Another holiday season is upon us and as we reflect on the year 2006 that is nearly passed I hope you will join me in noting the many improvements to, and ongoing projects in Fort Greene Park. Fort Greene Park is a great place to relax, take a stroll after a long holiday meal and ponder the wonderful things that we have at our disposal in this great city. On the top of my list is the strong sense of community that exists here, especially around our park. This historic green space is not only a lively gathering place for recreation seekers, it's also an active educational resource for countless schoolchildren in our neighborhoods, and at the same time a poignant reminder of the sacrifice that our forefathers endured as they fought for freedom during the British occupation of the Revolutionary War.

Friends of the Conservancy, those who support it financially, and those who volunteer, all enjoy and appreciate the effort it takes to maintain and improve Brooklyn's historic park. There are many exciting ways to get involved, including programs like It's My Park Day!, the ever-popular Halloween Festival and volunteer opportunities in the beautifully refurbished Visitor's Center, among many more. Contact us at info@fortgreenepark.org. I look forward to seeing you at the park. Happy Holidays!

Charles Jarden, Chair, Fort Greene Park Conservancy

7th Annual Halloween Festival Report

Thanks to quick action and spry and stalwart volunteers, this year’s free Halloween Festival was held on Sunday, October 29, avoiding the drenching rains and gale-force winds of Saturday’s nor’easter. Over 700 people and community organizations met in the Park for face painting, the traditional pumpkin patch and entertainment from Cirque Boom, Fusha Dance Company, Salt and Pepper Mime, scary stilt walkers and jolly jugglers. Conservancy board member Joseph Gutleber emceed the festivities, which once again was our most popular event. Headline sponsors of this year’s Festival include Nationwide Insurance, Aguayo & Huebener Realty, Clermont Armory, Chase Bank, BAM Local Development Corporation and Corcoran Real Estate. An entire list of sponsors can be found on our web site.

Fort Greene Park Rocks

Rocks of Fort Greene Park welcomed a new arrival earlier this month. The hulking 28,000 lb (14 ton) glacial erratic made headlines when it was unearthed on Park and Vanderbilt Avenues in November and now has settled in the park. The rock is 400 million years old and probably resulted from a Wisconsin Episode glacier during the most recent ice age. It is Ravenswood granodiorite, the same rock that makes up much of the bedrock of the northern shore of Queens. When the sun hits the rock, it shimmers due to the presence of quartz and mica minerals. If you would like to know more about the rock, ask at the Visitor’s Center, which is open daily from 8am to 5pm. Or ask an Urban Park Ranger during one of their programs in the park. For a list of fall and winter ranger programs, click here.

The Rangers also provide subsidized special programs for groups or classrooms. For more information about the Urban Park Rangers, visit the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation website. For a list of all the New York City Parks Department's fall events in Fort Greene Park, click here.

Rock photo provided by Jeff Sandgrund, Park Manager for Fort Greene Park. To contact Jeff, email jeff.sandgrund@parks.nyc.gov