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| New Spring 2008 Building Projects in the Park |
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According to Park Manager Jeff Sandgrund, NYC Parks' Requirements Contracts division has begun a reconstruction project of the basketball court and surrounding landscape on the Myrtle Avenue side of Fort Greene Park. In addition to replacing the basketball court, the project will include adult fitness equipment, new pavement and benches. as well as the construction of an ornamental garden at the entrance at Myrtle and North Portland. The project was funded by Brooklyn Borough President Markowitz.
A part of this work includes the installation of a new drinking fountain for dogs, and humans, with improved drainage in the center or the park. The drinking fountain was funded by City Council Member Letitia James. Construction work will continue through the winter, weather permitting, and the plan is to have the basketball court open and project complete by late spring.
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| What's Going on in The Park Now? |
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In early Spring 2006, a fence was installed around the perimeter of the monument at the top of Fort Greene Park. The restoration of the Prison Ships Martyrs Monument had begun. Scaffolding and netting now completely encompass Fort Greene Park's grand column. The work will take approximately 18 months and is expected to be complete in Fall 2007. The restoration project has been funded in part from donations to the Conservancy.
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| Renovations will include: |
- The monument itself will be repointed and cleaned
- The bronze urn on the top will be relighted as it was previously (see below)
- The plaza will be restored to its original design with granite replacing much of the lawn area
- The bronze eagles will be brought back to their original homes (see article on the eagles)
- New furniture will be installed
- The stairs will also be pointed and cleaned
- The crypt will be renovated and restored
- The monument will be lighted from below
- The plaques on the monument will also be returned
- Read the Conservancy Press Release on the restoration.
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| Recent Photos of the Ongoing Restoration: |
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The following images of the column and the urn were provided by Partnership for Parks in January 2007. Rarely do we get to see close-up images of the urn as well as the view from the top.
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About the Urn:
The solid bronze urn that sits on the top of the monument is being cleaned and restored. Originally the eight ton urn had an eternal flame which was lit by gas. As part of the restoration, the "flame" will be lit again, this time by fiber optic cable. A large part of the money for the project came from donations secured by the Conservancy.
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The monument in January 2007.
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View from the top looking Southeast towards DeKalb Avenue
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Situated on one of the highest points in the area, the 1908 Prison Ship Martyrs Monument featured a popular visitors viewing platform on top which offered marvelous panoramic views of bustling Brooklyn and Manhattan. The platform was accessible by both stairs and elevator. Iron staircases wrapped around the column interior, while the elevator shaft ran up the middle. The design of the elevator was unique in that all its mechanical gears and pulleys were installed below ground under the monument.
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Unfortunately, as Brooklyn and Manhattan expanded and grew taller with skyscrapers, the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument and it's view were soon eclipsed by more spectacular mad-made vistas, such as the Woolworth Building and the Williamsburgh Savings Bank (both had public viewing areas). By the early 1930s the viewing platform was all-but-forgotten. Sadly, after decades of neglect and decay the defunct elevator and all its parts were removed in the early 1970's and the below ground space was filled in with concrete.
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For more information on the urn click here to download a copy of the McKim, Mead & White construction blue prints in PDF. (1.7M)
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Photo by Kristen Benson,
May 1, 2007
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| Our Overall Restoration Goals: |
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- Recognition as a Flagship Park
- Repair and replacement of the mechanical systems of the park itself, such as lighting and drainage, which are outdated and in some cases dangerous.
- Restoration of the monument including reopening the observation platform. Restoration of lighting for the monument.
- Renovation of the Visitors Center, a structure designed by McKim, Meade, and White.
- Return of the Urban Park Rangers and implementation of 24 hour security.
- Return of the bronze eagles which guarded the plaza above the remains of the martyrs.
- Relandscaping to bring the park closer to the designs of Olmsted and Vaux.
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More Information:
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All contents copyright 2008, Fort Greene Park Conservancy Inc. All rights reserved.
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Contact the Conservancy for further information.
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The Fort Greene Park Conservancy, Inc.
85 South Oxford Street
Brooklyn, NY, 11217
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Website designed and hosted by weissmanconsulting.com, Brooklyn, NY. 11217
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Contact AbbyW for information and comments.
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Starts April 19, 2008
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Open Saturdays 9 - 6
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| Local businesses can help support the Fort Greene Park Conservancy. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact us |
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Fresh seafood, herbs, salad greens. chicken, beef, pork, bacon, turkey, plants, herbs, salad greens. fresh flowers, apples, cider, milk, yogurt, butter, cheese, honey, ice cream, baked goods, mushrooms, seasonal fruits and vegetables
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Fort Greene Park, Every Saturday, 8 am - 5 pm
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