Attendees at the Growing Garfield dinner choose features they’d like to see in their neighborhood.

The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, in partnership with Grounded Strategies, recently hosted Growing Garfield: A Community Dinner, a neighborhood gathering that brought residents together to share a meal, exchange ideas, and envision the future of vacant land in Garfield. The event combined thoughtful presentations on past and current planning efforts with small-group discussions that invited honest dialogue, collaborative brainstorming, and community-driven solutions. Attendees described the evening as both productive and inspiring, filled with meaningful connections and candid conversations about Garfield’s challenges and opportunities.
Central to these discussions was the role of green spaces in strengthening the neighborhood. The Kincaid Street Community Garden, already a cornerstone of community life, was highlighted as a model for what can be achieved when residents come together. With a mission to foster sustainable gardening, provide access to healthy food, and create an inclusive environment for learning and stewardship, the garden has become a living example of how vacant land can be transformed into a community asset.
In an effort to expand this work, The Garfield Greenzone, facilitated by The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, is seeking 20 new community stewards. These stewards will be responsible for helping to maintain the space, organize activities, and ensure that the garden continues to thrive as a shared resource for the Garfield neighborhood.
Community stewardship has long been recognized as a powerful tool for neighborhood transformation. When residents take an active role in shaping their environment, they not only improve physical spaces but also strengthen social ties, increase civic engagement, and create a shared sense of ownership. Stewardship initiatives often lead to reduced blight, safer streets, healthier food options, and greater intergenerational learning opportunities. In Garfield, the commitment of local stewards has the potential to turn vacant lots into vibrant spaces for growth, gathering, and resilience—laying the groundwork for lasting community change.
Events like Growing Garfield demonstrate the power of collective visioning. By engaging residents of all ages in open conversation and planning, Garfield is laying the foundation for a greener, healthier, and more connected future.
Please reach out to kuwame@bloomfield-garfield.org if you are interested in becoming a Community Steward.