• We enrich and nurture Fort Greene Park as a public space that puts community first—protecting everyone's right to belong, organize, and connect with nature.

  • The Fort Greene Park Conservancy is an independent non-profit organization that partners with local communities and NYC Parks to program, maintain, and advocate for the park as a vital space today and for generations to come.

  • — Fostering Belonging

    We hold space for every park user and celebrate local communities—current and historic—through collaborative cultural, health and wellness, and environmental programming.

    — Facilitating Organizing & Civic Engagement

    We encourage and support gathering, organizing, and conducting all forms of civic engagement in Fort Greene Park as we advocate for a truly public space and ensure equitable access at all times.

    — Demonstrating Environmental Stewardship

    We equip ourselves, NYC Parks, and the public with the tools—from hands-on learning to volunteering opportunities—to sustain the park’s natural and built assets as a refuge and critical infrastructure for the neighborhood.

Learn more about our work in our Annual Report

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Board of Directors Conservancy Staff Park Partners Supporters

Conservancy staff

  • Lori recently graduated from Loyola University Chicago with her M.S. in Environmental Science and is eager to use her degree to continue the amazing work of FGPC. Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, she noticed the environmental and social disparities between where she lived and other neighborhoods. With a passion for environmental justice, she spent much of her academic career researching air pollution and food systems differences between neighborhoods in Chicago, as well as leading and founding several EJ focused initiatives at her university, which are still continuing today. Lori has experience working in farmers markets, urban agriculture, food service, labs, and libraries, and she is very excited to be FGPC’s first EJ Fellow! During her free time, Lori enjoys playing video games and weight training.

    Lori@fortgreenepark.org

  • Born in San Francisco, California, Jp is a filmmaker and cultural worker who has been active in both realms for over a decade. Prior to joining Fort Greene Park Conservancy, Jp has worked with organizations ranging from the International Center of Photography, to Brooklyn Academy of Music, to Battery Park City Authority. In his time with each organization, Jp learned the craft (and continues to) of bringing the public closer to art, and dismantling the boundaries typically existing between groups of people and artwork with the potential of bringing communities together. Whether serving as an Art Guide for visitors during his time at MOMA PS1 or organizing workshops and lectures about Debt for The People's Forum, Jp has focused on his passion of bringing people together, no matter their background, to be both educated and entertained. Outside of work, you can catch Jp either watching a film, wishing every piece of artwork ever created was in the Public Domain, or walking aimlessly in Flushing Meadows Park, filming every tree he can find.

    jp@fortgreenepark.org

  • Rosamond Fletcher is Executive Director of the Conservancy, where she leads organizational strategy, fundraising and operations with its staff, Board, and partners. She is centering her efforts on building FGPC’s capacity to engage the park’s diverse community, program the park for a range of users, and execute timely improvements to the park’s landscape; in the first three years of her tenure, she has more than tripled the Conservancy’s budget and staff. Rosamond has worked for nearly 20 years at the intersection of public space planning and urban design. In her prior positions at the Design Trust for Public Space and AIA NY / Center for Architecture, she gained extensive experience in executing cross-sector partnerships, managing multidisciplinary teams, engaging stakeholders, and securing funding. She is an alumna of Coro’s Leadership New York program. Rosamond has also taught at the Urban Lab at NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and Georgia Institute of Technology. She holds a Master of Environmental Design from Yale School of Architecture and a BArch and BFA from RISD.

