On-site research at Freshkills Park
Did we mention that we are trying to develop a research and development agenda for Freshkills Park? Park development over the next several years will only be able to open up about 100 acres of the 2,200-acre site to the public. That leaves abundant, secured open space of varying landscape types available for on-site ecological, energy-related and social science research. We just led a webcast hosted by the Urban Natural Resources Institute (UNRI) at the U.S. Forest Service to discuss with researchers around the country the capacity to make use of Fresh Kills as a research site.
Our pitch centers around the high profile of the Fresh Kills site and its breadth of urban ecological issues, as well as its security from public access, the potential for partnerships with other NYC agencies, the unusual combination of engineered and natural features, assistance from Parks staff in navigating regulatory issues and access to the baseline data gathered by previous researchers. A brief but promising discussion followed our presentation.
If you’re interested in participating in the discussion about research opportunities at Freshkills Park, you can watch and listen to the webinar in UNRI’s archives.
