Nyack has a community garden that I see every day while coming home on the bus. I saw the notice about participating today. I have often wondered if they need bees.
I decide against it. Although it might be fun, there would be risk associated with the hive.
If anyone was stung and had a serious medical issue, I might be liable.
The hive is valuable and it might be stolen or the honey purloined. I think a strong three level hive with honey might be worth a hundred or so dollars in wood and frames, and then another hundred for the bees, and another couple of hundred for the honey. It is too much temptation. If someone steals a tomato, it is no great loss, but steal the hive and it is a big loss to me.
The hive is also a target for vandalism. Some people fear bees to the point where they might want to poison them or damage the hive.
It is natural for bees to swarm, even if you take steps to avoid it. If the swarm starts in the middle of the village it would probably land on somebody’s property and they might not appreciate it.
So I will not be volunteering my bees.