Greenpoint Citizens Club

In 2018, through a competitive process, North Brooklyn Parks Alliance (NBPA) (on behalf of the 61 Franklin Street Community Garden) was awarded $27,000 in GCEF funding to create the Greenpoint Citizens Club, an environmental education program conducted at 61 Franklin Street Community Garden. The funding was used to engage local elementary students, ages 5 to 9, in environmental classes, events, and field trips that introduced them to Greenpoint’s environmental history; the basic concepts of environmental justice, stewardship and citizenship; and explored the seasonal challenges facing Greenpoint gardeners. GCEF funding was also used to organize free, public workshops, speakers, and service action days for adults and families on topics ranging from lead awareness, tree care, wastewater treatment and combined sewer overflows, and zero waste efforts. Finally, project funding provided for additional infrastructure improvements at the garden itself, including a new children’s planter and portable soil containers, an outdoor library box for environmentally themed books, and a “bug hotel” for garden-friendly pollinators.

• Created a new children’s environmental education program and curriculum that introduced 59 Greenpoint elementary students to the basic concepts of environmental justice, stewardship and citizenship, and engaged them in in-depth explorations of water and soil in 40 classes over 2 semesters
• Hosted field trips attended by over 130 children and adults to various local destinations such as Newtown Creek Nature Walk, Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, the garden at the Greenpoint Reform Church, Lentol Garden, and Kingsland Wildflower Rooftop
• Organized 11 public events for adults and families on topics ranging from lead awareness, tree care, wastewater treatment and combined sewer overflows, and zero waste efforts that attracted approximately 250 participants
• Improved infrastructure at 61 Franklin Street Community Garden by constructing a new children’s planter, portable-soil play boxes, a small standalone lending library, and a “bug hotel”