    rosamond@fortgreenepark.org

  • Born in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, Kai quickly noticed the lack of green spaces, support, and opportunities in his community. He spent most of his childhood traveling to other neighborhoods, like Fort Greene, to enjoy recreational activities. These issues prompted his relocation to Manhattan, where he immediately jumped at the chance to receive job-readiness training at the Henry Street Settlement. With the help of this newfound resource alongside a vision to support low-income people, Kai transitioned into the fields of Social Justice and Urban Agriculture. He served an Americorps term at the nonprofit organization, Green City Force, learning how to truly appreciate the communities we inhabit, and the importance of giving back to them. His time at Green City Force consisted of traveling throughout all 5 boroughs to build and bring about positive and thriving green spaces for underappreciated NYCHA communities. These spaces, called Eco-Hubs, served as areas for residents to gather amongst one another, drop off food scraps to compost, obtain free produce, volunteer, and celebrate their beliefs. That experience sparked a passion in him to continue down a path of embracing and uplifting his community. Shortly after graduating from Green City Force with the GCF Leadership Award, Kai took his passion to Fort Greene to become the Assistant Educator Consultant for the Fort Greene Park Conservancy's Green Team program. The Green Team is a local environmental education program for teens, taught through a lens of Environmental Justice, something that he took pride in as an Americorps member. This experience reintroduced him to the wonderful people of Fort Greene and assured him that he can make an impact. Now a full-time member of the Fort Greene Park Conservancy as the Environmental Programs Manager, Kai hopes to create beautiful and captivating spaces within the park, with an abundance of opportunities for all.

    kai@fortgreenepark.org

  • Born and raised in NYC, Annie grew up embracing the pockets of green spaces throughout the city and knew that she wanted to return back to NYC after her studies to work towards ensuring that all people felt safe, welcome, and educated about NYC's green spaces. Prior to joining the Conservancy, Annie worked as a Communications Associate for Friends of Bonobos, a wildlife non-profit, and a Conservation Fellow at The Open Space Institute, a land-based conservation organization. Annie is passionate about using storytelling and intentional outreach to connect and uplift communities in their surrounding environment and natural spaces. Annie received a BS in Environmental Science & Policy, a BA in Cultural Anthropology, and an East Asian Studies certificate at Duke University. Outside of work, Annie enjoys volunteering for animal welfare groups by fostering cats and walking dogs for older adults.

    annie@fortgreenepark.org

  • Rae'L started her development journey as a grant writing fellow for WorkFirst foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on workforce development. Her love and dedication for writing soon earned her a full-time role as a Grant Writer, where she helped increase funding to assist underrepresented and underserved communities gain access to meaningful employment. Having recently moved to Brooklyn, Rae'L has not only found a new home but also a deep connection to the community. She has a profound belief in the significance of "third places" within society. Rae'L is committed to preserving and enhancing these beloved spaces, foremost Fort Greene Park, making it safe and inclusive for all. Outside of work, Rae'L volunteers for an international religious institution that assists in disaster relief work.

    rae’l@fortgreenepark.org

  • Mia Rubin is a queer Chinese Jewish adoptee. Mia uses her skills as an arts administrator, cultural worker, and educator to explore Asian American and adoptee identity through print and textile design. Prior to joining the Fort Greene Park Conservancy, Mia worked with Museum Hue as a Project Manager researching People of Color founded and led arts organizations throughout New York State alongside Hester Street - an urban planning, design, and community development nonprofit. Mia developed her skills as a public programmer and arts administrator while at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) where she developed the Shifting Perspectives audio tour about personal connections people find in art. Mia worked at Asian American Arts Alliance and helped create lively community town hall events. Mia is taking all that she has learned from working with queer AAPI community into this role as she is dedicated to connecting people and making programs more accessible to marginalized people. Mia received her BFA from Parsons School of Design. Outside of work, Mia enjoys putting her degree to use by creating flower arrangements with flower farmers in Fort Greene Park. You can find her with a bouquet in hand most of the time.

    mia@fortgreenepark.org

  • Amy Williams is an experienced arts administrator and visual artist who currently serves as the Development Manager at Fort Greene Park Conservancy. Amy's career has been shaped by her dedication to fostering vibrant local art communities. She held the position of Director at 440 Gallery and served as Deputy Director of Arts Gowanus, where she played integral roles in nurturing and promoting the work of local artists. Prior to her role at Fort Greene Park Conservancy, Amy was responsible for overseeing Annual Giving and Membership at Jazz at Lincoln Center, an experience that enriched her skills in Development and nonprofit management. With a BFA from the University of Texas at Austin and an MA in Arts Administration from Baruch College, CUNY, Amy brings a unique blend of artistic insight and administrative proficiency to her work. With her passion for Brooklyn's cultural vibrancy and community empowerment, Amy is dedicated to supporting Fort Greene Park's preservation and enhancement, ensuring it remains a cherished haven for the community.

