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LES Timeshare Backyard Gives New Yorkers Private Open Space For Rent

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - There is an oasis for space-starved New York City apartment dwellers this summer. But it comes at a price, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported.

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It's called the timeshare backyard and it's located at 145 Ludlow Street on the Lower East Side.

"It is formerly an abandoned lot and so we made use of this space by coming up with an idea that kind of brings a suburban backyard into a very urban environment," Jessica Restler of the Participation Agency told Diamond.

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It has green grass imported from Upstate New York.

"We have little flamingo oasis throughout the space," she said. "We also have lounge chairs for people to just basically casually relax and picnic tables in the center."

She is renting the space this summer for $100 dollars an hour (two-hour minimum) to cooped-up New Yorkers.

Up to 30 people can share the space at one time.

"So, it's great for birthday parties or luncheons," she said. "There's all kinds of things you can do here."

"You know, in this brick, mortar, and steel city, to find an escape sometimes," said one renter. "It almost feels like it's yours and yours alone."

"It's perfect. Way better than parking," one another said.

If you want to rent out the space, visit the Participation Agency's website.

What would you do with the space? Share your ideas in the comments section below. 

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