McCarren Park Urban Farm and Green Infrastructure Corridor

In 2015, through a competitive process, GrowNYC received a $477,084 GCEF grant (and provided $472,160 in matching funds) to create an urban farm and green infrastructure corridor within McCarren Park. With GCEF funding, the project created a rain garden, multiple demonstration gardens to support educational programs, and an open space for community events and environmental education activities for residents, schools, and community groups. The project also installed signage on environmental stewardship and conservation, and created a best practices manual with information for Greenpoint residents about the principles and concepts used in the project. Additionally, the project provided community programming on how to build a garden and use “green infrastructure” (e.g. rain gardens and rainwater harvesting) in backyards, on roofs, and in community spaces. Community residents were educated on environmental sustainability, energy, ecosystems, and safe urban gardening practices.

In 2017, after another competitive process, GrowNYC was awarded an additional $38,191 in GCEF funding to install a rainwater harvesting system and green roofs atop storage shipping containers at the demonstration garden. Other activities funded by GCEF included installing a model green roof on the ground for easy viewing and educational purposes, hosting workshops on the rainwater harvesting systems, and creating a guide with information about the principles and concepts of rainwater harvesting.

GrowNYC continues to maintain an active presence at the site, hosting both community and school garden workshops, while also inviting the three adjacent co-located middle and high schools to use the growing areas when school is in session.

• Built the 7,200-square-foot McCarren Park Demonstration Garden and 6,170-square-foot McCarren Park Green Infrastructure Corridor with signage about environmental stewardship and conservation
• Installed 2 green roofs totaling 320 square feet, outfitted with educational signage
• Designed and installed a rainwater harvesting system, which diverts over 400,000 gallons of water from NYC’s combined sewer
• Produced and distributed a how-to guide for building water harvesting systems in both community gardens and residential contexts
• Hosted 39 volunteer workdays and had over 1,000 volunteers
• Held 12 workshops with over 150 participants on topics including rainwater system building, harvesting, and gardening
• Held a beneficial insect workshop for 30 schools in Greenpoint and beyond
• Hosted a “Greenpoint Eco-Schools” teacher field trip

• McCarren Park Urban Farms and Green Infrastructure Corridor: Rainwater Harvesting Guide