frequently asked questions

If your question is not on this list, contact us at info@fortgreenepark.org

  • If there is a violent or unsafe situation, call 911 and describe your location as clearly as possible using landmarks in the park (for example, “by the monument at the top of the hill”). You can also offer to meet responding officers at cross streets by park entrances. If officers are unable to locate the incident, they may call back from a blocked number or a "No Caller ID" number. 

    Park users can also go to the Visitors Center to see if an Urban Park Ranger or Parks Enforcement Patrol officer is available to help. If you see a park worker nearby—often driving around in a golf cart—you can flag them down for assistance as well.

  • Yes, restrooms are located in the Myrtle/St Edwards playground in the northeast portion of the park and at the Visitors Center at the top of the hill.

  • The Fort Greene Park Visitors Center is open seven days a week from 8:00 am–4:00 pm (open later seasonally).

  • The Visitors Center has interpretive signs highlighting the park's history, park brochures, and a few critters like fish and reptiles. The Visitors Center is also home to Urban Park Rangers who host family-friendly nature-based educational activities for their Friday Meet the Rangers programs. Additionally, public bathrooms and a filtered water station are available during operating hours.

  • Parks staff maintain a Lost and Found at the Visitors Center. You can e-mail the Park Director at david.barker@parks.nyc.gov for questions about a missing item.

  • The Urban Park Rangers periodically host scheduled tours of the Monument. Stop by the Visitors Center to see if the Rangers are available for a monument tour. The Crypt, while not open to the public, can be viewed through photos also at the Visitors Center.

  • Special events permits are required for events/activities where twenty or more people will be present—or if you want to reserve a particular location in the park. Please reference our Permits page.

  • To play tennis at any public park in NYC between the first Sunday of April to the Sunday before Thanksgiving, players need a tennis permit from the NYC Parks Department. To reserve a court at Fort Greene, follow Fort Greene Tennis Association’s signup sheet system.

  • Due to Fort Greene Park’s status as a historic landmark, the park is unable to implement a dedicated dog run. The Conservancy agrees there is a need for dedicated dog runs in Fort Greene and its surrounding neighborhoods to support the growing population of dogs in the area as well as the desire to allow dogs off-leash during on-leash hours (9am to 9pm). NYC Parks has four requirements for the creation of dog runs:

    • A dedicated group of volunteers that will maintain the dog run and enforce rules.

    • Broad community support from the Community Board where the dog run will be sited and the community as a whole

    • An appropriate location for the dog run. Rules require that it cannot be sited near or over major infrastructure such as underground subway lines, pre-existing playing courts (ie basketball, tennis, etc), or near large trees.

    • Funding to build the dog-run, which will be anywhere from $1 to $1.5 million.

    If you are part of a group trying to build a dog run in Fort Greene or the surrounding neighborhood, please reach out to info@fortgreenepark.org. We regularly receive feedback about the implementation of a dog run in the park. While we cannot build a dog run, we would like to connect concerned park users with your group to support the building of such a space in the surrounding community.

GENERAL FAQ

PARK PROJECTS & MAINTENANCE

  • NYC Parks temporarily places fences to facilitate seasonal maintenance such as aeration and reseeding for winter closures, as well as to manage the park’s passive and on-leash areas.

  • Parks remove trees from the park that have significant decay and rot. These trees pose a public safety threat as they drop branches, which can injure park users. When possible, young trees are planted in the vicinity of removed trees.

  • Visit our Upcoming Capital Work page to learn about the capital investments that NYC Parks is making in Fort Greene Park. If you still have questions, contact us at info@fortgreenepark.org.

  • Throughout the year, volunteer groups can always request custom-tailored project and dates through our Group Volunteer Form. Regular volunteer events, such as bi-weekly volunteer days and volunteer gardening, start in March and end in November. During the winter, we host volunteer events like Mulchfest and Leaf No Trace. Visit the Volunteer Page to learn more about volunteering opportunities.

VOLUNTEERING

Programming & events

  • Yes, all Conservancy-led programs are free, except for our annual fundraiser, The Fling.

  • You can find out about our programs by visiting our events calendar, subscribing to our e-newsletter, following us on Instagram, and checking the bulletins in the park.

  • We do our best to reschedule any programs that have been postponed due to weather, however, on rare occasions events may be canceled. Our Instagram is the best way to learn about day-of updates.

  • Please visit our Partnerships Page to complete the interest form.

    If you have additional questions not answered on that page, email info@fortgreenepark.org.

DONATIONS & sponsors

    • Become a Sustainer by setting a recurring monthly donation to provide ongoing support to the Conservancy.

    • Donate to our Spring and Year-End campaigns or host a peer-to-peer campaign with friends and family at any time of the year!

    • Attend our annual fundraiser, The Fling, a community-centered event that brings us together to break bread and honor our local Community Heroes while enjoying performances from local artists.

    • Name the Conservancy as a benefactor of your estate to protect Fort Greene Park as a resource for generations to come.

  • Benches are a great way to honor a loved one. You can find more information on our website. Single (or half) benches are $5000, and double (or full) benches are $10,000. Plaques remain on the bench for 15 years or the life of the bench. If you have questions, please reach out to Amy Williams, amy@fortgreenepark.org for more information.

    You can also host a peer-to-peer campaign to crowdfund a bench dedication.

  • Please reach out to Amy Williams, amy@fortgreenepark.org. To learn more about sponsor benefits and levels.