler than it was back in August, so it gave me a different perspective of the neighborhood with all the Community Gardens closed and the trees bare.

Holy Apostles treats people who are struggling with respect and I recognize that after over twenty years of volunteering there.

Plus I figured whatever it was that was trying to take a foothold in me would stop with lots of fresh air and exercise. It worked. After the walk, I not only felt better but was in a much better mood. A brisk walk on a sunny but cool day is the best thing in the world.

I started the walk on the corner of Avenue A and East 13th Street

Alphabet City is a neighborhood in transition. By Avenue A near the edges of the NYU campus, there is much gentrification going on where the bars and restaurants are getting more expensive to Avenue D where the projects are located and there is a massive renovation. I have never seen such changes.

Looking down East 13th Street in the late Fall

I had finished the borders and Avenues of the neighborhood in August before the Fall semester started and tried to finish the streets but this is a big neighborhood and there just was not the time. So I split my time on the neighborhood doing the top part just after Thanksgiving and the rest during a cold snap on Spring Break in mid March. The community gardens may have been dormant at the time but in March you could feel the coming of Spring.

It’s all about creativity and the unique street art

The memorial by artist

(I don’t know the artist)

Sometimes it’s just what a tagger creates that’s unique and fun

What I love about Alphabet City is the combination of creative street art that dominates all the walls and buildings making the whole neighborhood an open air museum.

Another thing I noticed was the vast amount of community gardens that dominated every block. This was the biggest concentration of them I had seen so far in the City. Many gates were locked during the colder months but during my Spring Break with 70 degree weather, the gates flung open and volunteers were preparing beds and clearing the brambles of the previous Fall. Spring flowers were on their way.

The unique paintings on the Roberto Clemente Family Guidance Center at 540 East 13th Street

https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/locations/nyc-health-hospitals-gotham-health-roberto-clemente-center/

The work was created by American Artist Leslie Heathcote

Artist Leslie Heathcote

https://www.lesleyheathcote.com/

Ms. Heathcote is an American born artist who graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. Her love of nature and animals is the main theme of her work. She is now based in Vermont (Artist bio).

I have seen this artist’s work all over the City. This is closer to Avenue D right across from the Con Ed complex.

(not sure who the tagger artist is)

The Con Ed complex dominates the core of the Northern section of the neighborhood at the top of Avenue D and East 13th Street. Nothing glamorous about living next to a power plant yet across the street between East 14th and East 13th Streets luxury housing is being developed. Only in Manhattan!

https://www.coned.com/en

I then passed the Relaxation Garden at 208 Avenue B and East 13th Street. I never really understood this garden. While all the others in the neighborhood have beautiful plantings, artwork and flowers, this one still looks like a garbage strewn lot.

The Relaxation Garden at 209 Avenue B

https://evgrieve.com/search/label/Relaxation%20Garden?m=0&version=meter+at+null

Gardens by Street

The side of the garden snd the street art

This particular garden I could see needed a lot of work and I could see by many of the articles online that a lot was being done to clean it up again. The garden is one to look to in the future. Right now the garden is full of trash and there is not much to it.

The garbage strewn lot that needs a little TLC

All over the blocks I explored there was so much street art to admire that it was like an open air museum.

This was my favorite piece of art work from the side of the mural on the Roberto Clemente building

The work created by artist Chico Les

Artist Chico Les

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chico_(artist)

https://www.instagram.com/chicolesnyc/

“Chico” is the tag name for American/Puerto Rico born, New York City based artist Antonio “Chico” Garcia. “Chico” is known for his colorful murals and graffiti art, many of the works displayed on the Lower East Side (Wiki/Artist bio).

The Dias Y Flores Garden at 520 East 13th Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/dias-y-flores

The name Dias y Flores (Days and Flowers) is taken from a hauntingly beautiful song about hope and growing bySilvio Rodriguez. ArtistBob Lasherhas created the bottle and brick pathway. On this site was once a fully occupied building; abandoned by its owners in the early 1970’s, it slowly fell prey to disrepair and drug trade. The City seized the building and cemented up the doors and windows before eventually tearing it down in 1976 and leaving a rubble-strewn lot–and an open invitation to garbage dumping of all kinds (Dias y Flores website).

In 1978, the13th Street Block Associationenvisioned in its place a community lot, with a garden and a playground, and began the labor-intensive work of clearing out the brick, rubble, and trash–from broken hypodermic needles to refrigerators and car parts–all by hand. Dias y Flores from its earliest days was graced with several experienced gardeners and horticulturalists as members. Along with the help ofGreenthumb, most of the trees and shrubs were planted by 1981. (Dias y Flores website).

About

The inside of Dias Y Flores Garden in the late Fall

Most of the Community Gardens are now closed for the season and won’t open up to the public again until April. In the summer when I was walking the borders and Avenues of the neighborhood, the gardens would open to the public on the weekends. I will have to wait a few months.

Rounding East 12th Street

Walking down East 12th Street was interesting in the contrasts to the different side of Alphabet City that you live on. Closer to Avenue A you are near the quickly gentrifying East Village with the NYU and Pratt students or closer to the river near the renovation of the housing projects and the park and its overhaul. It is going to be an interesting Great Saunter this year.

The artwork of artist Felix Morelo lines the walls of this restaurant

“The Kissing Spot”

“The Good Luck Spot”

The artist’s signature on the works

Artist Felix Morelo

https://www.felixmorelo.com/

https://www.instagram.com/morelofelix/

Artist Felix Morelo is American born artist now living in New York City. He has studied at the Parsons School of Design and Art Students League of New York City. He is known for his creative street art and his ‘chalk circles’ which promote dialogue (Artist website).

By March 2026, the artist painted over his work on the wall

All along East 12th Street, there are all sorts of creative street art in various forms. It seems that there are two things that dominate the neighborhood, street art and community gardens.

The memorial mural

I am not sure what happened to Nugget

(Could not find the artist on the work)

As I passed PS 34 School, I noticed the fascinating metal work of then building’s playground and had to stop and admire it. I was not sure if this was artwork or just design to protect the windows.

The ironwork art outside the playground of PS on East 12th Sttreet

I was not sure who created it but I thought it was interesting enough to stop and admire it . I thought the affect was interesting.

This is one of my favorite series of murals that I passed again when I was walking through the neighborhood. This sits on the side wall of PS 34 on East 12th Street.

The murals by Avenue C created by a series of artists from the Thrive Cooperative

The panel that lined the school created by artists from the Thrive Collective

https://www.thrivecollective.org

This little guy looked bright and happy underneath the entrance to the school

The mural Dr. Pedro Albizo Campos by artist Danielle Masirion

Artist Danielle Mastrion

http://www.daniellemastrion.com/

https://www.instagram.com/daniellebknyc/?hl=en

Danielle Mastrion is a Brooklyn-born, New York City based painter and muralist who specializes in large scale, brightly colored murals. She holds a BFA from Parsons School of Design (Artist website)

I loved this whimsical school painting by artists Savannah Zambrano and Andrea Amanda

https://www.savannahzambrano.com/

Artist Savannah Zambrano

https://www.facebook.com/unlazy.nenaluna/

Savannah Zambrano is a freelance sequential artist thathosts workshops and panels, does face painting and caricatures, and works with Traditional and Digital Media (Artist Bio website).

The artists sign with the Thrive Collective

I loved this mural with the Puerto Rican flag by artist Miki Mu

The sign for the artist Miki Mu

Artist Michela Muserra

https://bookanartist.co/artist/artist-for-hire/2119

https://www.thrivecollective.org/miki-mu/

Michela Muserra is an international muralist and illustrator based in Brooklyn. A graduate ofAccademia di Bella Artiin her hometown of Foggia, Italy. The artist has worked as a teaching artist with Thrive Collective since January 2017 (Thrive Collective website).

I love this colorful display of positive behavior of Frank Ape by artist Brandon Sines

Artist Brandon Sines

https://www.stickerbombworld.com/blogs/news/in-conversation-brandon-sines-aka-frank-ape

https://artrunnermag.com/posts/brandon-sines/

Artist Brandon Sines was exposed to many cultures while growing up simultaneously in New York City, Toronto, and Los Angeles. He mixes Pop Art’s mass culture, Surrealism’s private associations, and inventive paint handling to create dreamlike environments. His mark making ranges from experimental techniques to illustrative precision. Parts of the paintings are crystal clear, and other parts reach abstraction.

I loved his video on how he creates his work!

I could not find the artist who created this piece

Some of the taggers really know how to decorate the corners of walls and doors

The Campos Community Garden at 640 East 12th Street

https://www.camposcommunitygarden.org/

https://www.facebook.com/camposcommunitygarden/

The Campos Community Garden was an empty lot until 1982 when the lot was cleared and the it was an active garden enjoyed by the community. When the main organizer moved away, it had fallen into neglect for years until it was revived in 2004 by a group of neighbors. A Children’s Garden was added in 2006 and was rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy. It is now a thriving garden enjoyed by the community and fruits and vegetables are raised to benefit everyone (The Campos Garden website).

