Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – The City of Syracuse is continually pushing to reduce its environmental harm as part of its Syracuse Comprehensive Plan. Most recently working to switch to electric busses for all city schools. And while these large scale, executive changes are being made, neighborhoods are working on a smaller scale to better their environment as well.
Outer Comstock is one of these neighborhoods. The Outer Comstock Neighborhood Association recently held their second annual “Art, Garden and Sustainability Walk”. An event that shows off personal gardens in the neighborhood that use sustainable and DIY methods.
The OCNA president, Kate Mercer, says a part of the walk is to show people what it’s possible to do in these spaces. She explained, “You can have a vegetable garden in the city. We have a neighbor who made their own greenhouse out of, like, reclaimed windows.”
And bettering the environment is not the only benefit of creating a garden like this. It can also save a lot of money. Matthew Maloney, an organizer of the event who had his own garden on display says that after buying a house there wasn’t a lot of money left to buy expensive landscape pieces. “So, I think the repurposing, and recycling and upcycling that you see in our yard is the product of that,” he said.
There is a possible benefit to both the environment and the homeowner when sustainable and repurposed gardens are created. And neighborhoods like Outer Comstock are trying to do their best for both parties.
