"My objection is entirely to that part of the proposal that would remove the old trees. Deforestation is a scourge on the planet, and, along with climate change, it constitutes a grave threat to the future well-being of all living creatures. Cutting down a few trees might seem like a drop in the ocean, but wearing a paintbrush mustache and walking in a goose-step would have been purely symbolic, another drop in the ocean, in 1939--doing it should still be a cause for great shame and an act of personal irresponsibility. I love the old trees in that park. They should stay. Chopping them down sends out a horrible message."

"No community input????!!!! I am a taxpayer and I go to Fort Greene Park daily. Trees, shade and green space are the primary attraction. No impact study? No climate study? Spreading false or misleading information on the condition of the trees? This is a travesty. The residents of Ft. Greene, the Navy Yard houses and new buildings such as Brooklyn Point need this to remain the green sanctuary that was intended by it's creators."

The one thing we had was a beautiful shady tree area... The Parks Department plans to take that away from us... They leave us with nothing.

"So we don't get heating in the winter, we have scaffolding that stays up for years on our buildings, we have ceilings that fall down on our beds, black mold in our bathrooms and lead in our water. The one thing we had was a beautiful shady tree area to share with our friends, children and our families. The Parks Department plans to take that away from us and give it to the new wave living in the expensive high rises down the street. They want to open it up to commercial ventures and kick us out. They leave us with nothing. Me and my neighbors are so upset about this."

As a Fort Greene mother and dermatologist...this corner of the park provides much needed shade to the children's playground - vital in the summer to prevent overheating and skin cancer.

"As a Fort Greene mother and dermatologist, I am concerned with the lack of shade provided by the mature trees if they are removed. This is not only environmentally deleterious, but this corner of the park provides much needed shade to the children's playground - vital in the summer to prevent overheating and skin cancer. Without the shade, comfortable (and skin safe) use of the playground is drastically limited to the early morning and later afternoon hours. The only other playground in the park, located at the Dekalb/Washington Park corner, lacks adequate shade."

"We need more shaded structures over playgrounds, and intergenerational playscapes would be a wonderful addition to the park."

"My children learn in the nature of this park. They have Forest School there weekly. Learning about the trees and the ecosystem. How do I explain that you killed 58 or 71 trees to put street vendors in their place? What about the animals? What about the cool shade in the summer, what about rain runoff? I hate this form of gentrification. You are taking the nature away and replacing it with consumerism and cement."

"The Park is currently the most user friendly enjoyable park in New York City. It makes absolutely no sense to change it, especially without adequate input from the community. It seems like an effort by a newer community in this neighborhood attempting to sanitize the area and make it more to their liking without taking into account the people who have been enjoying it just the way it is for a very long time."

the new plan looks militant and cold

"I love the park and the way it functions successfully everyday proves that it's design is good. I would hate to see historic details deleted and beautiful trees destroyed - the organic nature of the way it looks now is really nice. The new plan looks militant and cold in comparison."

"Keep the trees, add more flower beds, replace walkways in the park. Renovate the kids park and Basketball park. Restore old borders, steam clean the rocks. The historical nature feel of the park needs to remain. It compliments the surrounding brown stones in the area, which is a Historical Landmark."

"It's the quiet spots of the park that are loved. While the Brooklyn skyline becomes ruined by high-rises Ft Green Park becomes a haven to those looking for warmth from the sun or to stretch their legs. These new plans are barren, lacking emotion."

"This plan is so f**king ugly and unnecessary. how this passed any sort of processes is beyond me. The City clearly doesn't have the interests of its residents or the environment at heart. What a waste of money. They suck"

"Do not cut down the trees and make this a generic space like Williamsburg & the rest of NYC!!!!!!!!!! Originality is EVERYTHING"

process not open enough; misinformation; lack of thorough cost-benefit analysis

"There are three - out of many if I have to choose to focus - mot important points here: 1) the process of decision-making (not open or democratic enough); 2) misinformation or insufficient information about the impact of the new design, especially re 58 tree elimination; and 3) lack of thorough cost-benefit analysis (social, cultural, environmental health factors included) with sufficient public out-reach magnitudes and legibility."

"Not familiar enough to comment but I agree with the folks who love and use the park everyday. They should be the ones to help with the design. Make it the community project it should be, and I am never for cutting down trees! This seems like a tragedy, especially in view of the rapidly changing climate we are facing and the need for carbon capture and shade!!!!"

