Urban gardens answer the need for open space, affordable food, social cohesion and a safe environment for young adults and children. When successfully cultivated, a garden will often become the defining feature of a neighborhood and will invite interest from other communities. These urban gardens can also help to return a damaged environment to its natural state.

 The Red Hook Community Farm, run by local youth, has transformed an abandoned Brooklyn asphalt park into a thriving organic food and herbal medicine farm. The garden helps participating kids cultivate leadership skills and has provided an abundant supply of affordable produce, which is sold at a weekly farmers' market.