The inside of the Campos Community Garden in the late Fall of 2025

The Down to Earth Garden is at 546 East 12th Street and was also closed for the season

https://downtoearthgarden.org/

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/down-to-earth-garden

https://www.instagram.com/downtoearthgardennyc/

The Down to Earth Garden was established in 1993 when a building was knocked down, leaving an empty lot. It was originally called the Children’s garden but changed its name in 2020. It is now part of the GreenThumb program and is part of the NYC Parks Division (Down to Earth Garden website).

The next park was the Joseph C. Sauer Playground at

The sign for the Joseph C. Sauer playground at 532 East 12th Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/joseph-c-sauer-park

https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/joseph-c-sauer-park/highlights

Review on TripAdvisor:

Joseph C. Sauer

https://www.honorstates.org/profiles/392479/

Joseph C. Sauer was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His family moved to the Lower East Side of New York City when he was an infant. Sauer graduated from the Redemptorist Parochial School and excelled in athletics, especially track. He worked for the Western Electric Company, and following the death of his grandfather, Sauer and his mother took over the family’s basket manufacturing business. He worked there until he entered the United States Army on September 28, 1917 (NYCParks.org).

The history of the playground

The Sauer playground in the Fall of 2025

The last of the parks and gardens I either passed or explored on East 12th Street was the El Sol Brillante Garden. Though the gardens were closed for the season, you could see the extensive plantings through the beautifully wrought iron gates created by local artist Julie Dermansky.

The sign for the El Sol Brillante garden at 522 East 12th Street

The garden and the beautiful wrought iron gates

(From the El Sol Brillante website)

El Sol Brillante Community Garden rose from the ashes of a demolished lot of four burnt-out buildings in the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1977. Residents organized to create a garden that would revitalize the neighborhood, unite local leadership, and improve the quality of their environment. The original group of forty, with the help of a resident architect, the Horticultural Society of New York (gardening advice), the Cornell Cooperative Extension Service (gardening advice), and the CETA Summer Youth Corps (labor and jobs for kids) designed plans and with very little money and a great deal of sweat equity, a garden was born. In 1978, with the assistance of the Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit land trust was created and the lot was acquired in 1980. A once rubble-filled lot became a thriving 1,000 square foot, 40-plot vegetable garden, a meeting place, and a preserved natural space for its members and their community.

The entrance to the El Sol Brillante Garden

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/el-sol-brillante-jr

The signature of Artist Julie Demansky

Artist Julie Demansky

https://www.jsdart.com/index

https://www.nyc.gov/site/dclapercentforart/projects/projects-detail.page?recordID=81

https://www.instagram.com/juliedermansky/

Artist Julie Demansky is an American born artist. She graduated from Tulane Newcomb University with a concentration in ceramics and sculpture and was awarded the Watson Fellowship. She is known for her large scale metal work projects (NYC.gov).

A full view of those beautiful gates

As I walked down the street there were several small restaurants and gourmet shops that caught my attention. I did not have a chance to stop having eaten at another restaurant in the area for lunch. These will be for another visit.

The Pastry Box Bakery at East 12th Street

https://thepastrybox.co/

https://www.instagram.com/thepastryboxbakery/

Review on TripAdvisor:

I passed this cute little bakery that warrants a visit.

Turning on East 11th Street

When I turned onto East 11th Street, it was like an open air art museum with various tags and paintings that were both creative and colorful along the walls of the neighborhood.

East 11th Street in the Fall of 2025

I thought this bird piece by Grilla was pretty interesting on this window

Artist Grilla

(I could not find any information on this tagger/artist online)

I loved this tag. I thought it was pretty creative

On the side of this building on East 11th Street was another mural painted by artist Lesley Heathcote.

The mid nautical scene was created by Artist Lesley Heathcote

Artist Lesley Heathcote

https://www.lesleyheathcote.com/

(See Bio above)

Alphabet Scoop Ice Cream at 543 East 11th Street

https://www.alphabetscoopny.com/

https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=%2Falphabetscoopny%2F&source=omni_redirect

My review on TripAdvisor:

The next Community Garden that I passed was the Toyota East Children’s Learning Garden at

The sign welcoming you to the Toyota East Children’s Garden at 603 East 11th Street

https://www.nyrp.org/en/gardens-and-parks/toyota-east-childrens-learning-garden/

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/toyota-childrens-learning-garden-coradan-evaeden

The inside of the garden in the late Fall

The history of the Community Garden:

(From the garden website)

In 2007, Toyota provided funding to transform this site from a basic vegetable garden into an outdoor children’s learning experience, commissioning landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh for the design.

To prepare the garden for restoration, New York Restoration Project construction crews performed demolition and grading procedures on the site, cleared debris and garbage and installed various hardscape features. Over the course of six months, NYRP horticulture and design teams worked hand-in-hand with local residents and Van Valkenburgh to realize the community’s vision for this newly renovated gem, which includes four distinct habitat areas that NYRP and New York City educators can use to present environmental education programming to neighborhood youth.

Walking down East 11th Street on a crisp late Fall day

The weather got a little warmer in the afternoon and I was enjoying the weather. The leaves on the trees were changing as the weather got cooler and more brisk. The streets were quiet on this holiday week day.

The next park I passed was the Dry Dock Playground at Szold Place on 11th Street

The sign at the entrance of Dry Dock Playground on 11th Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/dry-dock-playground-and-pool

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheLowerEastSide/posts/10162366061689719

The playground had been very active with basketball games, birthday parties and barbecues when I was exploring the neighborhood in the summer months. There was non stop activity until September but very silent in the colder Fall months. I did not see anyone there except when I returned in March during my Spring Break visit and it was in the 70’s. Kids were out playing basketball.

The murals behind the closed gates

(I could not get a close enough view to see who the artist was on this mural)

The park sitting quiet in the colder months but comes alive with all sorts of neighborhood activity in the summer

The last garden I passed on the block as I finished was the 11 BC Serenity Garden at 626 East 11th Street.

The 11 BC Serenity Garden at 626 East 11th Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/11-bc-serenity-garden

https://www.facebook.com/groups/975674166305133/

The garden behind closed gates in the Fall of 2025

It was one of the few locked gardens on all three of my walks in the neighborhood. I could see the garden was going through the season change and would have to visit the garden again in the warmer months.

I got to East 10th Street by the late afternoon. I could see the changes of the late fall on the parks and gardens in the neighborhood.

Rounding East 10th Street near Tompkins Square Park for the last part of the walk that day

I walked through the empty Dry Dock Playground a couple more times as I rounded the neighborhood, through the quiet paths. The sounds of children and of adults barbecuing and birthday parties are the sounds I will hear in a few months when the warm weather comes.

The Dry Dock Playground by Avenue D in the quiet cooler months. It is a mob scene in the warmer months on the weekends.

The large ‘El Bohio Murals’ created by the Thrive Collective on the outside of the old public school

https://www.thrivecollective.org

The ‘Thrive Collective‘ sign on the mural

History of Thrive Collective:

(from the Thrive Collective website)

Thrive Collective creates hope and opportunity through arts, sports, and mentoring in and around public schools. Our core programs – Murals; RHYME (Rhymes Help Young Minds Excel); Media; Mentors; Festivals, and Sports – connect artists, youth workers, and volunteers with local schools as teaching artists, art directors, coaches, and mentors. Project based learning and accredited curriculum integrate life and art skills in four kinds of experiences: in-school electives, after school clubs, seasonal intensives, and weekend warriors.

My favorite section of the mural created by this talented group of artists

I came across this taggers art on one of the doorways

I came across this nature scene on the corner of East 11th Street

I thought this was really original and was beautifully designed and colored by the artist. It is also one of the few murals in the neighborhood that has not be covered over by other artists.

The work was created by Artist Joel Chico

Artist Joel Chico

https://www.instagram.com/joelchicoshow/

https://joelchico.com/about

Joel Chico is an Actor, Writer, Director from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is the creator of JMC Creative Endeavors, an artistic platform for his projects as a musician, poet, painter, photographer, and spiritual wisdom keeper. He is currently in the process of writing a poetry anthology, and his Cosmic Trilogy Feature screenplays (Artist bio).

I crossed Avenue D into the housing projects and came across the murals that were painted on the first floor of the housing complex. These colorful works were created by a series of artists working with Thrive Collective (see above) to decorate these rather plain walls in the housing complex.

The mural along the housing complex

The mural by Artist Miki Mu

Artist Miki Mu

Michela Muserra(known as “Miki Mu”) is an international muralist and illustrator based in Brooklyn. A graduate ofAccademia di Bella Artiin her hometown of Foggia, Italy, Michela launched Thrive Collective’s Private Murals Collection as an advanced apprenticeship for our most promising School Murals students and artists. Michela has worked as a teaching artist with Thrive Collective since January 2017 (From the artist website on Thrive Collective).

https://www.thrivecollective.org/miki-mu

The next side of the mural

The last part of the mural on the other side of the building

This was my favorite part of the mural

This was painted by artist bebebsmbu88

The project is inspired by a sacred ceremonial mask carved from a coconut shell in the island of Puerto Rico. It’s called “Vejigante,” and it’s an important and iconic character portrayed in the carnival celebrations in the island. The artwork pays tribute to the HipHop and Caribbean culture presenting the characters in a modern context. The Coconut Mask is a metaphor for our ancestral connection to nature and spirituality (From the artist’s website website).