Removal of these trees seriously degrades the Park

"The proposed design doesn’t follow the Parks w/o Borders initiative to make parks more accessible and oversteps its focus on edges. It appears to be a poor design and focuses on the view of the monument from Myrtle rather than on actual usage and experience of the park. I am primarily disturbed by the removal of Zelkova trees on the monument steps and their replacement by a few ornamental trees. Shade on this large expanse of stone steps is very important for accessibility. Climbing up all these steps in the hot sun will not be fun. Removal of these trees seriously degrades the Park and the lush view toward Manhattan from the monument plaza. Such a drastic change to one of New York’s best parks needs a lot more design sensitivity and study. I’m an architect and have designed landscapes. I also know top landscape architects in the city that may be able to lend their expertise."

"more concrete = more greenhouse gases. more trees = more oxygen and shady, storm water sequestration, more health and peaceful community. "

"I think Parks without Borders should take their plaza and put it elsewhere. plenty of other spaces in the community could use enhancement. The park is wonderful as is. I visit DAILY and have never wanted a plaza or a promenade in the park. The gardens, green expanses, and trees in the park are a welcome natural element in our neighborhood."

"Please don't ruin this historic site with a featureless and pointless concrete area. Parks are Parks. That's where trees go. Streets and sidewalks that's where the concrete goes. Simple"

"Trees are a rare and precious resource in our city!!! We have plenty of generic concrete; preserve the historical modicum of nature that's made Fort Greene what it is."

Concrete takes an afternoon to pour, trees take decades to mature.

"I would appreciate seeing efforts made to preserve the existing greenery in the parks. It's a major reason people visit the parks in a large metropolitan area where outdoor space is hard to come by. Concrete takes an afternoon to pour, trees take decades to mature."

Children (especially working class kids that don't have the privileges of a gentrified existence) will grow up never having the comfort and connection to nature

"This plan will bring more destruction, pollution, traffic, drugs, and prostitution, more misery. Children (especially working class kids that don't have the privileges of a gentrified existence) will grow up never having the comfort and connection to nature, to something bigger, to some greater mystery of life, that cannot be found anywhere more profoundly than in nature. Can we afford more destruction of our global and local ecological systems?

Depriving birds, children and adults of natural beauty because of the HUMAN encroachments of money, greed and ego; No amount of money can replace the pricelessness, of over 5300 years in total the trees have given to us, not taking, with no desire to destroy us.

Is this the best we have as humans?€? to murder these sentient beings. Is it that you cannot hear them scream? Is that you cannot understand that the whole park will grieve? Is it that you cannot feel their love? SHAME ON YOU!!!! It is 2019 and all you have is concrete?€? How unimaginative to believe this is an improvement.

There will be a lot of suffering and the original vision of the architects to create a haven, will be turn into ANOTHER meeting place where people look at pictures of trees on their phones in the burning sun and drink cola with our own best natures forgotten.

BTW the park has been wheel chair accessible for years. -- TreePal."

"Maintain the historic beauty of our park without gutting it."

"The existing entrances should be truly accessible. Do not remove stone walls unless it is necessary to remove a small portion to add a ramp. Leave mounds in place. Children love playing on them. Maintain the historic beauty of our park without gutting it."

"While I agree that all entrances to FGP should be wheelchair usable, I would like the mounds to stay as they are. The one nearest the stairs makes a good stage for events such as the Great Pupkin contest and various concerts. Kids love playing on them. Let them stay!"

"Removing trees is a bad idea. You cannot really replace with other trees. The older trees are historic and some irreplaceable from what I've read. Secondly, the mounds: while they may seem odd, they're historic too. I wouldn't want them removed but in the spirit of compromise, I'd rather see them removed and replaced with more trees or more benches, tables or flower beds. Give the park more green not less. Give the residents on Myrtle more space to eat or play in the park, not less. The pictures shown give that entrance to the park and very grand and lofty look but that big concrete walkway isn't usable park space. Removing trees for that? If I'm understanding the changes correctly, just, NO."

"More grass. More green. Not more pavement. Not fancy things just to look fancy."

"More intimate spaces "enclosed" by trees. Places to sit at tables, benches in the shade, areas for placing blankets in shade. No trees should be removed. We need them for clean air and shade and to have places to feel a tiny bit of privacy. More grass. More green. Not more pavement. Not fancy things just to look fancy. People use this park as their backyard. We should think of the park this way, not as a promenade."

