If you have the urge to shop and support the Conservancy at the same time we have a deal for you! Visit the Conservancy's gift assortment at the ARTISAN HOLIDAY CRAFTS FAIR, located at 755-757 Fulton St at South Portland Ave. in the heart of Fort Greene. The Crafts Fair which is organized by The Society for Clinton Hill and Habana Outpost offers unique park and neighborhood-related gift items. At the Conservancy's table one can even purchase the rights to have your name or a loved one's name on a new park bench.

The Artisan Holiday Crafts Fair is open from noon to 8 PM every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas. There are new vendors every weekend so visit often.

Many people don't know that through the Conservancy's various programs, and with your generous donations and help, funds are invested in the park for upkeep and maintenance projects - particularly important during winter months. We hope you are as excited about our programming and our efforts to refurbish the park. Your participation and comments are always welcome.

Happy Holidays from the Conservancy! See you in the park!

The Fort Greene Park Conservancy has formed a new subcommittee whose primary mission is to create an exciting 100-year anniversary for the famed Prison Ship Martyrs Monument.

The Prison Ships Martyrs Monument, which stands in the heart of Fort Greene Park, was dedicated in 1908 as a memorial to the 11,000 prisoners who died on the British Army's infamous prison ships during the Revolutionary War of Independence. These prison ships, the most notorious of which was called the Jersey, were anchored in nearby Wallabout Bay, where the Navy Yard now stands. The 11,000+ martyrs who perished on these vessels included soldiers, sailors and civilians, as well as unfortunate women and children who were caught up in the 6-year War of Independence.

The grand 1908 limestone monument was designed by the famed architect Stanford White and is actually the third incarnation of this historic memorial. The importance of this monument and what it stands for is crucial to the history of the United States and cannot be overstated. Famed historian and author David McCollough recently called Fort Greene Park "one of the most sacred historical sites in America."

The Committee has devised a vision and funding strategy for what hopes to be a widely publicized and heavily attended event, which will include local community, national and international participation. The celebration -- which will take place from Friday November 14th through Sunday November 16th, 2008 -- will feature a myriad of public and invitational events, which in their diversity will reflect the unique identity of our Country.

To learn more about the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument click here. For those interested in helping with this event please contact the committee's chairperson, Ruth Goldstein.

The Conservancy is offering the opportunity for individuals or organizations to sponsor new park benches within the park. The Parks Department has identified seven locations in the interior of the park to place 37 new benches. (click here to see a map)

The park bench offered for sponsorship is a reproduction of the benches that graced the 1939 New York World's Fair, commonly called the World's Fair Bench. They are 8 feet long with hard wood slats and three metal arms. An engraved plaque identifying the bench's sponsor (or sponsors) will be installed on the top wood slat of the bench. A full bench can be sponsored for $3,000, or for $1650 you can have half a bench with an engraved plaque. The cost of sponsorship is 100% tax deductible.

Sponsoring a bench is a great way to remember a special person or to celebrate an anniversary or other important occasion. Since we only have room for 37 benches and the locations are limited, we anticipate they will go fast. Look for an upcoming feature on our website about this wonderful sponsorship opportunity. For more information contact Jim Barnes.