    amy@fortgreenepark.org

*Fort Greene Park Conservancy also funds three NYC Parks staff positions: three City Park Workers

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Joylynn Holder joined the Fort Greene Park Conservancy in 2021 because of her love for the park and devotion to outdoor play and learning. She founded the Brooklyn Forest School, an early childhood program that offers classes outdoors in city parks. After 14 years of Waldorf education, Joylynn studied Theology and Fine Arts at Georgetown University and Women’s Studies at George Washington University’s graduate program. She has won numerous awards over the years for her work as a community organizer and has lectured at universities and educational conferences around the country. She and her family live a few blocks from the park, which they visit almost every day.

  • Sam is a real estate and construction specialist with 12+ years of experience. Prior to founding Tankhouse, Sam was a construction manager at Sciame where he specialized in large-scale building projects in downtown Manhattan.

    Sam earned his master of science in Real Estate Development from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Preservation and Planning (GSAAP) (2013) and his bachelor of arts in Philosophy from the University of California at Berkeley (2005). Previously, Sam was an Adjunct Scholar and an Adjunct Professor at CURE, an urban think tank at Columbia University, and currently serves as a mentor for MsRED candidates.

  • DJ Leonardo “Sadiq” Bellamy moved from the Lower East Side to Fort Greene in the early 90’s with the hopes of bringing with him the street parties he had helped build there, while also encouraging the black cultural renaissance happening in Brooklyn.

    The result was Soul Summit, which has become a staple of Fort Greene Park’s rich cultural history. This party grew to become not only a celebration of music but also a gathering for the community, as neighbors, public advocates, the community board and elected officials fought for its preservation and development over the years. Because of Sadiq’s desire to work with and in the community, the party welcomes a diverse group of artists including DJs, dancers, local bands, photographers and fashion designers across NYC, and all around the world. Soul Summit is a place where new and old residents can come dance, party and celebrate in Fort Greene Park together.

  • Shaquana Boykin joined the Fort Greene Park Conservancy Board in 2018 to help facilitate and support stronger collaboration and a deeper connection across communities and among park users. Shaquana also serves as the Chair of the Programming committee. Shaquana is deeply committed to Fort Greene and the larger Brooklyn community in her roles as a Food Sovereignty Organizer with the Brooklyn Movement Center, a Digital Fellow with SparkAction & OYUnited, and her most recent role as AD 57 State Committee member of Kings County Democrats.

    Beyond this, Shaquana spends her time advocating for tenants’ rights, wellness and physical health programs with a focus on equity in her involvement through the Better Bike Share Partnership NYC and starting a CSA and City Harvest mobile markets through the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership.

    Shaquana earned an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts at CUNY’s Kingsborough Community College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Legal Studies at CUNY’s New York City College of Technology. She has also served over five years as an Americorps Alumni.

  • Ralph Decatrel has been a Board Member of the Fort Greene Park Conservancy since 2015. Ralph frequents Fort Greene Park in the early mornings walking his dogs. In his time serving on the FGPC board, he has helped revise the technology platforms and website of the Conservancy. He advocates for the development of program activities and events in the park. He believes in building partnerships with community based organizations and with the City of New York to make the park safer, maintain its beauty and celebrate the history of Fort Greene Park on the Register of National Historic Places.

  • Peter is a lifelong New Yorker and recent transplant to Fort Greene, along with his wife, two children and dog. Often a visitor over the years, Peter first began spending extensive time in Fort Greene Park as one of the owners of the restaurant Metta (now closed). He fell in love with the park during this time with the restaurant and worked closely with FGPC on a number of activities. These included sponsorship of the Halloween event; an Argentine asado offering for the first Fling; a picnic plate selection for the second Fling; and participation in general gala planning. Peter believes Fort Greene Park is the neighborhood's crown jewel and ought to be managed carefully and quietly to maintain its easy and casual energy in an ever changing city landscape. He favors health over change in his hopes for the park. Before helping to launch Metta, Peter spent a decade at Google in the city. He is now exploring new retail opportunities in the neighborhood. Peter holds a BA from Princeton.