Artist Bebe Bambu88 (real name Gabriel Rosario Mongil)

https://www.elbebebambu.com/

https://www.instagram.com/bebebambu88/

The artist is originally from Santurce, Puerto Rico. Artist Gabriel Rosario Mongil aka Bebe Bambu is a designer and recording artist. Originally known for his graffiti work and slam poetry, being the author of several murals in Puerto Rico and Monterrey, MX. He graduated from the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras and received a scholarship to do his masters degree in graphic design and graduated from the University of Monterrey, MX in 2013/15. During this; he had his second solo exhibition, recorded his first solo album and started offering workshops for children in communities in need (From the artist’s website)

The Jacob Riis Housing Complex along Avenue D

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riis_Houses

Click to access Riis.pdf

I finally reached the end of East 11th Street in the projects. Years ago you would never dream of walking through Jacob Riis complex. Now it is the cut through to East River Park by the hipsters and college students who have moved into the area.

I then rounded the corner and I was on East 10th Street and found myself in front of Topkins Square Park to passed peak foliage. Both during the holiday weekend and on my Spring Break, the park was busy. The park has come a long way since the 1980’s when it was all drugs and homelessness. It is now the center of the community for skateboarders, dog walkers, seniors getting rest and new parents spending time with their kids.

The brownstones and tenements around Tompkins Square

The entrance to Tompkins Square Park

https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/tompkins-square-park

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tompkins_Square_Park

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60763-d136290-r1027076388-Tompkins_Square_Park-New_York_City_New_York.html?m=19905

Tompkins Square Park was once one of the most notorious parks in New York City between the homeless and the drug dealing. Now it is mostly college students from the downtown schools and the neighborhood residents gentrifying the neighborhood. It was in the final stages of the fall foliage. This is where I would stop in November. It was a big neighborhood to walk.

Once the weather got colder and I got busier with the holidays so I had to put the walking in Alphabet City on hold for a few months. Who knew it was going to be one of the coldest winters in recent memory. I was not able to get back to walking the neighborhood until March of 2026 during my Spring Break from the college when the temperatures hit 75 degrees.

Between the cold weather and the recent snow storms with the foot of snow, who could or wanted to walk around New York City? Then Spring Break came at the college just as the Spring thaw started and the weather really warmed up. It seemed for two days the whole City, tired of the cold weather and snow, played hooky and were in Tompkins Square Park enjoying the weather.

From March 9th through the 10th in 2026, the weather warmed up into the mid 70’s and it gave me a chance to finish walking the neighborhood. The temperatures would go right back down to the 30’s and 40’s after that until mid-April. The warm weather gave me the opportunity during my Spring Break to finish walking the streets of the neighborhood.

I walked East 12th and 11th Streets again to get a feel for the neighborhood and see if anything changed. There was a lot I missed back in November as I had more time, with better sunlight and warm weather to take my time to explore the neighborhood.

I revisited some of the streets that I had walked over the Thanksgiving break and noted all the artwork and architecture that I missed on the first trip walking all the streets of the neighborhood.

I had not seen the mural of Run DMC on the wall of the apartment building on West 12th Street.

The 11 BC Serenity Garden at 626 East 11th Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/11-bc-serenity-garden

https://www.facebook.com/groups/975674166305133

This meticulously designed garden features vibrant floral displays, tranquil pathways, and cozy seating areas, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and reflection. With its blend of nature and artful landscaping, 11 BC Garden invites everyone to enjoy a moment of peace amidst the city’s energy (From MapQuest.com)

The 11 BC Serenity Garden in the late winter months

The Gardens were just coming into bloom when I visited during my last visit. The temperatures were about 75 degrees at the time and things had just started to bloom.

I love the street art on the neighborhood walls. The heart cheered me up!

It is funny how just small painting could make you so happy. Paintings like this were located all over the neighborhood.

The Toyota East Children’s Learning Garden was one of the many gardens open during the warm spell

https://www.nyrp.org/en/gardens-and-parks/toyota-east-childrens-learning-garden

The Toyota East Children’s Learning Garden on a warm

Most of the gardens I visited, most were still coming into bloom. The Toyota East Children’s Garden was opened for about an hour when I visited. The park was quiet at the time while some volunteers were maintaining the gardens.

(History of the Garden from the New York Restoration Project)

In 2007, Toyota provided funding to transform this site from a basic vegetable garden into an outdoor children’s learning experience, commissioning landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh for the design.

To prepare the garden for restoration, New York Restoration Project construction crews performed demolition and grading procedures on the site, cleared debris and garbage and installed various hardscape features. Over the course of six months, NYRP horticulture and design teams worked hand-in-hand with local residents and Van Valkenburgh to realize the community’s vision for this newly renovated gem, which includes four distinct habitat areas that NYRP and New York City educators can use to present environmental education programming to neighborhood youth (NYRP).

While I was walking down East 11th Street, I noticed how much the neighborhood had changed over the years. The whole block was gentrified and looked really nice. What I was amazed by this was how expensive everything was in the neighborhood. As I was walking around the neighborhood, I noticed how expensive the bars and restaurants were around Tompkins Square Park. I thought they would be much cheaper in this part of the neighborhood.

Looking down 11th Street at Avenue A in the Winter. It was 76 degrees during the Spring thaw

After a long walk enjoying the sunshine while revisiting the last blocks I had visited before the holidays, I turned the corner on Avenue A and started to walk the remainder of the neighborhood.

While Alphabet City does not have the classic architecture or statuary of neighborhoods to the north, it’s streets are lined with creative and interesting street art and pocket neighborhood gardens showing the dedication of residents to better their community.

This is what gives the neighborhood its charm and why it has gotten more expensive to live here. I noticed in between all the former tenement buildings, there are plenty of luxury buildings that dot the neighborhood even at the borders of the once notorious Avenue D.

Turning the corner at Avenue A an East 10th Street

I rounded East 10th Street, I noticed this giant Buddha head outside someone’s home in their front garden. I thought this was quite unique.

Passing interesting art in people’s front gardens along East 10th Street

I walked through Tompkins Square Park several times watching the skateboarders performing their feats and college students sunning themselves. It seemed like the whole City had called out sick and just wanted to enjoy the weather in the park.

I walked past the rows of apartment buildings and small businesses and then walked around the park several times to see how people were Lo enjoying their afternoon. I then started my walk down East 9th Street past many more community gardens.

The Francisco ‘Pancho’ Ramos Community Garden at 703 East Ninth Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/francisco-pancho-ramos-community-garden

Home

The History of the Garden:

(from the Ramos Garden website)

The Lower East Side of the 1970s was a hard place with little green. Local residents noticed the abandoned, littered lot at the corner of Ninth Street and Avenue C and began to sow seeds and plants along the chain link and among the debris, and so the Ninth Street Community Garden & Park was founded in 1979. Today Pancho’s Garden hosts community events including music, art, and gardening workshops (Ramos Garden website).

The garden is half an acre of gorgeous flowerbeds, and vegetable gardens. Meandering pathways crisscross the park, follow them to the koi and turtle pond, fig arbor, or one of many quiet nooks that offer a cool quiet spot to read a book, have a chat with a friend, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just sit and enjoy a respite from The City (Ramos Garden website).

The Ramos Garden was open that afternoon to walk around as the gardeners were preparing the beds for the Spring. There was a lot going on around the small beds and gardens that lined the pathways. This garden stretched from East 10th to 9th Streets.

Walking along the pathways of the Ramos Community Garden on a sunny warm day

The artwork in the park

More of the interesting artwork in the garden

The Ramos Community Garden during the Spring Thaw was very active

While I continued my walk down the street, I saw how the neighborhood was reacting to the recent ICE raids going on not just in the City but all over the country. There were signs and graffiti all over Alphabet City and the border with the Lower East Side.

Artworks about ICE dotted the neighborhood

All over the place

As I walked down the street, I came across more street art dotting the walls of buildings around the neighborhood. This mural was with the theme of the Old West and Doc Holliday.

I thought this piece of street art with Doc Holiday and his crew was interesting

The work was created by Artist Joel Chico

Artist Joel Chico

https://www.instagram.com/joelchicoshow/

https://joelchico.com/about

Joel Chico is an Actor, Writer, Director from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is the creator of JMC Creative Endeavors, an artistic platform for his projects as a musician, poet, painter, photographer, and spiritual wisdom keeper. He is currently in the process of writing a poetry anthology, and his Cosmic Trilogy Feature screenplays (Artist bio).

I then rounded the corner and walked down East 9th Street as the weather got warmer. It got to 78 degrees by the mid-afternoon.

