A major step toward community preservation and urban revitalization is underway in Philadelphia, as the Philadelphia Land Bank has officially purchased 35 garden parcels at an August sheriff’s sale. These lots, previously tied up in privately held tax liens, are part of an ongoing effort to secure and protect long-standing community gardens across the city.

The initiative—developed through collaboration between garden advocates, local community groups, and Philadelphia City Council members—aims to ensure that land long cared for by residents remains a part of the neighborhoods they’ve helped nurture.

“We’re talking about community gardens that have been in the hands of the community for 20-plus years, where neighbors have created a garden oasis in the middle of blight,” said At-Large Councilmember Kendra Brooks, one of the architects behind the plan.

With the purchase complete, the next step is for the Philadelphia Land Bank to transfer ownership of these properties to community-based organizations, including third-party land trusts and nonprofits formed by gardeners themselves. This move is expected to strengthen neighborhood stability and promote sustainable urban land use throughout the city.

For real estate professionals and residents alike, these efforts highlight how Philadelphia’s approach to land use and redevelopment continues to balance growth with community investment—an important factor shaping the city’s evolving housing landscape.

Source: PlanPhilly