  • Kimberly Ford is joining the Fort Greene Park Conservancy in 2021 because of how important the park is to her family and because she wants to help FGPC more effectively communicate with residents of Whitman and Ingersoll Houses. She has been serving as a MAP (Mayor’s Action Plan) organizer at Ingersoll Houses, conducting outreach and organizing health and nutrition, wellness, and job fairs. Kimberly has also been involved in neighborhood mutual aid efforts. She is also a frequent FGPC volunteer and will be serving on the Program Committee.

  • Founding member of the Fort Greene Park Conservancy, established in 2001 and Treasurer for 20 years. Founding members of LeGaL Bar Association, one of the first LGBTQ Bar Association in the Country, founded in 1978.

    I have served on the Fort Greene Association as Treasurer and am currently the Treasurer for the South Oxford Block Association. I am presently Treasurer of First Presbyterian Church of Glen Cove, NY and a governor at the Hempstead Harbour Club of Glen Cove. I met my husband, Scott Emmons in 1980 and we married in 2008. We moved to Fort Greene in early 1980’s and feel so lucky to be part of such a diverse and beautiful community!

  • Spike Lee is an American filmmaker and actor. He has won numerous accolades for his work, including an Academy Award, a Student Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and two Peabody Awards. He has also been honored with an Honorary BAFTA Award in 2002, an Honorary César in 2003, the Academy Honorary Award in 2019, and a Gala Tribute from the Film Society of Lincoln Center as well as the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize.

    His production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, which has been based in Fort Greene for over four decades, has produced more than 35 films since 1983. He made his directorial debut with She's Gotta Have It (1986). He has since written and directed such films as School Daze (1988), Do the Right Thing (1989), Mo' Better Blues (1990), Jungle Fever (1991), Malcolm X (1992), Crooklyn (1994), Clockers (1995), 25th Hour (2002), Inside Man (2006), Chi-Raq (2015), BlacKkKlansman (2018) and Da 5 Bloods (2020).

    Lee's films Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, 4 Little Girls and She's Gotta Have It were each selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

  • Manushka Magloire is joining the Fort Greene Park Conservancy in 2021 as a direct result of bearing witness to the structural racism and police violence plaguing the nation during the 2020 uprisings, and the trickle down effect playing out within the fractured & divided fabric of her beloved Fort Greene neighborhood. She brings a commitment to ensuring visibility, agency, equity, recognition and celebration in our communities and shared park space - for all. Manushka is the Campaign Director at For Freedoms, an artist-led organization that models and increases creative civic engagement, discourse and direct action, working with artists and organizations to center the voices of artists in public discourse, expand what participation in a democracy looks like and reshape conversations about politics.

    Manushka was previously Global Director, Social Impact & Community, for AFROPUNK where she created and led its community engagement programs across global festival markets, building on its core mission and values to reinforce its social impact strategy, including the launch of AFROPUNK ARMY, a volunteer group of over 65,000 change agents who donated time, passion and talents to nonprofits and social justice movements. Manushka is an active member of Friends of Commodore Barry Park, the Partnership for Parks It’s My Park 2020 Legacy Award winner, and is also co-organizer of The Lay Out, a gathering and social demonstration of love and resistance at Fort Greene Park.

  • Zak Malik is a proud Brooklyn native, and has been enjoying Fort Greene park since his days at Brooklyn Tech. From soccer and track practice on the lawn, to bringing his dog to off leash hours, to picnicking with friends and family, the park has been a constant in his life. The park has always been meaningful to him, and became even more so when he celebrated his engagement there after proposing to his now wife just down the block on South Portland.

    As a Principal at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, he advocates on behalf of a wide array of nonprofit and corporate clients before city and state governments, specializing in budget advocacy, legislative analysis, and community affairs. Zak helps guide clients through the city’s budget process, working closely with them to help secure government funding for programming and capital projects. He also monitors political, legislative, and regulatory activity, and lobbies for legislative changes at the city and state level in a range of policy areas.