"I think access can be improved to the monument without removing mature trees. Improvements can be made to existing features of the park without completely changing to character of it."

this is an opportunity to make real improvements that would be appreciated by the community and park users, and it is being wasted.

"I don't understand the rationale behind their proposal. How badly needed is more event space? Are there not other improvements that would make a bigger difference for everyday use of the park? It feels like this is an opportunity to make real improvements that would be appreciated by the community and park users, and it is being wasted. Closing that section of the park for years in order to flatten a couple of mounds doesn't seem to add any value for anyone. Also- shouldn't they first replace the trees that have been removed recently??"

it's not true that the mounds don't get used. Kids love to play on them

"I work across the street from the park and visit it several times a week. I am opposed to removing healthy trees or to adding any more concrete space in the park. I feel that only unhealthy trees should be removed and repairs done to concrete/ asphalt where needed, including accessibility upgrades. The city needs as much green space as it can get! Also, it's not true that the mounds don't get used. Kids love to play on them, and once a theater company used one to perform songs from the musical Beautiful while the audience sat on the steps."

"a small park... does not need a grand avenue made of concrete."

"Using nature to create features such as a hedge maze, wooden play structure."

"More trees, shrubs and flowers - this is a small park that should serve as a recreational green space; it already has a beautiful staircase leading up to the monument and does not need a grand avenue made of concrete. This will greatly decrease the park's value."

"Proposed design looks big and corporate, I want one that has lots of sunny and shady spots more gardens, jogging path, a place of concerts/dj or band dance parties.

"I would like to see enhanced gardens (more flowers and diverse cultivation) and restoration of existing paving/walls instead of removing trees and greenery, and limiting access to it!"

"The changes made to the east side of the park somewhat recently are great, because the greenery increased and integrated the beautiful old trees. The new (plaza) design looks like some kind of lifeless, corporate or government memorial unfortunately. Less concrete. More greenery please and thank you."

"This kind of money should fund maintaining, repairing and upgrading the present park amenities"

"WE do NOT need more pavement in the park. There is plenty already."

"The proposed plan is not user friendly. It is too vast and unsympathetic to use. particularly by children and small groups or individual adults. This kind of money should fund maintaining, repairing and upgrading the present park amenities including a serious process of adding trees and plantings which decline naturally over time and require care and maintenance. Erosion control and earth replenishment are needed. WE could also fund recreational programs within the park more generously. WE do NOT need more pavement in the park. There is plenty already."

"The Parks Without Borders process has lacked the transparency... contributed to an environment of mistrust and runs against the program's stated goal of unifying parks with their neighborhoods."

"The Parks Without Borders process for Fort Greene Park has lacked the transparency, publicity and - most importantly - the meaningful community engagement appropriate to a renovation project of this significance. This has contributed to an environment of mistrust and runs against the program's stated goal of unifying parks with their neighborhoods. It is critical that NYC Parks remedies these issues before advancing any design. Fort Greene Park is the centerpiece of our community. By allowing its community to lead in its renovation, NYC Parks will surely achieve a more favorable outcome."

"I think it is unconscionable that the Parks Dept. would EVER release a memo with redactions. This, more than anything about this process, needs to be investigated. The arrogance is mind-blowing. Reminder: You work for US."

"Find a way to address the drainage with minimal impact to the existing structures and certainly without cutting down so many trees!!"

"Why would you pave paradise?? Fix what is currently broken i.e. cracked pavement but to do what Parks without Borders suggests is wrong and a waste of money and time. Also, how can it be called Parks without Borders when the proposal appears to be adding a ton of borders? Find a different way to use the funds. Also, why is this the only corner being fixed? Have the residents of Ingersoll, Whitman and Kingsview been consulted? Who actually wants these changes made? i have a feeling it's a much shorter list (mainly consisting of those who DO NOT LIVE near the park) than those who wish the park to remain the way it is. Thank you for your consideration."

We want green plants there, not green dollar bills

"A real improvement to the park would be to add more trees and more green! The southeast end of the park is completely brown and barren. What is Parks doing to bring back the GREEN to Ft Greene park?? This is a cherished part of our neighborhood. The community should be consulted on what improvements they would like to see, not told how their park is being redesigned without their input. Also, the installation of vendor stalls is not what we need from our parks. They are one of the last non-commercial spaces left in our city!! We want green plants there, not green dollar bills"

Architectural poetics is replaced with greed.