Walking down East 9th Street

Tompkins Square Park had gotten even busier in the late afternoon as dog walkers, skateboarders and seniors talking amongst themselves filled the park. It was funny how all the benches were filling up and it looked like everyone had called in sick at work. It was the first really warm day since the beginning of November of 2025 and everyone was enjoying this warm and sunny day.

Walking through Tompkins Square Park during the Spring Break

I stopped in the bathroom at the park, which is a good pit stop being one of the few places where there is a public bathrooms. While I was relaxing, I watched this singer in a Mondrian kimono perform David Bowen hits. I have to admit it was a bit strange but this is Alphabet City and the guy was very entertaining.

Singer from Pinc Louds

https://www.pinclouds.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinc_Louds

(Pinc Louds biography from the band’s website)

Pinc Louds’ lead singer, Claudi (all pronouns accepted), moved from Puerto Rico to NYC in 2015 to fulfill their dream of playing in the subway. This immersion into the city’s underground, performing daily for a steady stream of New Yorkers, sculpted the sound and look of the project (Band website).

Through the “litteral” underground, Claudi met the musicians (keyboard/bassist Marc Mosteirin and drummer Matt Dallal) and other artists that would turn Pinc Louds into the full-blown spectacle they are today. Busking in the parks and tunnels opened many doors for the band, who quickly gained a cult following and by 2018 were selling out shows in such NYC venues as (le) Poisson Rouge, Market Hotel and Joe’s Pub, as well as tours throughout the US, Puerto Rico, Europe and Chile (Band website).

It was an interesting concert

The David Bowie song ‘I just Dancing’

I sat in the park listening to the concert for about a half hour and relaxed through a few songs. I swear, this guy held this concert for over an hour because everytime I walked back through the park, crisscrossing through the various streets, he was still there singing.

I walked back and forth down the various streets, ending at Avenue D and walking through various parts of the complex. Most of public housing was under renovation so I was trying to avoid any scaffolding.

The corner of Avenue D and East 9th Street. How things have changed from the 1970’s and 80’s. The housing projects were under scaffolding around the entire complex. There were changes throughout the Jacob Riis Complex.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riis_Houses

I continued to walk down the street through the series of community gardens peeking through gates when I could.

La Plaza Cultural Armando Perez Community Garden at 674 East 9th Street

https://www.laplazacultural.com

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/la-plaza-cultural-armando-perez

The History of the Garden:

(From the Garden’s website)

La Plaza Cultural de Armando Perez Community Garden was founded in 1976 by local residents and greening activists who took over what was then a series of vacant city lots piled high with rubble and trash. In an effort to improve the neighborhood during a downward trend of arson, drugs, and abandonment common in that era, members of the Latino group CHARAS cleared out truckloads of refuse. Working with Buckminster Fuller, they built a geodesic dome in the open “plaza” and began staging cultural events. Green Guerillas pioneer Liz Christy seeded the turf with “seed bombs” and planted towering weeping willows and linden trees. Artist Gordon Matta-Clark helped construct La Plaza’s amphitheater using railroad ties and materials reclaimed from abandoned buildings (La Plaza website).

Later, block residents tilled the western portion of the space and planted vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees. During the 1980s, the garden came under attack by developers seeking to build on the space. After numerous court battles, La Plaza was finally preserved in 2002 as part of the terms of a legal settlement. In 2003, La Plaza was renamed in memory of Armando Perez, a CHARAS founder and former District Leader of the Lower East Side who was killed in 1999 (La Plaza website).

The Armando Perez Community Garden was one of the larger community gardens in the neighborhood

I walked all through the garden, watching the planting and seeding and cleanup going on. In the two days I visited the neighborhood, almost all the Community Gardens had opened their gates and volunteers could not wait to tackle the damage done by all the recent winter storms.

The inside of the gardens in the winter

Walking through the gardens in the winter

The view of the top of the garden in the winter time

The history and importance of these Community Gardens on these neighborhoods

As I left the Community garden, I walked past a series of interesting and creative pieces of street art along the walls and doors of the various buildings on the block.

A stand pipe with colorful works

I thought this was interesting

This stood out against the wall

I was not sure what this meant

In the late afternoon, I got to Avenue A and St. Mark’s Place (East 8th Street) and walked around the ‘Restaurant Row’ that was going strong between lunch and dinner. The bars were filled with college students from Pace and NYU enjoying the weather and all the outdoor cafes were set up. This was going strong from about 2:00pm until I left the neighborhood around 6:00pm.

Making the turn on St. Marks Street/East 8th Street

As I walked down Avenue A, I took a longer tour of Tompkins Square Park and saw the singer in the Mondrian kimono still singing. This guy put on an all day concert!

The concert was still going on over an hour later

It got even warmer that afternoon and someone said that it topped 75 degrees. I think more people played hooky that afternoon as the park was packed with students gossiping and dog owners watching their pooches play. The look of the park said ‘end of winter’ but the mood was ‘Yeah, Spring is finally here’. (It would go back down into the 30’s by the end of the week).

Tompkins Square Park in the afternoon

It was so nice to get the first glimpse of Spring before the temperatures would drop again at the end of the week.

People socializing in Tompkins Square Park

Whether it was listening to music, playing with their dogs or just reading a book or conversing with neighbors, people from the neighborhood were enjoying the snap of 70 degree weather as much as possible. They enjoyed being outside and wanted to enjoy it as much as possible.

Turning the corner of Avenue A and East 8th Street

The street art along East 9th Street is unique

The De Colores Community Yard & Cultural Center at 313 East 8th Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/de-colores-community-yard-cultural-center

https://www.mapquest.com/us/new-york/de-colores-community-yard-cultural-center-431484984#google_vignette

History of the De Colores Community YardL

De Colores Community Yard & Cultural Center is a vibrant community space located in New York NY. It serves as a hub for cultural activities gardening and educational programs fostering a sense of community and inclusivity. Visitors can enjoy a variety of events workshops and green spaces designed to celebrate diversity and promote environmental awareness (MapQuest.com).

The inside of the Community Garden

The garden was going through a major clean up the day I was there and the volunteers were leaving for the afternoon.

The Earth People Community Garden at 333 East 8th Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/earth-people

https://www.mapquest.com/us/new-york/earth-people-garden-781776646

History of the Garden:

(From Mapquest.com)

Earth People Garden is a serene urban oasis located in New York, NY, designed to celebrate nature and community. This park features lush greenery, vibrant flower beds, and tranquil pathways, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and reflection. Visitors can enjoy various activities, from gardening workshops to community events, all while embracing the harmony between people and the environment (Mapquest.com)

The inside of the Community Garden in the winter

The Earth People Garden like most of the gardens in the neighborhood was closing for the evening as the volunteers were giving the garden a cleaning from the Winter storms. The garden was just starting to come back into bloom.

The La Casita Garden at 339-41 8th Street

https://www.nyrp.org/en/gardens-and-parks/la-casita-community-garden

https://www.mapquest.com/us/new-york/la-casita-garden-424906705

History of the Garden:

(From the New York Restoration website)

LaCasitaCommunity Garden, established in 1990, is primarily used by the community as an event and gathering space. To that end, the garden’s renovation in September 2014 included the installation of a raised, round stage where performances can be held; a new grill and picnic tables for barbecuing; a shaded seating area; and two sheds for storage. The backdrop of the stage is a chalkboard that can be used by the local elementary school for an outdoor classroom or even as a movie projection screen (NY Restoration website).

Funded by generous support from The Geraldine Stutz Trust, the Trust aims to remember Geraldine Stutz’s significant contribution to the fashion industry, her love of theatre as well as her passion for gardening. A fashion retail groundbreaker, Stutz served 29 years as president of Henri Bendel, the upscale women’s store (NY Restoration website).

The inside of the Community Garden

I was able to walk around this garden but there was not much to see at this point. I am going to have to return to the neighborhood in two months when things start growing again.

Street art along East 9th Street

This little devil was in the detail of this work

I thought this was very clever as these small works of art are tucked here and there on walls and doors on buildings all over the block.

The Green Oasis Community/Gilbert’s Garden at 372 East 8th Street

https://www.greenoasisnyc.org

The gardens all over the neighborhood were open as everyone was enjoying the 75 degree weather and were working in these Community Gardens getting ready for the Spring. This garden was particular busy.

The signs were all out and people were enjoying the Spring weather

As the volunteers were cleaning the beds and trimming bushes and trees, I was able to walk around the gardens. They must be very impressive when they are in full bloom. This is one of the larger gardens in the neighborhood.

The History of the Garden:

(From the Green Oasis Community Garden website)

The New York City neighborhood known as the East Village experienced massive arson and destruction during the 1960s and 1970s. The area had been compared to Dresden, Germany after World War II. Rubble from bulldozed buildings lay in mounds, and garbage accumulated. Cars were abandoned. Rats were rampant. Drug use reached epidemic proportions. Drugs and crime made the neighborhood unsafe, but few areas were worse than the neighborhood east of Avenue B (Green Oasis Community Garden website).