    He is also an alumnus of the NYC Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs, where he gained a strong understanding of how the city operates by examining and gaining first-hand experience working in a variety of industry sectors and institutions. Before that, Zak was focused on education policy as a policy and advocacy fellow with Leaders for Educational Equity. Zak is an alumnus of Teach For America, where he taught high school special education in the Bay Area, California. Through TFA, he earned an M.A. in special education at Loyola Marymount University. Zak is passionate about education and has served on TFA NY’s Associate Board.

  • Najee Omar is an award-winning writer, performance artist, and cultural strategist who uses storytelling to create social change, build community, and amplify marginalized voices in Brooklyn. For over a decade, his work has centered Black and queer narratives, ensuring that art remains a powerful tool for justice, transformation, and liberation.

    Najee began his career leading writing and performance workshops at Brownsville Community Justice Center and Crossroads Juvenile Center, engaging youth in using the arts to advocate for systemic change. In 2017, Najee founded Spark House, an arts education organization dedicated to equipping high-need youth with creative tools to navigate identity, share their stories, and build power. 

    As the first-ever Artist-in-Residence with BRIC & University Settlement’s Intergenerational Community Arts Council, Najee collaborated with Brooklyn elders, artists, and activists from NYCHA houses to create public art projects that bridged generational gaps and uplifted community stories. He has also partnered with 651 ARTS and Weeksville Heritage Center to create programs that celebrate Black cultural expression and ensure the arts remain accessible to historically excluded communities.

    His personal artistic practice blends poetry, movement, and surrealism, inviting audiences to imagine a world where Black and queer love and lives are not only seen but deeply celebrated. A New York Times Visionary and Fort Greene Community Hero, Najee’s writing has been published in That’s a Pretty Thing to Call It and Poet Lore Magazine. Recently, he was named a SKY LAB Artist-in-Residence with Hi-ARTS, where he developed his stage play Little Black Book.

  • Julie started her career in the Budget office of the NYC Parks Department where she saw firsthand how critical conservancies are to ensuring that the City’s green spaces remain vibrant and accessible to all New Yorkers. When she moved to Fort Greene in 2017, Julie immediately joined FGPC, leveraging her sales and marketing skills to help plan the first annual “Fort Greene Park Fling” fundraiser. Later that year Julie joined the Board as a member of the Development Committee, and is currently on the Executive Committee.

    Since leaving the Parks Department in 2012, Julie has worked in Marketing and Partnerships at American Express and the NYC Sanitation Department. She is currently the Executive Director of the NYC Sanitation Foundation, a non-profit that forges public-private partnerships to support the City’s zero waste goals and engage New Yorkers in more sustainable waste habits. She holds a B.A. in Urban Studies from Columbia University and an M.B.A in Finance from NYU Stern.

    On a personal level, Fort Greene Park holds great meaning for Julie and her family. She and her husband got engaged in the park (their dog Willa carried the ring) and then got married in their apartment on live TV during the coronavirus pandemic (taking advantage of the Governor’s Executive Order allowing for virtual weddings). To celebrate their wedding, they took Willa to the park where they had a socially-distant brunch with Julie’s brother and his family.

  • Pam is an HR leader working in mission-driven tech companies (Nuna, Sidewalk Labs, Microsoft) with experience in developing and implementing DEI systems and structures. She’s also a founding member of Level, a diverse network of women coming together to address the racial wealth gap, and serves as Chair on the UJA’s Brooklyn Advisory.

    Pam Soberman has lived in Fort Greene since she moved to Brooklyn from Seattle in May 2019. Prior to her election to the Fort Greene Park Conservancy, she volunteered at the organization and with the local mutual aid group. Her love of the Park was immediate and only became more amplified during the pandemic. The Park provided a safe refuge for her and her roommate (rescue pup Prince) to gather and safely socialize. More than ever, she values the Park in its ability to connect neighbors, build community, and improve wellbeing for all its visitors.

