Bette Midler has won three Grammy Awards, four Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards, and a special Tony Award, but some of her most influential work has been in the greening of NYC. 
In 1999, the city planned to auction 114 community gardens for commercial development. Midler led a coalition of greening organizations to save them. Her organization, the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), a non-profit organization, took over 60 of them and is dedicated to transforming open space in underserved communities to create a greener, more sustainable New York City.
This spring and summer, they have some fabulous events to make use of those open spaces.
Free yoga classes
Yoga
How about yoga in a community garden? Every Saturday through September, the NYRP offers hour-long sessions, led by licensed instructors.
Every Saturday, May – September | 11 am
Garden of Hope, Brooklyn
392 Hancock St.
Instructor: Cayce Pia
Romeo and Juliet
NYRP gardens become a stage for the classic story of “Romeo and Juliet” presented in collaboration with Snorks and Piñs Theater Company. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on and find yourself immersed in the world of William Shakespeare during this family-friendly production.
Saturday, June 16 | 3pm
Target Community Garden, Brooklyn
931-933 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn
Movies Under the Stars
Spend a night under the stars enjoying a film on the big screen while enjoying complimentary hot popcorn! Attendees are welcome to bring a picnic and blanket.
Movies will begin after 8pm.
Jane Bailey Memorial Garden, Brooklyn
327-329 Greene Ave.
Tuesday, July 24 – Wall-E
Garden Grooves
Music
Enjoy an outdoor summer concert with friends.
Thursday, July 19 | 6 pm
Musician: TBD
Bridge Plaza Community Garden, Brooklyn
201 Bridge St. (corner of Concord and Bridge Streets)
Tree Care
One million new trees are finding their homes in New York City through the MillionTreesNYC Initiative. These hands-on workshops teach you how to care for trees that live in your garden and neighborhood:
Saturday, June 23 | 10am–2pm*
Mccloed’s Community Garden
130 Liberty Avenue, Brooklyn
*These workshops are in conjunction with a garden workday and will include lunch.
City Chicken Institute
Chickens!
These interactive workshops, taught by Bee Ayers of bk farmyards, will teach you about the benefits of raising chickens in an urban setting.
Every Second Thursday
April – October | 5:30 pm
Schenectady Avenue Community Garden
87-91 Schenectady Ave., Brooklyn
April 12 – Beginner: Introduction to Urban Chicken Keeping
May 10 – Advanced: Health Inspections and Solutions
June 14 – Chickens are Fun! A workshop for ALL ages
July 12 – Beginner: Introduction to Urban Chicken Keeping
August 9 – Spanish: Introduccion a Pollo Urbano Mantener
September 13 – Beginner: Introduction to Urban Chicken Keeping
October 11 – Advanced: Preparing Your Coop for Winter
Questions?
For Brooklyn workshops contact John Douglas at 212-333-2552.