“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 November.
– Fall Planting Season: The Authority’s order of new trees has been planted along South End Avenue (four elms) and in Rockefeller Park (two eastern redcedars). These trees were procured through the New York Power Authority’s Tree Power program, an initiative which offers nearly 30 native varieties to partner organizations across the state to increase native biodiversity and natural carbon storage.
– Compost of Champions: Leaf pick-up and composting will continue throughout the month November, with Parks Operations staff collecting litter-free leaves for composting and mulching back into our garden beds. This reduces waste sent to landfills and provides gardens with a boost of organic matter fertilization. Learn more about composting in Battery Park City.
– Compost of Champions (2): Our second annual Operation Pumpkin Drop was a smash, with more than 900 pounds collected! Thank you to all those who donated their used pumpkins for sustainable composting to help improve the soil fertility of Battery Park City’s green spaces.
– Take a load off: Our team has installed new timber benches along the lower walkway of South Cove, a contemplative area in one of Battery Park City’s most serene locations.
– Seasonal Restroom Hours: The fall public restrooms schedule in now in effect, with restrooms closing daily at 6:40PM in Teardrop Park. (NOTE: Public restrooms will be closed Thursday, November 23 for Thanksgiving, and open from 8AM-3:40PM on Friday, November 24.)
– Seasonal Memorial Hours: Fall hours of operation are also in effect at the Irish Hunger Memorial, with closure now at 6:45PM on a daily basis.
– Limited Lawn Closures: Starting the week of November 20, our Parks Operations team will be fencing lawns currently in need of regular regrowth and renovation: Rector Park West, Rockefeller Park South, Murray Street Triangle, Teardrop Park lawns, and the West Thames Playground lawn. Open access will be maintained in all other parks, with BPCA monitoring these lawns’ needs as the season progresses.
– Hope Springs Eternal: Spring flowering bulb planting will be completed this month, with the Authority receiving approximately 50,000 daffodils, tulips, and other spring flowering plants like native spring ephemerals to increase the beauty and biodiversity of our park. These plants will provide spring beauty and an early season food source for the native bees and pollinators that call BPC home.
– Calling All Volunteers! BPCA’s Horticulture team is looking for volunteers who would like to join us in completing gardening tasks like weeding, watering, and deadheading of plants. Please reach out to 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 that you rethink what you throw away in the parks, and please recycle or compost items — look for our new Recycling sticker signage on recycling cans throughout Battery Park City And speaking of Zero Waste, thanks to those who participated in our E-Waste drive this past weekend on Esplanade Plaza!
– Those Stubborn Spotteds: We continue to combat the Spotted Lanternfly by removing the adults still lingering despite autumn’s cooler temperatures.
– Final Volley: Battery Park City’s volleyball court at Esplanade Plaza will be taken up for the winter on November 15 (weather dependent). Thank you for another great season of community building fun!
