The Lotus Garden (Urban Woodlands Community Gardens, Inc.) is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation registered with NYS Charities Bureaus (www.NYSCharitiesBureau). Any donation to the Lotus Garden is tax deductible as defined by the Internal Revenue Service.

AFTER YOU HAVE PAID AND BECOME A COMMUNITY MEMBER:

You will be sent an email acknowledging your payment. Community members have access to the garden during daylight hours, 7 days a week from early April to mid-November. (The garden is officially closed from mid-November to early April.)

Please go to the Covid-19 page to review the current Covid-19 guidelines for The Lotus Garden.

And thank you all for helping us maintain this oasis in the middle of New York City.

FOR NEW COMMUNITY MEMBERS:

Welcome to our community. The garden is located behind the wrought iron gate east of the parking garage on the south side of West 97th Street between Broadway and West End Avenue.

You can get your key to the gate by coming to the garden on Sunday afternoon between 1 and 4pm starting April 7th through November 3rd (unless the weather is particularly bad.) Present your email proof of payment to the gardener on duty; he or she will give you your key and a copy of the Lotus Garden Community Member guidelines.

If it will be difficult for you to come on a Sunday, please contact the Membership Chair at info@thelotusgarden.org and an accommodation will be found.

FOR RENEWING COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FLOWER CIRCLE DONORS:

We are very grateful to you for helping to make our garden grow. Your continuing support is vital to maintaining The Lotus Garden.

FOR GIFT MEMBERSHIP PURCHASERS:

A gift membership will be sent in your name to the recipient. Thank you for supporting our garden.

IF PAYMENT IS BY CHECK OR CASH:

Please enclose your payment with your name and email to:

The Lotus Garden

P.O. Box 134

Cathedral Station

New York, NY 10025

Lotus Garden Guidelines for Community Members

[As amended for the duration of the pandemic, or until further notice]

These guidelines are intended to safeguard your well-being and enjoyment of the garden, as well as the well-being and enjoyment of others.

IN GENERAL:

Community members must be at least 18 years old.
Membership is for 12 months. The annual fee is $20 ($10 for seniors 65 years and older
Community members interested in becoming a plot holder/gardener must keep their community membership current and assist with clean up, watering, garden events, etc.
All visitors to the garden are responsible for safeguarding their property; the garden cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage.

WHILE IN THE GARDEN PLEASE DO:

Enjoy the flowers, trees, shrubs, and fish; the garden is a quiet space—please maintain it as such;
Pull the gate closed and make sure it is locked when entering or leaving the garden;
Park your strollers so they do not obstruct any of the paths. There is space at the top and the bottom of the stairs;
Keep to the wood-chip paths. No one may enter a garden plot, walk on the stepping-stones between plots, or remove items from a plot without permission of the plot holder;
Enjoy your music with headphones;
Notify the garden (info@thelotusgarden.org) or tell a gardener if you are aware of a serious problem, such as a broken lock or fallen tree, etc.

BUT PLEASE DON’T:

Use the garden for events or group activities that could just as well occur elsewhere and/or are of a commercial nature, such as private parties, hobby groups, classes, personal training etc.;
Pick the flowers;
Plant or add anything to a plot-holder’s garden without their explicit permission;
Enter the shed or use the hoses without a gardener;
Put any trash, food or household compostable material in the compost bins;
Walk in bare feet;
Feed the fish;
Bring your pets;
Sunbathe;
Smoke or drink alcoholic beverages.

CHILDREN:

Must be accompanied and closely supervised by an adult at all times;
May not run or play ball games in the garden.

Thank you for following these guidelines. Stay safe!

Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.

All new applications for community membership are only being accepted online.

Key-holders are requested to do their fair share when it is obvious that something needs to be done, such as picking up paper or other debris that has blown into the garden. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in making the garden a safe, enjoyable experience for all visitors!