  • Kristen Vigrass has served as an active member of FGPC’s Park Improvement & Maintenance Committee for the last six years, initially joining the Committee as a non-Board member to provide PR expertise. She lives near the park and regularly volunteers her time for Committee initiatives, including the Earth Day Festival, for which she came up with—and procured for two years in a row—the highly favored “smoothie” prize!

    Kristen is President and Chief Operating Officer of The Brandman Agency, a global communications agency, specializing in travel, tourism and hospitality. She is experienced with media relations, branding, and social media, and handles personnel, client relationships, and business operations for the agency. She has produced award-winning work for clients such as The Ritz-Carlton, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, and Krispy Kreme.

    With a background in consumer, fashion, and travel public relations, Kristen holds a degree in film production from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

  • Derek visited Fort Greene Park the first day he moved to the city. After a brief nearby sublet, he moved to a few other neighborhoods, but always longed to return to Fort Greene. Finally in 2008, he and his partner moved to a home near the park.

    His young family has leaned on the park as a social center and a refuge during the pandemic - taking kiddie scavenger hunts, teaching his three children to ride bikes on its trails, sledding and all things winter on its slopes. He hopes to one day climb to the top of the Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument.

    Derek works at Goldman Sachs and graduated from Harvard with degrees in Computer Science and Applied Math. He previously served on the PTA Board of PS20 as the Financial Secretary, bringing STEAM programming to the school community. He is dedicated to accessibility for all in the Fort Greene community and is eager to help FGPC advance this goal.

  • Charles Jarden, has served as a Fort Greene Park Conservancy Board Member since 2002, and as its Chairman from 2005 to 2019. Charles helped build awareness and create programming around the 100th anniversary of the Park’s historic Prison Ship Martyrs Monument. After the Monument's restoration and celebration in 2008, Charles expanded the Conservancy's relationship with NYC Parks and activated elected officials to fund park maintenance projects. Charles’ experience developing and producing opera and music theater projects launched the Conservancy on a trajectory to produce year-round free programming for the entire community. Charles attracted local business partnerships to the Conservancy and transitioned the organization from all-volunteer to professional staff. He hopes that as the Conservancy is building its profile to serve the community so that all Brooklynites will feel welcome in safe and attractive green space.

  • David Barker became the Director of Fort Greene Park in December 2014 after holding various leadership roles with NYC Parks starting in 2007. Most recently, he was the Northeast Queens Park Manager, where he oversaw maintenance and operations of 900 acres of parkland comprised of wetlands, ball fields, playgrounds, forests, and freshwater lakes. David also served as the agency’s first Sustainability Director, where he managed initiatives aimed at bringing all New Yorkers within a 10-minute walk of a park by 2030, including the opening of 240 new playgrounds in public schoolyards in underserved areas.

    As Fort Greene Park Director, he is responsible for all aspects of the park's maintenance, long-term planning, and programming in partnership with the non-profit Fort Greene Park Conservancy. David holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from Middlebury College in Vermont and is a graduate of the NYC Urban Fellows Program, NYC Management Academy, and Central Park Conservancy-City University of New York Urban Park Executive Leadership Program. His family has called Fort Greene/Clinton Hill home since 2008.

If you are interested in learning more about the Conservancy's Board of Directors or would like to join the Board, please fill out our interest form.

PARK PARTNERS

NYC Department of Parks & Recreation

The mission of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation is to plan resilient and sustainable parks, public spaces, and recreational amenities, build a park system for present and future generations, and care for parks and public spaces.

NYC Parks is the steward of nearly 30,000 acres of land in New York City, including the 30 acres of Fort Greene Park. Learn More

Fort Greene Tennis Association

The Fort Greene Tennis Association promotes tennis in the Fort Greene community through tournaments, volunteer activities, and other events while working to maintain and improve the tennis facilities at Fort Greene Park. Learn More

Fort Greene Pups

Formed in 1999, Fort Greene Park Users and Pets Society (PUPS) is a collective group of dog owners who use Fort Greene Park on a regular basis. We are a social and service nonprofit organization, and host the annual Great PUPkin dog Halloween costume contest in Fort Greene Park. Learn More