AboutFriends of Fort Greene Park
We are neighbors and enjoyers of Fort Greene Park, some for decades, who are giving time and effort to convince NYC Parks that parts of their plan are very unwanted by the people of the park!
Who We Are
We are everyday people who love Fort Greene Park - families who picnic under the trees, morning joggers who appreciate the shade, children who play on the natural mounds, and neighbors who find peace away from the city's noise.
We just want to see sensible improvements made, with emphasis on the immediate needs of the people, the benefits of preserving nature as-is, and maintaining the original design which helps people escape the noise of the city for some time.
The Friends group started 8 years ago, and we're still gathered together in August 2025 to spread awareness of this immediate danger and seek these few changes to their plan!
Mission Statement
Friends of Fort Greene Park supports the protection and preservation of the urban forest in Fort Greene Park, with appropriate forestry care to maintain the canopy of mature trees. The tree grove, greenspace, and play areas along Myrtle Avenue should remain a beloved community gathering place for residents. NYC has declared a climate emergency, and our preservation efforts are aligned with the need to repair and maintain Fort Greene Park in the face of increasing heat effects and escalating climate change.
What We Stand For
Our vision for Fort Greene Park prioritizes both environmental preservation and community needs.
Focus on the immediate needs of park users - better drainage, ADA accessibility, improved benches, and functional barbecue areas that serve the community.
Protect mature trees that provide irreplaceable environmental benefits - air purification, stormwater management, cooling shade, and habitat for urban wildlife.
Maintain Olmsted and Vaux's original naturalistic vision that creates an urban oasis - a place where people can escape city noise and find tranquility.
Our Partners
We work alongside established organizations that share our vision for thoughtful urban planning.
The City Club of New York promotes thoughtful urban land use policy that responds to the needs of all New Yorkers.
Sierra Club Mission: To explore, enjoy and protect the planet.
A Better Way is a grassroots, nonprofit organization committed to identifying alternatives to the NYC DOT's proposed BQE redevelopment plan.
Expert Advisors
Professional expertise guiding our advocacy for sensible park improvements.
Michael Gotkin
Landscape Architect
Professional expertise in park design and naturalistic landscape preservation
Carsten W. Glaeser, Ph.D.
Urban Tree Advisor
Scientific expertise on urban forestry and tree health management
Lynn Ellsworth
Humanscale NYC Co-founder
Advocacy for human-scale urban planning and community-centered design
Simeon Bankoff
Historic Districts Council
Historic preservation expertise and landmark protection advocacy
Sylvia Morse
Urban Planner
Professional urban planning guidance and community development expertise
Kathleen Webster
Sara D. Roosevelt Park Coalition
Experience in successful community park advocacy and preservation
Our beautiful 30-acre park sits atop a hill in Brooklyn, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in the 1860s. Home to the Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument and countless mature trees that have grown for decades.
Visit us any day to see why this green oasis is worth protecting - from the rolling mounds where families picnic to the shaded paths where neighbors find peace.
Friends of Fort Greene Park is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving our urban forest.
All donations support legal advocacy, community organizing, environmental education, and efforts to ensure proper stewardship of this historic park.
Founded: 2017
Status: Active community advocacy
Focus: Environmental preservation & community needs
Join Our Community
Whether you've been visiting Fort Greene Park for decades or discovered it recently, your voice matters in preserving this urban oasis for future generations.