A few months ago, I was on a phone call regarding a collaboration with Maple Street Community Garden. “I’ve never been to your garden,” the caller said, “but I’ve seen people walking around with these gorgeous wreaths the last few Decembers on Flatbush Avenue.”

I smiled into the phone before replying, “Oh yes, our famous wreath-making event led by Rachael DePalma!”

A few weeks ago, I was under the willow tree inside Maple Street Community Garden with Rachael DePalma (she/her) when one of our treasurers saw us coming and said, “Hey Rachael! My wreath from last December is still going!”

The wreath-making workshop is one of our most attended and anticipated yearly events. This year, Rachael will be hosting the 3rd Annual Wreath-Making Workshop on Saturday, December 12th, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Maple Street Community Garden.

“In December 2024, my close friends got married at the Prospect Park Boathouse and were looking for a way to donate their olive, rosemary, and eucalyptus garland. They had mentioned using it for wreath-making and asked me if I could think of anywhere it could be donated. I immediately thought of the [Maple Street Community] Garden. So, I created a wreath-making workshop without really knowing what I was doing. Somehow, with garden member Rissa, we made it work, and seeing how people came together to create such gorgeous and creative wreaths was incredible. Last year, with more support and a new way to source materials, we managed to make it even bigger. Again, I was blown away by everyone who came through and made beautiful wreaths. I'm excited to see what this year's event will bring.”

The wreath workshop is just one example of the many ways Rachael shows up for the garden. In October alone, Rachael, a dedicated member of both the Arts and Compost committees, played important roles in our big City of Forestry Street Tree Care Event and Crafts, Candy, & Compost, and worked a compost shift in between. At our Street Tree Care event, she greeted guests, stocked the snack table, and provided a friendly face and checkpoint for the many, many volunteers of the day. For our Halloween morning event, Rachael collected food scraps and created ink for our guests to unlock their imaginations before coffee.

Rachael is not only someone who doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty, but one of her favorite things about MSCG is working compost shifts. “Anytime I've been able to compost with a team is a good memory for me. Getting to know the team members, meeting members of the community, chopping food scraps and turning the bins, seeing the bugs and heat do their thing is weirdly beautiful.”

She’s been a member of the Maple Street Community Garden since a running injury in 2022 led her to seek new community-driven activities while she recovered. “I joined after I got injured on a run. I was missing community and being out in nature and had always loved compost. I was on crutches my first shift, so I collected data!”

And while Rachael has certainly found a home in the garden, her spirit of creativity and community don’t stop at the garden gates. Professionally, Rachael works in recreation therapy, helping seniors continue to enjoy fun and play in their golden years. She also hosts seasonal art shares in her home, with crafts such as homemade body sprays and collaging. Rachael is infectious with imagination and empowers everyone around her to explore their own imagination.

And a couple of fun facts about Rachael: As a kid, she planned out a garden for her parents' backyard, which felt like the most adult thing ever, and she loved it. She also pole vaulted and ran on her college track team. In her words, “Pole vaulting is one of the most fun things ever.”

Originally from Orange, Connecticut, we’re all so lucky here in Prospect Lefferts Gardens that Rachael DePalma landed here and calls it home, too. We all wait with breath that is bated to see what kind of innovative, exploratory arts workshops await us next season under Rachael’s bold, daring, and exciting ideas.

Join Rachael on Saturday December 12th from 11:30am-1:30pm for the Third Annual Wreath Making Workshop!

Written by Jess F.

Photos by Zhenia N. & Jess F.

Community Spotlight: Rachael DePalma