In 1981 a group of neighborhood gardeners, forced to relocate when displaced from their garden by development, received approval from Community Board 2 to create a garden on a neglected strip of land on LaGuardia Place.

In 1982, after a fence was completed, the gardeners divided the site into individual plots; sifted the soil, separating out the rubble; built a shed; and put in the first plants.   In 1983 the boards separating the plots, the perimeter path, and the above-ground water system were completed.   By 1985 the permanent water service was connected.