The Fort Greene Park Conservancy is pleased to announce that the historically sensitive restoration of the Prison Ship Martyrs Memorial at the top of Fort Greene Park has begun.

After nearly 10 years of fundraising, preparation, and planning on behalf of the Fort Greene Park Conservancy and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the crypt, Doric column, urn, bronze eagles and granite light shafts will be restored to their original beauty. The work is expected to take 18 months to complete and will focus on stabilizing the existing masonry, conserving the bronze doors, plaques, and urn, re-pointing and waterproofing the structures and stairs, and returning the eagles to their rightful home at the four corners of the memorial site.

The area will be re-landscaped to reflect McKim, Mead & White’s original design. Special measures have been employed to ensure the continued good health of the Olmsted & Vaux London plane trees and the 135-year-old elm. All of the trees will be pruned as needed, and under-planted with groundcover. The drainage system in the central plaza will be reconstructed and erosion control measures will be taken along the base of the walls.

The monument restoration is complemented by the newly renovated Fort Greene Park visitor center. The center, which houses bathrooms (with new baby-changing stations), is open to the public every day and features fascinating information about the Prison Ship Martyrs, as well as the flora and fauna of the park.

There are additional restoration projects taking place throughout the park. Most notable, the main lawn at DeKalb and Washington Park has been aerated, augmented and hydro-seeded convert it back to a green space. We request your patience and cooperation in respecting the new growth and ask that you do not remove the fence.