After many months of planning, ground was broken to begin the construction of the Freedom Garden on Friday, August 7, 2009. The Northside Collaboratory intends to photodocument the construction progress. Please check back regularly to see the transformation of the site into a community gathering space.



The Northside of Syracuse has long been a site for the convergence of immigrants and refugees hailing from a diverse array of many nations and cultures.

Yet despite the uniquely abundant resources in this neighborhood, it lacks a common gathering place. There are few parks or private corners to sit and talk with friends, and few playgrounds or shady places to picnic or read a book on a hot summer’s day.

Where once stood dilapidated houses, there will now rest a garden celebrating the diverse and rich heritage and culture of the community, fully planned with active community member participation. The Freedom Garden stands to be a community owned space, whose existence and meaning will reach far into the future. Its impacts are obvious, and even in its beginning stages, has proven to be a powerful impetus for community-wide dialogue, engagement and collaboration.

The Freedom Garden will ultimately be a multi-tiered site encircled by an arced walkway; on one side rests a refurbished retaining wall, which will display a mural to be designed and painted by local school children. Once completed, the garden will be the home to community events, dinners, cultural celebrations, as well as a clean and beautiful place to stop and sit for a while.

Trellises have been incorporated into the design, and these will provide a venue for lighting (making it a safe space even at night) and shade-cover during the day. All plantings have been chosen to adapt and flourish in Syracuse’s difficult growing conditions, and will include shamrock inkberry, green luster holly, snowmound spirea, gold mound or gold flame spirea, miss kim lilac. During the initial phase, bulbs and perennials will be planted by community residents.

If you would like to get involved please call Maarten Jacobs at 315-473-0952 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . A full-color brochure for the project is available here.