Early Street Community Garden

In 2009, several Morristown gardeners founded the nonprofit Grow It Green Morristown (GIGM) and created a community garden on a 1-acre vacant lot. The garden attracted a diverse, multigenerational group of gardeners and became a vibrant community green space. In addition to offering garden plots, GIGM hosts regular public events at the garden, including potluck meals, live music, beekeeping classes, and children’s programs. The property was in the town’s redevelopment district and had been slated for a multistory residential building. When gardeners and local officials discussed the idea of purchasing the land for conversion into a public garden, residents rallied and showed their support with letters and testimonials.

In June 2013, Trust for Public Land helped the town of Morristown purchase the garden, which is now known as Early Street Community Garden. GIGM continues to manage it, and added a colorful public seating area, while spicing up the space with creative landscape designs and adornments. Future enhancements will include a rain garden and a walking path connecting the garden to St. Margaret’s Church.