The inside of the garden in the winter

Normand Valle moved to East Seventh Street between Avenues C and D. From his window, he looked down upon one of these blighted lots, and decided to do something about it. In 1981, Valle, an ex-Marine, and his life partner, Reinaldo Arana, began to undo the mess one brick and one piece of garbage at a time. At the same time, Gilbert Ingram (who lived nearby on 8th Street) had taken control of another piece of that same large lot, creating a sculpture garden where he carved found wood and stone and hosted friends and neighbors who dropped by for barbecues and sculpting lessons. Both gardens engaged neighborhood children to help with the clean-up and ultimate creation of a combined garden with communal and private vegetable plots; beehives; a grape arbor; a koi pond; dozens of now huge trees, flower beds of perennials and annuals and an iconic gazebo.Thus were Green Oasis and Gilbert’s Sculpture Gardens born (Green Oasis Community Garden website).

The signs outside the gates

From the beginning, the sister gardens’ mission has been to provide a safe, green haven for all people, but especially for the children who lived in that inhospitable environment. Mr. Arana was particularly interested in the theatre, so theatrical events abounded. Plays for children were written and performed. The first generation of Nuyorican poets read poetry; music was performed; the well-known Butterfly Release ceremony was held here during the all-garden pageant The Rites of Spring until its demise in 2006 (Green Oasis Community Garden website).

The beds in the gardens were being prepared for the season

The Fireman’s Garden at 380 East 8th Street

https://www.facebook.com/Firemensgarden

What’s In a Name? The Fireman’s Memorial Garden

The garden pays homage to the memory of Martin R. Celic (1952-1977), a young member of Ladder Company 18 who lost his life fighting a fire in the tenement that once stood here.

The Community Garden in the Winter

The Firemen’s Memorial Garden was closed for the day but I was able to take a peak inside before it got dark. Another garden to revisit in the Spring.

I got a kick out of this written on the wall but was not sure of who it referred to

Turning the corner of East 7th Street and Avenue A

I arrived in the middle of the neighborhood by the early afternoon and continued walking past the statue of Samuel Cox, who was making his presence known for all the neighborhood to see. I just don’t think anyone knew how he was anymore but the pigeons.

The statue of Samuel S. Cox stands guard at the southwest entrance of Tompkins Square Park

https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/tompkins-square-park/monuments/341

Samuel Sullivan Cox

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_S._Cox

Samuel Sullivan “Sunset” Cox was born in Zanesville, Ohio, and served his home state as a Democratic Congressional representative from 1857 to 1865 before being unseated. After moving to New York in 1866, Cox served again in Congress for several terms from 1869 until 1889. Although Cox once publicly declared that his most satisfying contribution to public service was championing the Life Saving Service—founded in the 1840s to patrol the coasts and save imperiled boaters during bad weather, the group was absorbed into the Coast Guard in 1915—this statue is sponsored by U.S. Postal Service workers because of Cox’s support for their quality-of-life issues (NYCParks.org).

Artist Louise Lawson

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louise_Lawson

Louise Lawson

Artist Louise Lawson was an American born artist who studied at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and Cooper Union. She worked as an apprentice under several famous sculptures and was one of the first American female sculptures to have a professional career. She is known for her Neoclassical sculptures (Wiki).

Starting the walk down East 7th Street

I thought this was a beautiful detail on 193 East 7th Street

The Clyde Romero Memorial Garden at 213 East 7th Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/clyde-romero-memorial-garden

https://evgrieve.com/2022/06/celebrating-life-of-longtime-community.html

https://www.lesecologycenter.org/about/history

History of the Garden:

(From the LES Ecology Center website)

When Christine Datz and Clyde Romero met in 1986, they shared a deep passion for the environment and improving their neighborhood. With a people-powered approach to sustainability they launched the Lower East Side Ecology Center in 1987. Six years before New York City implemented a citywide recycling program, the Ecology Center was already leading the way. We established a community drop-off site at the 6th Street and Avenue B Garden, where locals could recycle paper, metal, glass, and plastic (LES website).

By 1990, we leased four city-owned, rubble-filled lots on East 7th Street. These 15,000 square feet became home to one of the city’s first community composting programs. Neighbors dropped off fruit and vegetable scraps, while volunteers collected food waste from health food stores and restaurants (LES website).

Over time, we transformed the lots into an attractive garden, demonstrating how the composting of food waste can improve quality of life and ecology on a community level. Now known as the Clyde Romero Memorial Garden, it is a 6,000 square-foot protected community garden (LES website).

The inside of the gardens in the winter time

The garden like most of the ones I visited that day were still in the stages of late Winter, awaiting Spring to come soon. A lot of work was being done in here.

Admiring the street art that lined East 7th Street

I saw this beautiful butterfly on the side of a school I don’t know why but it really cheered me up.

The butterfly sculpture

Walking down East 7th Street near Avenue D. It tells you how the neighborhood has changed.

I noticed one thing about the neighborhood, as you got to the lower streets there was more newer luxury housing mixed in with the old brownstones and apartment buildings. The streets had that classic ‘New York’ look to them.

The Sam & Sadie Koenig Garden at 237 East 7th Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/sam-sadie-koenig-garden

The Sam & Sadie Koenig Garden in the Winter

This small garden was one of the few that had been really maintained and looked like it had gotten its cleaning done already. The gates were locked in the early afternoon but you could still see through the gates.

As I was walking back to Avenue A, I passed a series of colorful and interesting street art, created by both commercial and street artists. This made the block look like an open air art gallery. There was lots of interesting street art to admire and try to interpret. There are some talented artists in the neighborhood.

The street art along East 7th Street

Then I returned to Avenue A and I saw this

‘Jazz on 7th Street’ mural

‘Jazz on 7th Street’ mural

‘Meko’ /TCK Crew Mural

https://michimeko.com

https://marianeibrahim.com/artists/111-michi-meko

Michi Meko is an American born artist whose work spans painting, sculpture, and installation, activating spray paint and found objects to create layered compositions. His gestures reflect an interplay between beauty and violence, rebellion and reflection, and past and future. Meko’s art interrogates themes of identity and resilience by offering an exploration of light, texture, and form (Mariane Ibrahim Gallery website).

https://www.brooklynstreetart.com/tag/tck-crew

The term TCK in the context of the Lower East Side most frequently refers to the TCK Crew, a prolific graffiti and street art collective. While the crew is widely known for their work in Berlin. The TCK Crew is primarily recognized for “non-stop train” graffiti and raw, urban style writing (Brooklyn Street Art website)

https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=%2Fmichimeko%2F&source=omni_redirect

‘The Joe Strummer’ mural by artist Dr. Reul

(I could not find any information on the artist)

I finally reached East 6th Street by the late afternoon and it got hotter outside. It got to 75 degrees on the Monday of my Spring Break and I was tempted to wear shorts the next day. It was so weird in that it was 36 degrees the week before. This weather was a result of the annual Spring Thaw and God knows we needed it.

The corner of East 6th Street and Avenue A

As I rounded East 6th Street, I saw this beautiful mural on the side of a restaurant but I could not find any artist name on the painting. It is a nice painting and I thought it was a nice compliment to the building.

The street art the lined the side of a restaurant on the corner of Avenue A and East 6th Street

As I walked down East 6th Street, it was a whirlwind of street art and tagging. Some the most unique art filled the walls, doorways and stairs of many of the buildings, especially the store fronts that stood empty. The neighborhood is still going through that transition but you are reminded there is still a creative vibe here.

The interesting street graffiti on the doors of buildings

This was on a garbage can cover

This tagging was on one of the doors

This was along one of the walls

The I passed 630 East 6th Street which stood out among the small buildings in the area. This is the former Pencer House Building that was built in 1900. It is a now a rental building (Street Easy.com).

The building was originally one of the Children’s Aid Society’s schools, donated by Emily Sloane Vanderbilt, the granddaughter of the Commadore. the Society turned to the architectural firm of Vaux & Radford, which would eventually design 12 Children’s Aid Society projects.Calvert Vaux, best known for his work in designing Central Park, had partnered with George Kent Radford in 1872.The Sixth Street School building would follow the same lines as their other Children’s Aid Society buildings—a blend of Victorian Gothic and Flemish Revival styles (DaytonianinManhattan.com).

630 East 6th Street

https://www.apartments.com/pencer-house-new-york-ny/5bbr8mn

https://daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-sixth-street-school-no-630-634-east.html#google_vignette

The beautiful architecture really stands out among the other buildings on the block. The building has now been fully renovated and the outside restored. As I walked further down the street, more community gardens were tucked here and there on the block.

6BC Botanical Garden at 624 East 7th Street

https://www.6bcgarden.org

https://www.facebook.com/6BCGarden

The History of the Garden:

(From the 6BC Botanical Garden website)

The 6BC Garden on East 6th Street between Avenues B and C more than lives up to the standards of its neighborhood. Founded in 1981, the garden began as a traditional organization – its members maintained their own plots while contributing to community spaces. A shift in leadership and the decision to incorporate, led to changes in 1995 (6BC Garden website).

