T, as he is called, is the Director of Horticulture for the Battery Park City Parks Conservancy. T. has been the Director of Horticulture at Battery Park City Parks Conservancy for over 25 years, and it is his vision and ecological approach that has made Battery Park City’s horticulture an exemplary model for cities, towns and rural areas around the U.S. and the world.
While its subtle beauty may fly under the radar amongst the residential and commercial components of Battery Park City, there lies an ecologically sustainable, organic and green system of gardens. What remains hidden is the scientific process and expertise it takes to produce such a system of thriving gardens. This is where the work of T. Fleisher and the BPC Parks staff come into full force.
T asks businesses and residents of Battery Park City to regularly recycle their food wastes, and these wastes then come to his composting facility at the Parks Conservancy offices. From there, T’s horticulture staff cultivates the compost to build up its biodiversity in order to create a healthy soil teeming with microbiological life. Fungi, bacteria, protozoa and other microscopic life harmoniously thrive in the soil he creates. It is remarkable to learn that the soil has not been fertilized for over five years! This is all attributable to T and his team’s scientific process and work.
Pictured above are T and two of his team members: Adam Choper, Senior Horticulturist and Ryan Torres, Foreperson of Horticulture. Adam is responsible for maintaining and managing the delicate ecological balance of the composting process, while Ryan oversees the daily operation of the Horticulture Department. It is due to the tireless efforts of T, Adam and Ryan that we are able to enjoy the beautiful gardens we see each day. If you happen to see them around, make sure to say “thanks for the great work!”
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