"If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Fort Greene park is one of the best parks in the city. It has the best trees and the worst turf. Parks wants to destroy its best feature. Parks Department is literally killing itself, destroying our parks. Residents do not want what Parks is selling. Parks is trying to pull off a blatant destruction of public value in exchange for private value. They are scheming to destroying public health, the very thing they are tasked with promoting. When things just make absolutely no sense, one has to wonder where this logic is coming from. How could it be that it’s a coincidence that all this is happening as soon as new private construction occurs across the street from the Park? It’s already a tragedy that this developer tower, complete with a chiller tower on top, was allowed to be built to rival the Martyrs Monument and block views to the sunset and the river where the Prison Ships were. Architectural poetics is replaced with greed. Now Parks wants to remove decades-old, mature shade trees to further accentuate a new residential tower? They want to give better apartment views to new real estate buyers and lifeless, inhumane space to park-goers. Who does this Administration work for? Someone needs to investigate to get to the bottom of this madness." -- Citizen Architect from Fort Greene

"There is no need to remove trees and certainly no need for vendors of any kind."

"Any substitution of concrete for green is an abomination.

You may be aware of efforts to steal sunlight from 40% of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden by a high-rise apartment building on an adjacent street. In the Fort Greene as with the BBG it is a case of greedy profit-hungry contractors and real estate interests in collusion with bribe hungry politicians who care nothing for the people of Park Slope and Fort Greene. I am expecting these vultures (apologies to a contributive bird) to soon find some way to make profit out of Prospect Park. A 20-story luxury apartment building with Park lake views would be a huge profit maker. People with money are always scheming to add to their wealth no matter who it impacts."

The resulting direct views for residential developments may increase their value but diminishes the neighborhood’s quality of life and ruins our overall park design.

"An entry at the proposed site would be fine but only if it embraces Olmsted’s design goal of providing a natural and bucolic relief from urban life. A concrete plaza especially one of the size proposed is inappropriate in such a small and fragile park, one that is losing it’s mission to provide a natural green space in which to escape the hard realities of the city, not to mention warming weather. Trees, grass and underbrush are much needed and more appropriate. Serving people’s basic needs is far more important that providing more visibility of the monument which can be seen upon entering. The resulting direct views for residential developments may increase their value but diminishes the neighborhood’s quality of life and ruins our overall park design."

"Flat paving the plaza and removing so many trees is a terrible idea and completely antithetical to the original design vision of the park, and of course, it will impact the low income communities on that side of the park the most."

"They don’t seem to have a clue on how urbanism for people actually works."

"This plan to cut down huge numbers of Park shade trees is coming from the same administration that wanted to rid Time Square of street performers by turning the pedestrian promenades into vehicular thoroughfares. They don’t seem to have a clue on how urbanism for people actually works." -- Confused from Fort Greene

"this wonderful old part in the midst of the remaining architecture from the 19th century."

"I believe very strongly that all possible should be done to maintain/restore the original, unique, elegant, and historic design of this park...including doing all possible to save its mature shade trees. Plenty of new residential towers have been added to this historic area recently, so the 21st century is now being fully represented without raping this wonderful old part in the midst of the remaining architecture from the 19th century."

"not this current flawed, politically driven proposed design by Parks Without Borders by an unknown landscape architect"

"The process is flawed. There should be a design competition open to the world's best landscape architects to submit competing designs to the NYC Parks Dept and involved public officials, community boards and general public for review. The winning design should be submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for review, not this current flawed, politically driven proposed design by Parks Without Borders by an unknown landscape architect."

"Appropriate design covers needs of current and future local users, storm water management. Best to avoid antique historic design that seems less likely to address erosion , soil conservation and noise and light pollution that can emerge for the new proposal."

"No more concrete! This is a hideous design! There is already too much concrete in Brooklyn suffocating our interaction with nature."

"I don't think the large open processional walkway is in keeping with the historic Olmsted character of the park. I also am opposed to the removal of so many large trees."

"I think there needs to be more areas that are periodically protected and planted with greenery which help the erosion. People do respect these areas. There needs to be more planting so that the roots can help with the water run-off. There could be improvement with the entrance near the hospital as the steps are quite dangerous."

"The process stinks"

"The process stinks in that I'm just hearing about it and it seems it has already been approved. I think the trees should be preserved and the walls around the park should stay in tact. I'm not a huge fan of the mounds but as they have some historic value I can see keeping them as well."

"I happen to really like the corner they are proposing to renovate. I do agree it needs some work, but the removal of the trees is unacceptable. They are one of the best parts of the park."

"I'm not against change or a new entrance, but it seems more conversation with the community about something that preserves the park's trees and also updates the site can be done."