6BC became an official botanical garden, the first and only one in Manhattan devoted to bio-diversity, horticultural education, neighborhood beautification, and community programming. 6BC was assigned to parks in 1999, a move that safeguards the land’s status as a green space while leaving administration, leadership and maintenance of the garden in the hands of its members (6BC Garden website).

The 6B Botanical Garden in the Winter

I was able to take a quick walk around the garden before the volunteers called it an afternoon. I really liked the paths of plants and artwork. Another place to visit in the Spring.

Walking down East 6th Street

I liked the classic look of East 6th Street. It is so classic ‘Old New York” with new stores and restaurants opening all over the place.

Creative Little Garden at 530 East 6th Street

https://www.creativelittlegarden.com

History of the Garden:

(From the Creative Little Garden website)

Our garden began as this tenement building at 530 East 6th St. It’s the building in this circa 1940 photo with the stairway and the truck parked in front. Through the 50’s and early 60’s several buildings on this block became abandoned. Some were renovated, some homesteaded and a few were totally demolished. The building that occupied our site burned in the early 70’s and was demolished soon thereafter. Immediately following, the land was marked for a community garden and in 1978 opened as the Creative Little Garden (Creative Little Garden website).

In the early 80’s Françoise Cachelin started the garden and under her leadership the lot was leased to the Parks Department and Greenthumb. She was an outspoken and staunch supporter of individual and community rights, and without her our garden would not be here today. Françoise passed away in 2003, but we continue to take inspiration from this former member of the French Resistance and spirited advocate for the rights of downtown residents (Creative Little Garden website).

The Creative Little Garden in the Winter

The garden’s gates were open but I didn’t see anyone. I ventured in to look around. I liked the organized beds and places to sit. This will be a fun place to visit when the weather gets warmer.

Walking through the Creative Little Garden in the Winter time

What I liked about this garden was the contemporary artwork that lined the walls. I thought this was really interesting.

Artwork in the Garden

I also liked the way it was landscaped. I liked the paths and rock gardens. The trees and bushes were awaiting the warmer weather to fully bloom.

The garden is so nicely designed and fun to walk through in the Winter

I rounded East 5th waiting to see what interesting things I would find on this block. It was early evening as the sun started to go down. Daylight Savings time had started and it was still light out around 7:00pm. I was also getting tired. I walked down the first two blocks before I called it quits. I passed a series of community gardens dotted the block.

The Sage Garden Community Garden at 281 East 4th Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/sage-s-garden

https://www.facebook.com/SagesGardenLoisaida

History of the Garden:

(From Mapquest.com)

The Sage Community Garden is a vibrant green space nestled in New York, NY, offering a peaceful retreat amidst the bustling city. This community-driven garden is dedicated to fostering collaboration and sustainability, where local residents come together to cultivate various plants, flowers, and vegetables. With its colorful blooms and lush greenery, the garden provides a welcoming environment for relaxation, learning, and community gatherings (Mapquest.com).

The Sage Community Garden in the Winter

The Sage Garden was closed for the evening that I was there but I was able to peek through the fence and see what was going on.

The Secret Garden at 293 East 4th Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/secret-garden

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheLowerEastSide/posts/10161103961094719

I quit around 6:30pm. I was exhausted and out of shape because of the Winter of not walking around. The last traces of snow were melting during the first real day of the thaw and I decided to head down to Chinatown for dinner and continue the next morning. It was going to be in the high 70’s and a perfect day for the walk. Chinatown was busy for a Monday as people had the same idea that I had about being outside. I knew where I was heading for lunch.

Mott Street in Chinatown in the early evening on a 70 degree evening

I decided to return to North Dumpling at 23 Division Street for an early evening snack. I ordered their delicious homemade Wonton Soup and an order of their Steamed Pork and Chive Dumplings. This has become my new ‘to go’ place. I love both the food and the prices.

Dinner that evening at North Dumpling at 23 Division Street

http://www.china-north-dumpling.com/

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60763-d33013722-r1052661645-North_Dumplings-New_York_City_New_York.html?m=19905

My review on DiningonaShoeStringinNYC@Wordpress.com:

North Dumpling 21 Division Street New York, NY 10002

My early dinner hit the spot as the soup really warmed me up and had a rich chicken taste. The homemade wontons were light as air.

The homemade Wonton Soup at North Dumpling

The Steamed Pork and Chive Dumplings are made right in front of you behind the front counter

After dinner, I stopped at a new bakery on Division Street that I had not noticed before on Division Street, Cardio Bakery at 51 Division Street. I just needed something sweet to complete the meal. I settled on a moist and chewy sugar doughnut. I loved the selection of baked goods here and plan on returning soon.

Cardio Bakery at 51 Division Street

https://www.ubereats.com/store/cardio-bakery/2HyRAyjuXBGEen_t9TAsxA?srsltid=AfmBOorRfDonU8pNRK3amNK9-MbrQ502OAGfXbe1-Sl6GiMo5vIICZOS

https://www.mapquest.com/us/new-york/cardio-bakery-791996917

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Profile/R4960NKjustinw/mediabatch/14212903?m=19905

My review on DiningonaShoeStringinNYC@Wordpress.com:

The selection at Cardio Bakery in the early evening

I needed something sweet after dinner and I didn’t want to walk to the other side of the neighborhood to some of my favorite bakeries. That is until I walked down the block from the restaurant and came across Cardio Bakery. It must have just opened because I had not noticed it before. There was so much to choose from but I was still stuffed from dinner so I settled on a sugar doughnut. It was an excellent choice.

My selection, a sugar doughnut

Yum!

After a whole afternoon of looking at street art all over Alphabet City, I walked around Chinatown and admired the street art in Chinatown. These are some of my favorite ones that I saw as I enjoyed my dessert. There are so many talented taggers in the neighborhood.

This was on one of the doors

I thought this was unique

I took the subway home that evening. I had not realized how out of shape I was after a winter of not walking around. I shoveled plenty of snow but not done much walking. The moment I sat down, I stiffened up and it was a long walk through the Port Authority.

I felt much better Tuesday morning and it really warmed up and the weather topped 78 degrees and sunny that day. I was off and running early to get back in the City and enjoy the sunshine while finishing walking the neighborhood. I started where I left off.

Finally making it to East 5th Street

I had walked all of East 5th Street the night before which is an unusual block because they built an elementary school at Avenue B that cuts one part of the neighborhood from the other. Then a series of low rise public housing was built that surrounds the back of the school. So you have to walk a combination of both East 5th and East 4th Streets.

Walking down East 5th Street on a sunny, warm morning

Passing the Secret Garden at 293 East 4th Street as I had to walk around East 4th Street to get to the extension of East 5th Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/secret-garden

I start the second day of my walk back at the Secret Garden which was closed for the day but I could again peek through the fencing. Spring had not come to the garden but it will soon.

The Secret Garden in the Winter

You have to walk around the Lower East Side II complex to complete the neighborhood. This is built around M 364 The Earth School.

Walking around the Lower East Side II housing behind the M364 School

https://nycharealtalk.org/lots/5643

Click to access Lower%20East%20Side%20II.pdf

The Lower East Side Housing complex on East 5th Street

Some of the Disney themed street art along the walls of a local store beside the door

The work continued on the other side of the door

After I rounded the housing on East 5th Street, I continued down the street to Avenue D. There was even more murals and street art to see.

A mural on the corner of East 5th Street and Avenue C by artist King Bee UW

Artist King Bee UW

The Royal ‘Kingbee’

https://kingbeenyc.com/

https://www.facebook.com/kingbeeuw/

Alfredo Bennett, professionally known as The Royal “Kingbee” is a NYC artist. He was born in Harlem and raised in The Bronx in the early 70’s. He began his career painting graffiti on walls until gathering recognition and eventually being commissioned to perform his artistic abilities all throughout the city of New York. The artist went to JF Kennedy High School in the Bronx (BX 200 Artist.com).

The art was not just limited to the murals that looked more professionally done. The taggers showed their creativity on the closed gates of the businesses and the walls of the buildings around the Avenue.

The Garden of the Humanities at 270-272 East 4th Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/garden-of-the-humanitarians

https://www.mapquest.com/us/new-york/generation-x-cultural-garden-369331978

The History of the Garden:

(From Mapquest.com)

The Generation X Cultural Garden, located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, is a community garden that was founded in 1971. The garden features Geoblock paving for all-ability access, a masonry retaining wall for additional planting areas, and a mini urban orchard with nectarine, pear, peach, and apple trees. The garden also hosts cultural programming related to the Latino community and collaborates with Greenmarket farmers, Youth market displays, and TAiNO arts and crafts (Mapquest.com).

The garden in the winter time

The snow was still melting in the back of the garden as temperatures hit about 80 degrees that day.

The ‘Success’ mural in the schoolyard

I was not about to get close enough to see how the artist was on this interesting mural at the track at PS 15.

