Press Releases

WATERFRONT WILDERNESS: NEW “MINI FOREST” UNVEILED IN WILLIAMSBURG

NYC Parks transformed an underutilized lot on the Brooklyn waterfront into a thriving ecosystem in miniature

Yesterday, NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa joined New York City Councilmember Lincoln Restler to unveil a new “mini forest” on the Williamsburg waterfront. Thanks to this nearly $200K investment, a lush forest ecosystem with trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and more has now replaced a formerly bare lot. The enhanced greenspace is the latest example of NYC Parks’ commitment to expanding the tree canopy throughout the five boroughs.

“The new mini forest that we have planted here in Brooklyn has transformed this lot into a vibrant and unique space for relaxation and reflection, complete with all the trees, shrubs, wildflowers, ferns, and stones that you’d find in a natural forest,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. “With beautiful greenspaces like Bushwick Inlet Park directly to the north, this mini forest is the latest step in the green transformation of the Brooklyn waterfront, and we’re grateful to Councilmember Restler and our partners throughout the community for helping us bring this project to life.”

“I’m thrilled that we’re bringing the first ever mini forest to Brooklyn! The new mini forest in the Northside of Williamsburg will have an outsized impact on our community by enhancing biodiversity, improving air quality, preventing flooding, and beautifying a rundown, underutilized park space,” said NYC Councilmember Lincoln Restler. “I'm grateful to NYC Parks for embracing this proposal and making this project happen. I'm excited to replicate this model and build more mini forests around the City of New York.”

Parks has filled the space with mature trees, wildflowers, decaying logs, stones, and more, effectively installing a fully-formed forest ecosystem along the Brooklyn waterfront. In contrast to Miyawaki-style mini forests, which begin with small plants planted closely together and allowed to grow naturally over time, New Yorkers will not have to wait to see the natural ecosystem of the new Brooklyn mini forest develop.

Located on a plaza in North Fifth Street Pier and Park, the new mini forest adds yet another burst of nature to the Brooklyn waterfront as the coastline continues its green transformation. The new mini forest joins other parks and open spaces along the waterfront like Bushwick Inlet Park that are providing critical greenspace in a rapidly developing neighborhood.

Parks is committed to expanding the tree canopy throughout the five boroughs, helping all New Yorkers enjoy the environmental and aesthetic benefits of trees. Street trees cool neighborhoods, beautify city blocks, soften the hard edges of concrete and brick, and serve as a source of pride for New Yorkers. New York City is home to more than seven million trees, comprised of more than 200 species. Parks marked three straight years of increasing tree planting totals and recently announced a new block-planting strategy that will plant up to 18,000 trees across the city per year, with a focus on heat-vulnerable neighborhoods.

Parks invested approximately $197K in the construction of the Brooklyn mini forest. Councilmember Restler contributed approximately $35K to further support installation and maintenance. Tree species that can be found at the new mini forest include serviceberry, black gum, river birch, and persimmon. Visitors can also see shrubs, ferns, wildflowers, and grasses like narrow leaved mountain mint, flat-topped goldenrod, sweet fern, aromatic aster, butterfly weed, little bluestem, and hayscented fern.

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Press Contact:

Chris Clark

pressoffice@parks.nyc.gov

(212) 360-1311