"The mounds should be restored with their original wooden benches and maintained."

"Of course I'm pleased to see money and thought being invested into a park I love and use very often, but the proposed design suggests removing one of the defining characteristics of Ft.Greene Park - the A.E.Bye grass mounds. The mounds should be restored with their original wooden benches and maintained. They are a unique and historic feature of our park. They are so much more effective as a design element in that space than an open promenade would be. Just look at promenades around NYC; Brooklyn Heights, the open space by the Court Houses at Boro Hall, the Literary Walk in Central Park - These straight, open spaces are enjoyable to pass-through but they don't promote gathering and small group activities the way the existing A.E. Bye mounds do. My two cents: restore the mounds, integrate handicapped access to the existing entry points, save all trees, add grilling stations, resurface basketball court, dig out fallen tree roots, plant grass/perennials, fix both entry steps by Brooklyn Hospital (an embarrassment to our city), install a proper, level soccer area on the south east lawn, repair the ongoing flooding issue along Washington Park (another embarrassment) and incorporate a designated dog run so that all park users don't have to deal with dog remnants. Those are some of the things that I think $10.5 million could help. Thank you for your efforts in promoting a true public process and for providing the opportunity for me to speak out about the direction of our park, Ft.Greene Park."

"Lovely video and wonderful park.

Loved the comment that changing it would be akin to the changes made to Rome by Mussolini. Or painting a bright smile on the Mona Lisa. If the NYC Parks Department wants to really think about their slogan, Parks Without Borders, instead of ruining a masterpiece, why don't they simply take care of the parks we have? Why don't they open up school playgrounds to families during weekends? Why not, radical idea, simply build more parks? And real parks not development parks that contain private housing (i.e. Brooklyn Bridge Park which could have been a great park and is now a gaze and go park)."

"There are too many impermeable surfaces in the Parks Without Borders proposal- and too many mature shade trees destroyed in the process- How are they mitigating and managing storm water runoff and the myriad of benefits of the trees they propose to take away?"

"They should upgrade/repair the existing structures and add a ramp to the existing steps from Myrtle."

"Keep healthy trees, don't add pavement unless ADA access issue. Work with community."

"It is shocking that we haven't fixed the Dust Bowl. It infuriates me. I've lived here for 15 years, and it has gone from dusty bowl to complete sand pit. It actually makes me go to the park less. I'm a soccer player and have participated in those games but we can't ignore it any longer. The lawn should be blocked off and re-seeded until it's lush like Central Park Sheep's Meadow, so everyone in the neighborhood can use it. I mean, really..."

"I would like to see the old growth trees maintained. Those trees are visited by woodpeckers and red tailed hawks, birds that bring awe to urban dwellers."

"I'd like the existing park features to be refurbished and updated. Preserve the trees!"

"Fixing the bathrooms and water fountains would be good. Adding something soft to the pavement so it isn't so harsh on the feet. Trees are always nice. More basketball and fitness stuff is always nice, too."

"Invest money in projects that are truly needed in Brooklyn"

"The park is perfect just the way it is. It just needs better bathrooms. Do not touch it's beautiful trees. Invest money in projects that are truly needed in Brooklyn, such as better housing for those in need. Leave the trees alone!!!"

"Trees are important. they have been there longer than us, and help us. Don't kill them."

"Do not remove mature trees or permeable grass areas to put down pavement!"

"No transparency and no community input is outrageous!"

"Simply repair cracked pavements and improve playing courts and playground equipment. Absolutely NO tree removal needed: we need shade, not concrete!"

"I don't want ANOTHER big construction project in the neighborhood. Especially in the park I use almost every day and am perfectly happy with AS IS."

"They need to make improvements AROUND the existing green landscapes, not destroy what is there."

"The choice of the area seems racially motivated and extremely disruptive to the communities that use it most, especially the projects."

"The millions earmarked and the lies told by PWB signal corruption on some level: investigate and stop them now before damage is done! Hold public hearing in the park and announce them widely. Make sure that black community leaders and park users are involved in the decision making. Make sure that every dollar is tracked that will benefit contractors, politicians, Parks people pushing this. Get the mayor involved, as well as Brooklyn politicians, Laurie Cumbo, Tish James, Walter Mosley and seek their public statements."

"The hills and trees there do not need to be removed for flat open space."

"There's too much hardscaping. The proposal is contrary to the City's green initiative to create more plantings and reduce stormwater runoff. And the decision-making process is, of course, opaque."