Admiring the street art on East 5th Street

It was a return and straight run down East 4th Street, having just covered most of it walking around the elementary school. The weather at this point had just hit 78 degrees, making it very pleasant to walk around without a jacket on. Mother Nature was tricking us with this early Spring weather during the Spring Thaw but with the number of people hanging out in Tompkins Square Park, it looked like most of the neighborhood was playing ‘hooky’ from work.

Turning the corner at East 4th Street

East 4th Street like most of the neighborhood was like an open air museum. There was a lot of interesting street art to see.

The interesting street art along the wall at East 4th Street

The Memorial Murals along East 4th Street

(I could not find the artist on this piece)

The Memorial Murals along East 4th Street

(I could not find the artist on this mural)

The back of the El Jardin Del Paraiso Community Garden at 710 East 5th Street

https://eljardindelparaiso.org

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/el-jardin-del-paraiso

History of the Garden:

(From the El Jardin Del Paraiso Community Garden website)

The stage is set for the reemergence of community gardens during this time due to three factors: a large influx of immigrants, predominantly from agrarian cultures; the movement of many city-dwellers to the suburbs; and the deactivation of many fire houses due to dwindling city budgets. The result of the is a dramatic increase in burned-out vacant lots. These empty lots become the territory of drug dealers and the dumping grounds for rubble and toxic wastes and yet they bring a new openness to this area of Manhattan (El Jardin website).

Two movements worked to bring green spaces to the neighborhood of the Lower East Side: the homesteading and the gardening movements. Homesteaders work to rehabilitate buildings. Gardeners removed the rubble and turn the soil, reclaiming the vacant lots. El Jardín del Paraíso is founded by these two groups who were inspired by the idea that the space was large enough to be a park and a community garden.1973 — Liz Christy founds the Green Guerillas, a grass-roots organization dedicated to aiding neighborhoods and providing guidance and education in the of new community gardens. The organization recognizes the need for city involvement and lobbies for formal recognition. It is believed that Liz planted El Jardín del Paraíso’s existing two Weeping Willow trees (El Jardin website).

Walking along a very gentrified stretch of Alphabet City along East 4th Street

I came across the very colorful mural on the side of Public School 15 at 333 East 4th Street. I thought this was really interesting and I bet no one really notices it.

The mural in the front of Public School 15

https://www.ps15.org

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/schools/M015

This was all done in tiles and I thought this was very interesting. The only thing I could find out about it was it was created in the early 1980’s by some local artists.

Reaching the edge of the neighborhood at Avenue D. I could not believe how this neighborhood has changed in thirty years.

Walking down the street, I could not believe how many luxury condos have been built on the side streets of the neighborhood about a block from the housing projects. How things have changed in this neighborhood since the first time I walked in it in 1994. There have been so many improvements in the last twenty years.

The Orchard Alley Community Garden at 350 East 4th Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/orchard-alley

https://www.facebook.com/orchardalleycommunitygarden

https://www.mapquest.com/us/new-york/orchard-alley-423971471

History of the Garden:

(From Mapquest.com)

Orchard Alley is a quaint establishment nestled in the heart of New York City, offering a unique blend of artisanal goods and services. With a focus on community engagement and sustainability, Orchard Alley provides a welcoming space for individuals to connect, create, and explore (Mapquest.com).

The inside of the garden in the winter

The Orchard Ally Community Garden was also closed that day but I could see it from the fence and see the work going on in the garden. The next garden I passed was the Parque de Tranquilidad Garden at 314-318 East 4th Street. It was also locked that afternoon but I could see the garden through the gates.

The Parque de Tranquilidad Community Garden at 314-318 East 4th Street

https://parquedetranquilidad.org/history

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/parque-de-tranquilidad

Parque de Tranquilidad

History of the Garden:

(From the Parque de Tranquilidad Community Garden website)

The garden was started in 1979 when neighbors cleared out the lots and started the garden by planting vegetables and flowers. Parque de Tranqilidad was purchased together with other sixty three gardens city wide by the Trust for Public Land. In 2004 it became one of the fourteen gardens when The Manhattan Land Trust was founded. Garden Members take care of this little park all year long.

The inside of the garden

You could see the coming of Spring through the fencing.

I have seen this artist’s work all over the City

I saw this interesting mural along East 4th Street by Avenue A “Teach One Teach One”

I loved the details on the mural

Another look at the mural

I could not find the artist for this work but I thought it was one of the best murals that I had seen on my walk in Alphabet City. I loved the vibrance of the colors.

It looked a fairy peeking through of the woods

Rounding the East 3rd Street at the end of the day

Walking down East 3rd Street

East 3rd Street is the last full block of the neighborhood with just part of East 2nd Street extending into the neighborhood. The Los Amigos Community Garden at 221 East 3rd Street was also closed for the afternoon but I could see it through the fence.

The Los Amigos Community Garden at 221 East Third Street

https://www.mapquest.com/us/new-york/los-amigos-garden-371279969

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/los-amigos

https://www.earthcelebrations.com/gardens/3bc_2.html

History of the Garden:

(From Mapquest.com)

The American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) is dedicated to the promotion and support of community gardening efforts across the United States. With a focus on networking, education, and resource sharing, the ACGA serves as a vital hub for community gardeners and leaders, fostering resilience and collaboration within urban ecosystems (Mapquest.com).

The Los Amigos inside

It looked like people had been working that afternoon. This was the same with the Brisas Del Caribe Community Garden at 237 East 3rd Street. It was locked in the later afternoon.

The Brisas Del Caribe Community Garden at 237 East 3rd Street

https://www.earthcelebrations.com/gardens/3bc_1.html

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/brisas-del-caribe

https://www.mapquest.com/us/new-york/brisas-del-caribe-garden-449717716

History of the Garden:

(From the Earth Celebrations website)

The Brises del Caribe Garden is a 90 x 24 plot of land located at 237 East 3rd Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. In 1986 this land was an abandoned city owned lot inhabited by rats, drug addicts and dealers, and strewn with refuse and toxic wastes. The garden was born thanks to the efforts of Mary and Angel Aponte, a neighborhood couple, who cleared out the garbage and told the addicts to go elsewhere (Earth Celebrations website).

The community group Green Guerrillas gave a lot of assistance to the Apontes in the beginning. In addition, they received many letters and petitions of support from the community board, the Church and other local community groups. When Operation Green Thumb and the City saw what had been accomplished in the garden, they agreed to a year-to-year lease for the Apontes, claiming it could only be year-to-year because the City might decided to sell the land (Earth Celebrates website).

The gardens in the early Spring

The garden was closed for the day when I walked the neighborhood as was the All People’s Garden at 293 East 3rd Street. Most of these gardens would be open in late April and early May when things would be blooming again.

The All People’s Garden Community Garden at 293 East Third Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/all-people-s-garden-inc

https://allpeoplesgarden.org

The gardens in the early Spring

The History of the Garden:

(From the All People’s Garden Inc. website)

All People’s Garden Inc. was created as a not for profit organization in 1978 by former VISTA volunteer Olean Cowart For a community organizer who work with the neighborhood community development organization known as Interfaith Adopt-A- Building, Inc. The garden was fashion out of a vacant site owned by the City of New York, and was strewn with discarded rubbish. With the help of the community and other volunteers, slowly remove the debris and create the beginning of a community garden space (All People’s Garden Inc. website).

In 1979 with the support of the Council on The Environment of the City of New York (now known as GROWNYC), a plan to open the garden for community use was also supported by the then Mayor Ed Koch and Ms. Liz Chrystie the pioneer for the first community garden on East Houston Street and the Bowery. All People’s Garden is the first Grow NYC’s PLANT-A-LOT garden in New York City. At the opening Mayor Ed Koch with Liz Chrystie plant a ceremonial Rose Bush. The ceremony was conducted to symbolize the working coordination of the City of New York in the beginning of the redevelopment of the Lower East side community open space and housing (All People’s Garden Inc. website).

Street art along East 3rd Street

I continued my walk down East 3rd Street admiring all the street art. There were so many interesting pieces to see all over the block. Just look at all the walls as you past the buildings.

Walking down East 3rd Street

Street Art along the walls

Street art along East 3rd Street

Street art on the street on East 3rd Street

The Kenkeleba House Garden at 212 East 3rd Street

https://www.kenkeleba.org

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/kenkeleba-memory-garden

The History of the Kenkeleba House and Gardens:

(From the Kenkeleba House website)

Kenkeleba House was founded in 1974 by Joe Overstreet, Corrine Jennings and Samuel C. Floyd to support African American culture. Kenkeleba began its work on The Bowery near Delancey in New York City with experimental projects to assist African American, Caribbean,and African artists in developing and documenting their work. Early projects included exhibitions and experiments with poetry, music, visual arts, workshops in dance, theater, children’s programs and African markets. The name, Kenkeleba is derived from that of the Seh-Haw plant grown in West Africa, and known for its spiritual, nutritional and healing values (Kenkeleba House website).

The inside of the garden

The garden was also closed that afternoon but I could see the artwork in the garden.

