Freshkills Park Blog
Counting New Springville Greenway Visitors
This summer, two years after Freshkills Park’s New Springville Greenway opened, staff installed two Eco-Counter sensors to see how many people are using the new path. Eco-Counters have been used by cities and parks across the world to aid in the understanding of transportation systems like bike paths and pedestrian walkways.
...MOREWe Have So Much to Build On At This Moment
Dear Friends:
As we broke ground on the North Park project on a beautiful sunny day this fall, it was wonderful to see the excitement and support for the project. In thinking about how far we have come, I was grateful for all who have kayaked the creeks, hiked the trails and studied the site’s environmental transformation over the years because your care and commitment have helped us reach this milestone.
...MOREBookmaking Workshops at the Greenbelt Nature Center
This winter, Freshkills Park is offering two bookmaking workshops at the Greenbelt Nature Center. Participants will learn about the Freshkills Park transformation, see examples of native and invasive plants, and create their very own passport-sized field notebook using paper that’s made from plants at the park!
...MOREZero Waste Design Guidelines Help NYC Send Less Waste to Landfills
As part of Archtober, new Zero Waste Design Guidelines were launched at the Center for Architecture on October 18. The Guidelines are an initiative of the Center for Architecture, in collaboration with the AIA New York Committee on the Environment, Kiss + Cathcart Architects, ClosedLoops, and the Foodprint Group.
...MORECall for T-Shirt Designs
Freshkills Park and Projectivity are looking for new t-shirt designs for the Freshkills Park 2018 season! Ideal designs reflect the following themes:
- Reclaiming
- Reinterpreting
- Reimagining
- & Recycling the land
The selected image will be screenprinted on a white short sleeve tee.
...MOREDesign for Roads at Freshkills Park Receives ACEC New York Award
This fall, the engineering and consulting firm NV5 received a Diamond award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC New York) for their pre-scoping design for a transportation network across Freshkills Park.
The study, which was funded by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and jointly managed by the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), and the Department of the Parks and Recreation.
...MORECity Nature Challenge Provides A Snapshot of Urban Biodiversity
In April 2017, sixteen U.S. cities participated in the City Nature Challenge (CNC). For this multi-day event, urban residents competed to observe the most species in their city, at the same time collecting data that conveys a snapshot of the local biodiversity.
...MOREReflections on FieldWork by Nancy Nowacek
It’s Happening! Celebrating 50 Years of Public Art in NYC Parks, took place in Central Park on October 21st. Included among the more than 100 artworks, performances, and workshops was FieldWork. FieldWork is a choreographed performance by artist Nancy Nowacek, a Freshkills Park Field R/D artist, in collaboration with Morgan Hille-Refakis.
...MORENYC Parks and DSNY Break Ground on North Park Phase One
NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, joined Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, Staten Island Deputy Borough President Ed Burke and Assembly Member Michael Cusick to break ground on phase one of North Park—a 21-acre section of the former Fresh Kills landfill, which is currently undergoing the largest landfill-to-park transformation in the world.
...MOREGrassland Research Continues at Freshkills Park
With the decline of grassland habitat, less than 1% of original grasslands remain in the Northeast. Meanwhile, the mounds of the Fresh Kills Landfill have been covered by a cap and seeded with native plants, and the engineered grasslands at Freshkills Park are providing vital habitat to many bird species dependent upon them.
...MORENew 1.5°C Plan Aligns NYC with the Paris Climate Agreement
In 2016, nearly every country signed the Paris Climate Agreement. The agreement requires all participating countries to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to keep the Earth’s temperature from rising two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Two degrees might not seem like a lot, but according to NASA it’s probably the tipping point for widespread ecological problems caused by climate change.
...MOREHighlights from the October 1 Discovery Day
About 1,000 visitors enjoyed the early fall weather at Freshkills Park during the last Discovery Day event of the year on October 1st. The event provided free access to hundreds of acres and miles of trails in the otherwise closed site, with opportunities to explore and learn about the landfill-to-park project.
...MOREMonitoring the Waterways of Freshkills Park
Between June and September, NYC Parks staff conducted weekly water testing at the park to look at the health of the waterways. NYC Sanitation regularly conducts tests to monitor the air, surface water and groundwater at Freshkills Park. While the data that Sanitation collects is used to assess the effectiveness of the landfill infrastructure, this testing was focused on tracking the site’s restoration from an ecological perspective.
...MORECall for T-Shirt Designs!
Freshkills Park and Projectivity are looking for new t-shirt designs for the Freshkills Park 2018 season! Ideal designs reflect the following themes:
- Reclaiming
- Reinterpreting
- Reimagining
- & Recycling the land
The image must be a 2-3 color single image digital file (.jpg,
...MOREBallfield at Schmul Park Reopens after $750K Renovation
On Thursday September 14, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, joined representatives from Deputy Borough President Ed Burke’s Office and Council Member Steven Matteo’s Office to cut the ribbon on a completely reconstructed baseball field at Schmul Park. Funding for the reconstruction was provided in the amount of $750,000 from Council Member Matteo.
...MOREThe Staten Island Bluebelt Expands Again
The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Design and Construction (DDC) recently completed the Sweet Brook system, the largest expansion to date of the Staten Island Bluebelt. The Bluebelt is an innovative, ecologically protective and cost-effective stormwater management system that minimizes flooding and improves water quality in 16 watersheds on Staten Island.
...MOREFreshkills Park’s North Park is In Construction
We are excited to announce that construction on Freshkills Park’s North Park is now underway! This milestone 21-acre project will be the first section inside the Fresh Kills Landfill boundaries to become public parkland. NYC Parks completed the design for the project in March 2016, and the procurement phase ended in June 2017.
...MOREExploring Freshkills Park with New York Road Runners
This summer, New York Road Runners (NYRR) organized two free coach-led group runs at Freshkills Park. Nearly 400 people of all ages came out to run or walk the 3.1 mile and 6.2 mile courses.
The scenic routes took participants along waterways and over the rolling hills of the former Fresh Kills Landfill.
...MOREDiscovery Day October 1 Schedule
Freshkills Park will offer a Discovery Day event on Sunday October 1. This free event is a chance to explore normally closed areas of the park and enjoy the landscape and views the landfill-to-park project has to offer. Over 700 acres and eight miles of trails will be open for a day of photography, bicycling, tours, and activities for all ages.
...MOREHow to Volunteer at Discovery Day
At Discovery Day on Sunday October 1, over 700 acres and eight miles of trails at Freshkills Park will open for a day of activities and recreation opportunities. This free event is a chance to explore the normally closed park and enjoy the unique landscape and spectacular views the project has to offer.
...MORE
