City Green Begins Inclusive Healthy Communities Project to Increase Access for the Disabled

On December 2nd, City Green held a groundbreaking ceremony at their Farm Eco-Center in Clifton to celebrate construction on the "Gardens for All" Inclusive Healthy Communities project that intends to improve access for people with disabilities.

City Green Executive Director Jennifer Papa was joined by Mayor of Clifton James Anzaldi,  Clifton Recreation Supervisor Debbie Oliver and Passaic County Commissioner Director Pat Lepore at the ground breaking.

During the ceremony, Jennifer Papa said, “For 10 years City Green has been developing this former Schultheis Farm property into a hub of education, recreation, and agriculture. And now with support from the Inclusive Healthy Communities grant from the state of New Jersey’s Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Disability Services we are able to ensure that these spaces are accessible for all. This is a historic investment by the state of New Jersey in the City of Clifton.”

When completed, the project will equip the Farm Eco-Center with accessible surfaces, pathways, and garden beds, and inclusive features including shaded areas, adaptable tools and educational materials. It will also improve accessibility at five of City Green’s community garden partner sites that serve senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. City Green’s  partner gardens will be upgraded with wider pathways, wheelchair-accessible garden beds, and adaptive garden tools.

This initiative was funded by an Inclusive Healthy Communities Grant from the Division of Disability Services, New Jersey Department of Human Services.

 “Through this project, we’re able to show how nonprofits and governments can work together to get things done.  We’re just so thrilled about all the work City Green Executive Director Jennifer Papa and her team do,” said Passaic County Commissioner Director Pat Lepore.

Funding from the Inclusive Healthy Communities Grant Program will allow City Green and the City of Clifton to further promote inclusive practices that support the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities.  When completed in 2022, this will be a model for the permanent and sustainable changes that can be implemented to ensure that individuals with disabilities have full access to opportunities that support community health and well-being.

City Green is a 501(c)3 urban farming and gardening organization, based in Clifton,  that works  to revitalize urban areas through agriculture and educational programming. For more information contact Jasmine Moreano, Director of Community Engagement and Advocacy or visit City Green online.  

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