This summer, an independent Environmental Assessment Statement for planned capital improvements to Fort Greene Park was completed and released. See pages 11-13 for the summary.

The Fort Greene Park Conservancy continues to support the capital investments that NYC Parks is making in Fort Greene Park. The independent Environmental Assessment Statement confirms that the planned work will provide numerous benefits to the park and neighborhood, while avoiding any significant adverse impacts. With new infrastructure, ADA compliant entrances, attention to maintaining the natural diversity and health of the landscape, and greater recreational amenities, the capital improvements will ensure that the park is more accessible and serves the community for generations to come.

If you have questions about the capital project and would like to talk to us, please contact us at shakara@fortgreenepark.org

WHAT IS BEING PLANNED?

The scope of work for the capital project, called Fort Greene Park Entrances, Paths, Plaza and Infrastructure Reconstruction, encompasses a large area of the park. See the images of the scope below (more in-depth images of the project scope can be found at the bottom of this page).

Fort Greene Park Conservancy supports the planned capital work because it will bring needed upgrades for the long-term sustainability of the park. With new infrastructure, ADA accessible entrances, the planting of shade trees native to the area, and more recreational amenities, this project will ensure that the park continues to serve all residents of Fort Greene and surrounding areas. The project is an investment in the environmental health of the park, so that many more generations of people can enjoy what this wonderful park has to offer. The capital project:

Improves park access and safety for all users by opening the northwest corner, adding two ADA accessible entrances where there are currently none, fixing uneven sidewalks on north side of park that are difficult to navigate with wheelchairs, walkers, and canes, and installing new lighting.
Provides resources for the north side of the park, adjacent to Whitman and Ingersoll Houses, where nearly 8,000 people live. The north side of the park has not seen significant capital investment since the 1970s and, prior to that, the 1930s.
Upgrades highly trafficked recreational areas by reconstructing the basketball court, adding fitness equipment, and preserving the barbeque area, adding grills and new picnic tables.
Lays the groundwork for the long-term environmental health of the park by adding native trees and removing invasive trees that prevent undergrowth and promote erosion, and by using grey infrastructure systems for stormwater maintenance.

MISINFORMATION & FACTS

Communications by a group called the Friends of Fort Greene Park and word of mouth has produced misinformation on the capital work.

MISINFORMATION #1: All the trees on the northwest corner of the park, including the rows of London Plane trees by the mounds, are being removed.

THE FACTS: The allée or rows of London Plane trees at the bottom of the stairs and the London Plane trees in the BBQ area will remain. The Honey Locust trees at the Northwest corner will be removed for design reasons, for stairs and to accommodate two new ADA ramps. New large caliper (diameter) trees will be planted in the area. The largest number of trees being removed are along the wall behind the BBQ area where trees grew in haphazardly from runoff/seed. Nearly half of the trees being removed are invasive Norway Maple trees.

MISINFORMATION #2: The northwest corner is going to be completely paved for regular commercial / market use.

THE FACTS: There are no plans by NYC Parks or the Conservancy for regular market use and commercialization of the northwest corner of the park. The Greenmarket will continue to be located along Washington Park and the Conservancy’s Artisans Bazaar will continue its footprint along Dekalb Ave. This northwest corner of the park already has a significant amount of paving from the 1930’s that is in horrible condition. The capital work will bring new gardens for this area of the park, including gardens that will protect the roots of the many London Plane trees.

MISINFORMATION #3: The 200+ new trees planted in the park will be small saplings and will suffer the same fate as street tree saplings in the neighborhood.

THE FACTS: The plans include trees 3-6” caliper (diameter) that will be capable of providing shade and canopy from the day they are planted. Trees planted in the park will benefit from the care of the onsite NYC Parks staff, the Forestry unit, and the resources of the Conservancy.

MISINFORMATION #4: The many Norway Maples being removed are not invasive trees and are good for the park.

THE FACTS: NYC Parks, New York State, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture all consider Norway Maples a non-native, invasive species that prevent undergrowth and promote erosion. New York State requires that any Norway Maples in nurseries be labeled "Invasive Species - Harmful to the Environment.” They were once considered a hardy urban tree planted for ornamental purposes but many now suffer from disease and structural weakness and their invasive tendencies have had negative impacts on forest composition in both urban and rural areas. In the park, you can see how areas around and under Norway Maples are unable to sustain understory plants and grass. Without understory plants and grass, the hilly park erodes rapidly. New native trees will provide a better solution to long term challenges the park faces.

HOW SHOULD I DETERMINE MY OWN POSITION ON THE CAPITAL WORK?

We encourage everyone to learn more about the specifics by joining us on our tour or at our office hours, and reading the Environmental Assessment Statement for the project. Once you know more about what is being planned you will be able to assess the trade offs that are inherent in any project, and make your own conclusions on the capital work. See detailed images of the of the project scope below.