NEED TO KNOW<\/p>\n
50 Cent partnered with Bette Midler in 2007 to revitalize a neglected green space in Jamaica, Queens <\/p>\n
The Curtis \u201c50 Cent\u201d Jackson Community Garden features fruit trees, a rainwater system, and solar-powered upgrades<\/p>\n
The garden hosts events like yoga, gardening classes, and open mic nights, fostering community engagement year-round<\/p>\n
In the heart of Jamaica, Queens, sits a quarter-acre lot that serves as a multi-functional gathering space complete with community gardens and even a little free library. The plot features conservation-focused features like a rainwater harvesting system and a solar-powered water pump. But the garden wouldn\u2019t be what it is today without the support of Queens native 50 Cent<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n In 2007, the \u201cIn da Club\u201d rapper, now 51, joined forces with New York Restoration Project (NYRP) founder and actress Bette Midler<\/a> to bring new life to a once-forgotten green space formerly known as the Baisley Park Community Garden.\u00a0<\/p>\n During an August interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon<\/a>, 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, recalled what inspired the project. He explained that the Hocus Pocus<\/a> star invited him to a NYRP banquet during which the organization was auctioning off trees to be planted throughout New York City. After raising his paddle for 10 cherry trees at $2,500 apiece, the pair joined forces to bring the Curtis \u201c50 Cent\u201d Jackson Community Garden to life.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I realized what they did, I was like, \u2018Yo, I want to do that in my neighborhood,\u2019 \u201d 50 Cent told the host.\u00a0<\/p>\n Financial support for the garden was underwritten by 50 Cent\u2019s G-Unity Foundation. Teams worked with acclaimed landscape architect and designer Walter Hood to create the space. Following months of work, the site opened in November 2008.\u00a0<\/p>\n Today, the garden has an underground cistern that uses rainwater to irrigate it. Meanwhile, six 10-foot-tall blue funnels act as a catchment system and provide shade for relaxation and a place for kids to play underneath.\u00a0<\/p>\n Spread across the 30 garden beds are a variety of fruit trees including peach, apple, plum, cherry and nectarine, according to New York City Tourism<\/a>. The beds are raised only a few feet off the ground so both young children and senior citizens have the ability to garden.\u00a0<\/p>\n In 2020, the space received additional upgrades including a solar-powered water pump and brand new garden beds thanks to Hood and The Knight Foundation. This year, the garden continued to grow with the addition of a triangular-top walkway trellis.<\/p>\n