2016 New York Laws
AGM - Agriculture & Markets
Article 2-C - (Agriculture & Markets) COMMUNITY GARDENS
31-G - Definitions.

 31-g. Definitions.  As  used in this article, unless another meaning
  is clearly indicated:
1. "Community garden" shall mean public or private  lands  upon  which
  citizens of the state have the opportunity to garden on lands which they
  do not individually own.
2.  "Garden"  shall mean a piece or parcel of land appropriate for the
  cultivation of herbs, fruits, flowers,  nuts,  honey,  poultry  for  egg
  production,   maple  syrup,  ornamental  or  vegetable  plants,  nursery
  products, or vegetables.
3. "Municipality" shall mean any county, town, village,  city,  school
  district,  board  of  cooperative  educational  services,  other special
  district, or any office or agency thereof.
4. "Office" shall mean the office of community gardens.
4-a. "State agency" shall mean  any  department,  bureau,  commission,
  board,  public  authority  or  other  agency of the state, including any
  public benefit corporation  of  which  any  member  of  whose  board  is
  appointed by the governor.
5.  "Use"  shall  mean  to  avail  oneself  of  or  to  employ without
  conveyance of title gardens on vacant public lands by any individual  or
  organization.
6.  "Vacant  public  land" shall mean any land owned by the state or a
  public corporation including a municipality that is not  in  use  for  a
  public  purpose,  is  otherwise  unoccupied,  idle or not being actively
  utilized for a period of at least six months and is suitable for  garden
  use.