“From coastal resiliency and sustainable green practices to the preservation of affordable housing, world-class public art, and vibrant, year-round programming in award-winning public spaces, Battery Park City leads the way in many of the measures that makes cities livable."
BPC Parks Happenings is a monthly “snapshot” of the Authority’s work in maintaining Battery Park City’s parks and public spaces. Scroll down to see what’s on tap for May.
– Fall Orders Bring Spring Flowers: Look for the plants that were ordered last fall to be planted into the gardens throughout Battery Park City this month.
– Growing Up Green: Planted last fall, new trees on South End Avenue, Kowsky Plaza, and adjacent to the West Thames Basketball Court will be receiving extra water to ensure their successful establishment.
– Hangers-On: South End Avenue’s 32 hanging flower baskets, a local favorite, will be planted along the thoroughfare with their annual displays.
– Longer Days, Longer Hours: Teardrop Park restrooms will now close at 9PM daily through October 31. The Irish Hunger Memorial is also now open daily until 9PM.
– Felt Top Too: The second pool table in Rockefeller Park is being refurbished.
– Cool Waters: In preparation for summer, water features across Battery Park City will be turned on at the end of the month.
– Leaf Lack: One of the Sweetgum (Liquidamber styraciflua, ‘Slender Silhouette’) trees along South End Avenue has not leafed out this season and therefore will be removed and replaced this fall.
– Workspace Activity: Look for activity at the North End Avenue Island Greenery Workspace as Parks Operations utilizes the area for compost garden cutback. This work allows our team to create a high-quality soil amendment and fertilizer for use across BPC.
– Drop It Like It’s Hot: Our green community compost drop-off bins, located at 75 Battery Place, Gateway Plaza, 200 Rector Place, at the North End Avenue dog run, and on the lower level of River Terrace and Chambers Street are accessible 24/7 for drop-off of fruit and vegetable scraps. And be on the lookout for a new compost drop-off location coming soon along the Esplanade by North Cove Marina! Email compost@bpca.ny.gov for more information or questions about our community compost program.
– See It To Believe It! Although all the gardens within BPC are special, here are some “Must see” spots for an awe-inspiring moment this month!
o Teardrop Park North at the northwest section near Warren Street – look for the Redbud (Cercis canadensis) trees blooming along with the Hyacinthoides sp. and Halesia sp. bulbs.
o Rector Park East & West – the Crabapple (Malus sp.) and tulips blooming together
o And Rockefeller Park, just below Chambers Street, where the rhododendrons and tulips are in bloom….
– Volunteer with BPCA: Our Horticulture team is looking for volunteers to join us in completing gardening tasks like weeding, watering, and deadheading of plants. If interested, please contact info@bpca.ny.gov for a volunteer application and more info.
– Our Path to Zero: As a decades-long leader in sustainability, BPCA is striving to divert 90% of what is sent to landfill! To continue helping toward our Zero Waste goal, we ask, as always, that you rethink what you throw away in the parks, and please recycle or compost items.
