With the development of Bushwick Inlet Park, the promise of Box Street Park, and the impending construction of Gateway to Greenpoint, our little corner of the world is truly beginning to live up to its “green” name within the concrete jungle. On Saturday, June 8th, which was World Oceans Day, Greenpoint Eco-Schools students and families, the National Wildlife Federation, and Newtown Creek Alliance gathered at Manhattan Avenue Street End (MASE) Park in Greenpoint to plant 1,000 square feet of wildflowers and native plants in mycelium fortified soil. The new urban meadow is meant to function as a wildlife habitat, and to add green infrastructure for stormwater management, as our neighborhood is right on the sometimes tempestuous East River. Not to mention, it’s so pretty!
According to his Instagram (@nyc.myc), mycologist Craig M. Trester found a newly hatched baby bird on the ground, and was able to return it to its nest and parents. So it seems like the wildlife habitat is already underway.
In a June 9th Facebook post, Greenpoint Eco Schools said, “Thanks especially to Bill Schmidt and Sophia Wohl from Greening Greenpoint / Trees New York who helped to load and unload all the plants and supplies from early morning until late into the afternoon. Special thanks to Lisa Bloodgood and Willis Elkins from Newtown Creek Alliance for co-hosting, and to Damion Lawyer who finished installing the last plants and stayed late to water. Please check out this new waterfront park by Newtown Creek, made possible by the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund.”
Over 100 people turned out for the sunny event. The kids also marched in a “sea serpent” puppet parade and enjoyed activities such as storytelling and facepainting. Be sure to check out the new meadow on your next day off. Who knows, you might make a new furry or six-legged friend!