$2.15 Million State Grant to Create Waterfront Botanical Garden in the Bronx
A $2.15 million New York State grant will support the acquisition and transformation of a privately owned waterfront property in Throggs Neck into a public botanical garden, expanding green space and recreational opportunities in the Bronx.
The funding, awarded through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Open Space Conservation Grants program, will enable Open Space Initiatives (OSI) to purchase a half-acre property at 2670 Schurz Avenue, between Davis and Buttrick avenues, along the East River.
Of the total funding, approximately $2.05 million will go toward acquiring the property, with an additional $100,000 designated for site preparation and security improvements.
Following the acquisition, OSI plans to transfer ownership to the Bronx Land Trust, a nonprofit organization that currently oversees 18 community gardens throughout the borough. The transfer is anticipated by April 2027.
Plans for the property include a botanical garden featuring landscaped green spaces, raised planting beds, a children’s garden, a rose garden and areas designed to attract pollinators. The site would also provide waterfront views of the Whitestone and Throgs Neck bridges.
Community members will have opportunities to provide input on the garden’s final design. The project has received support from local elected officials, Bronx Community Board 10, the Throggs Neck Homeowners Association and other neighborhood stakeholders.
The grant is part of more than $25 million awarded by New York State to 14 open space conservation projects. The initiative supports land preservation, environmental protection and improved public access to natural spaces.
The proposed botanical garden represents an investment in the Bronx waterfront and the continued enhancement of neighborhood amenities, contributing to broader efforts to improve community spaces and quality of life.
Source: Bronx Times, October 27, 2026