When I stopped to get a Coke at a deli around the corner, I saw this mural of the Ramones that I thought was so cool. I know that they had played clubs around here so it was the perfect honor for the singing group now that most have them have passed away.

The Ramones painting on a side street

(I could not find the artist on this work)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramones

https://www.ramones.com

My favorite song of the Ramones “I wanna be Sedated”

I walked back down East 3rd Street looking at all the art along the walls.

This interesting painting on the wall on East 3rd Street by Artist Solus

https://www.solusstreetart.com

https://www.facebook.com/solusart

Ireland born artist Solus found creativity key to keep him inspired and on the right track. Embracing natural talent and keen eye using spray paint as his main medium, leaving his mark in Europe, America, and Asia on walls, canvas and sculpture. He has exhibited in various international solo shows in America, Canada, and Paris (Artist Bio).

The artist Solus

I passed even more community gardens along East 3rd Street, most of the closed during the day. Like of other gardens, some volunteers were cleaning out the gardens and preparing the beds for seeding.

The Miracle Garden at 194-196 3rd Street

The Miracle Garden at 194-196 3rd Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/miracle-garden

https://www.mapquest.com/us/new-york/miracle-garden-365163901

History of the Garden:

(From Mapquest.com)

Miracle Garden is a unique establishment in New York, NY that offers a serene and enchanting environment for visitors to explore. With its diverse collection of flora and carefully curated landscapes, Miracle Garden provides a peaceful retreat for individuals seeking a moment of tranquility amidst the bustling city (Mapquest.com).

The inside of the garden in the early Spring

The Miracle Garden was being cleaned during my walk in the neighborhood.

Walking down East 3rd Street near Avenue A

Street art by Avenue A

(I could not find the artist to this work or it may be multiple artists)

Walking down East 2nd Street

I finally got down to the last street of the neighborhood, the extension of East 2nd Street. I was tired by the time I got to this last block.

Walking down East 2nd Street

Walking down my last block in Alphabet City, East 2nd Street. This block borders Little Italy, Chinatown, the Bowery and the Lower East Side once you cross Houston Street.

One of the street murals on East 2nd Street

The Kenkeleba House Garden at 212 East Third Street on the back side of the gardens

The garden facing East 2nd Street in the early Spring

I then passed the neighborhood firehouse and its memorial to my fellow Brothers who died on 9/11. This was very touching and still pretty raw to me.

Engine 26/Ladder 11 on East 11th Street

https://www.fdnytrucks.com/files/html/manhattan/e28.htm

https://www.mapquest.com/us/new-york/fdny-engine-28-ladder-11-448512367

The one thing I admired was the dedication to the brave members who lives were lost on that tragic day. I was not sure who the artist was on this work but I think it was firefighter Michael “Mikey” Borriello, who is also the resident artist at Engine 28, Ladder 11. He has created art all over the firehouse.

Their touching tribute to their fallen brothers on 9/11

https://evgrieve.com/2025/07/fdny-firefighter-brings-artistic-touch.html

This is a reminder to never forget that tragic day and the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

The Peach Tree Garden at 236 East Second Street

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/peach-tree-garden

https://www.mapquest.com/us/new-york/peach-tree-garden-377299475

History of the Garden:

(From Mapquest.org)

Peach Tree Garden is a quaint and charming establishment nestled in the heart of New York City. Specializing in providing a serene and peaceful environment for guests to relax and unwind (Mapquest.com).

The garden in the early Spring

This was one of the few community gardens that looked like it was ready to start blooming.

Looking down Avenue D at East 2nd Street. How things have changed since the 1970’s and 80’s

I finally made it to the edge of Alphabet City. This is looking up Avenue D from East 2nd Street and the edge of East Houston Street.

Walking down the tiny section of East 2nd Street

The park lining East 2nd Street was still in Winter mood when I passed it in March. It was in full bloom when I was walking the Avenues back in August so it was nice to see the contrasts in the seasons.

262 East 2nd Street was one of the more distinct buildings in the neighborhood

https://www.zillow.com/b/262-e-2nd-st-new-york-ny-CkBGyR

https://streeteasy.com/building/14-avenue-c-new_york/2e?utm_campaign=rental_listing&utm_medium=share&utm_source=web&lstt=J33TIKbngJgzMWGGCjCXOuHW40hGaFHwvZrQKeuPFLJ3sx6LFYusPDrWJ3TQ2GkB9BzUOuH0P786vJYG

One of the few buildings that stood out in the neighborhood among the low rise tenement buildings, brownstones and new luxury building was 262 East 2nd Street with its elegant embellishments and faces staring back at you. I had not seen this since I left the Flatiron District a year ago. You have to look up to see all the beautiful stonework. This unique looking building was built in 1920 and recently was converted to luxury condos (Streeteasy.com).

The detail work the windows all around the building

I wrapped up the visit to the neighborhood by walking the very edges of the area, seeing the locked gates of the community gardens and an abundance of street art.

Le Petit Versailles Garden at 247 East 2nd Street

https://www.alliedproductions.org/about-the-garden

https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer/group/le-petit-versailles-garden

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Petit_Versailles

History of the Garden:

(From Wiki)

It was established in 1996 by artists Peter Cramer and Jack Waters, who wanted to create a queer public space in the city. Peter Cramer and Jack Waters had been artistic collaborators in New York since the 1980s. They became co-directors of ABC No Rio space after curating an art exhibition there together and both joined theVisual AIDScollective. The garden site on 2nd Street had been an auto chop shop before that was demolished. Cramer and Waters built the garden together, in 1996 (Wiki.org).

The inside of the garden

The garden was being prepared for the Spring and I was able to sneak a peek inside to see some of the artwork that was pretty interesting. It will be cool to see it when it is in full bloom and get to see some of the other art up close.

The artwork around the fencing

Walking down the block was lined with all sorts of metal works and murals heading back towards Avenue A and the heart of the East Village. Various artists works boldly displayed on the walls of businesses and buildings. Unique works that stood out.

The metal work on one the buildings

Artwork on the sidewalk

The mural on the corner of East 2nd Street and Avenue A

The artist Slim Storm

(I could not find any information on the artist)

The Heart of NYC

The artist Bio TATS Cru

Wilfredo “Bio” Feliciano is also a founding member of the world famous art collective known as Tats Cru “The Mural Kings” originally known as TAT Cru founded by Brim, Mack and Bio in the eighties.

Wilfredo “Bio” Feliciano’s work has been featured in many publications, movies, music videos and documentaries throughout his career. He has also painted in numerous countries over the past 30 years, invited by different organizations. Bio has collaborated with many of the top graffiti artists in the world from past to present day. He has also lectured at M.I.T. and various universities in the United States.

https://www.facebook.com/biotats

Bio

‘Nicer’

‘The Adventures of Johnny Pump’

The Bio TATS Cru works

I finally finished walking the entire Alphabet City neighborhood around 5:00pm. It had been a long but productive two days. I could not believe the number of community gardens in the neighborhood. I was lucky it had been warm out so I got to see many of them but will have to revisit when everything comes into bloom. Right now they still hold tight to the end of Winter but I have seen in the neighborhood in August when everything is green.

For dinner that evening, I went to Two Boots Pizzeria, where I had not eaten in a decade. I went there years ago with my best friend when the neighborhood was a bit more scratchy. This is a neighborhood institution and the pizza was still wonderful. (I just read though that the original location will be closing on May 26th, 2026 after an agreement on the rent with the landlord fell through and the owner will be moving to a new location soon).

Two Boots Pizzeria at 42 Avenue A. This is its original location of the current chain of pizzerias. (It will be closing on May 26th, 2026).

https://www.facebook.com/twobootspizza

East Village

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60763-d33231065-r1052618003-Two_Boots_East_Village-New_York_City_New_York.html?m=19905

The inside of Two Boots

I forgot how funky this place looked inside. One thing I remember was how good the pizza was and the selection of pizzas they had available that evening were rather interesting.

The pizza selection in the case

I looked through the case at the different toppings of pizza and I eyed the Cajun slice which was topped with gumbo ingredients items such as spicy sausage and shrimp. The pizza has a brown sauce instead of the traditional red tomato sauce. It was out of this world! I never had such a unique slice than this.

Finally able to sit down and relax

A slice of Cajun Pizza with a Coke

I chose a slice of Cajun pizza with sauteed shrimp and andouille sausage with Cajun seasonings. It had the most amazing flavor and one of the best slices of pizza I had had in a long time.

The Cajun Pizza was amazing and so full of flavor

Yum!

I had an interesting time in Alphabet City. It reminded me of how much the City has changed in thirty years. It never looked so good. Was that good for a neighborhood with such a storied past? It shows how the City just keeps changing.

While the neighborhood is much cleaned up since I remember it in the 1990’s, it still retains that funky independent vibe to it . Let’s see what happens in the future in an ever changing City as the tentacles of NYU keep stretching over this neighborhood. Will they adapt to it or will the neighborhood adapt to them? Just like every other neighborhood in Manhattan, I will just keep walking.