It took more than a decade of fighting, but community activists, including Elba Cornier, a science teacher at PS/IS 157, succeeded in turning a small vacant lot in the Bedford-Stuyvesant/East Williamsburg section of Brooklyn into a green space the neighborhood sorely needs — and Cornier’s students love. Where once there was just a gated and unused space, there is now a riot of color, with hollyhocks, sunflowers, impatiens, fruit and vegetables bursting out in every available space a block away from the school. Students at the pre-K–grade 8 school have enjoyed getting their hands dirty and gardening at the thriving community garden. The UFT van, laden with flowers ready for planting, made a trip to the school on June 16, and two pre-K classes were anxious to get busy. Teacher Coresa Griffin and paraprofessional Lavaughn Jackson started the morning’s work by leading students in yoga stretches. The educators then discussed the various tools they would be using. “What is this?” asked Griffin, holding a trowel. “What is it used for?” Hands flew up: “Digging!” Students also identified the garden rakes and hoes they were about to use and talked avidly about everything they could see: leaves, compost, flowers, birds and — as one child squealed with delight — “a wriggling worm!” Chapter Leader Daniela Luccioni, a big garden booster, was on hand to help out. The neighborhood also enjoys its new green space. “Many of the parents get to have private garden plots,” Cornier said, and there are also garden plots for community residents.