8. McCarren Park’s Secret Garden

If you ever seek quiet refuge from McCarren Park’s bustling activity, Green Dome Community Garden is the place for you! This secret 2,500 square foot garden is a part of a “quiet zone”on North 12th Street between Union and Driggs Avenues that is completely maintained by volunteers. Its solitude is complete with winding stone paths and benches, and it’s open to the public everyday from 10AM to dusk. The Green Dome Garden was founded by a resident in 1997 who wanted to restore a neglected area of McCarren Park. Through the GreenThumb Program, the NYC Parks Department became involved in developing the garden, which also serves as a site for local residents and restaurants to bring compostable waste to fertilize plants. Check out other secret NYC gardens here.