Would love for there to be less racial divide within the park

"I would love more lights in certain areas. Particularly around the tennis courts and the back of the park towards the hospital. Would love for there to be even more benches along the walkways. Would love for there to be less racial divide within the park itself, but I don’t see that changing. Would also love off leash hours at night to be 7 in the winter months. No one is out there. A better workout station would be great. Perhaps an extra one. I love the park. Please don’t mess it up." Xo

"None has the right to take life from our park."

"Not everything in life has to look so manicured and regal. The park is for the people. No one has a right to redesign it to their liking at the cost of trees. While government denies climate change, the people are waking to see the environment as something that must be protected, especially in a city where fresh oxygen is desperately needed. None has the right to take life from our park."

"We all live in an urban environment. What is most needed is peace, shade, green, quiet; as an antidote to the daily onslaught of Ainsley overload and nature deprivation."

"I really don't want to see any trees cut down if possible. The age, majesty and shade of them should be preserved as much as possible."

"The park is AMAZING as-is! I'm shocked that they want to completely destroy the amount of green. It's a haven for us during the summer and winter months!"

This is a lovely old park. NYC heritage. Let it live and grow.

"I love the park so I do not have any immediate ideas for what should be changed, but it definitely should not be made less green."

"the mounds... are visually more interesting than a flat concrete avenue"

"More green areas, not more concrete - the whole city is concrete, the park is supposed to be grass and trees. And cutting down that many trees is criminal. The water fountain is a nice idea, otherwise the proposal lacks imagination and reduces much of what makes the park unique and special, especially the removal of the mounds, which are a unique feature utilized by many for exercise, play spaces for children, and are visually more interesting than a flat concrete avenue leading to the monument."

"Should NEVER cut down trees unless diseased. ALWAYS plant more"

"turning our park into an ugly business-looking mall isn't the answer."

"We have a very special park and members of many different communities come to use it - scrubbing the north area of the park closest to the projects seems really f*cked up. The trees deserve to live, the trees deserve to be cared for in the best way, but turning our park into an ugly business-looking mall isn't the answer. And if they threaten to tear down my favorite tree in the park I?€?ll stage a live-in protest."

"The trees in FGP are some of the oldest and most valuable in the city. I would like to see them keep the old trees and maximize green space."

"it is a waste of money to destroy the park, this money can and should be put to other use."

"It destroys the original park design. Not in keeping with the original design of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. This plan make the park look too commercial and destroys the peace and tranquility of the park in its present layout. In addition, it is a waste of money to destroy the park, this money can and should be put to other use. Why fix what is not broken?"

"No cutting down of mature trees!"

"I don't know the park well enough to contribute specific ideas, but I can say that I find the PWB proposal to be distasteful and a potential waste of resources."

"stop paving everything and fencing in green space! A horrible trend I see all over the city. NYers need spaces to get in touch with the earth not just look at it."

"I'm not sure but I think input from the ACTUAL users of the space is critical. I also think historical preservation is essential as well. I don't know what the best plan is (as I am not a heavy user of this part of FG park) but this doesn't look or feel right, much like most of the development happening in our community. I have lived in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill for 17+ years and feel it is sad to see what is happening in our neighborhood i.e. over development, loss of community values, etc. And, stop paving everything and fencing in green space! A horrible trend I see all over the city. NYers need spaces to get in touch with the earth not just look at it. Also, let's talk about how fixing up that part of the park wasn't a priority until all of the development rolled in on the Myrtle side of the neighborhood. Let's also talk about how many parks in poor communities throughout the city are in disrepair, some even dangerous, but the parks department is going to prioritize making FG Park "fancy"?"

"People love to picnic and sit out in this exact location you are proposing to pave."

"The trees there are so beautiful, and are one of my favorite places to go in the fall. The proposal says this side of the park is underutilized but I'm not sure what that means, there are always many people there. People love to picnic and sit out in this exact location you are proposing to pave. My children love playing on the mounds. People are always exercising on the shady steps and in the exercise park and basketball court. What happens to those? Perhaps what you mean is underutilized by white Ft. Greene residents? That may be true but it is richly utilized by the many people who live on that side of the park. Ft. Greene Park is highly segregated in its use. Maybe that is the question that should be asked. This is not the answer to that question. Many people's apartments face this change, have they been consulted about how they would like the view from their buildings and block to look? I am sure this step would happen if changes were proposed on the significantly more expensive Washington Park and DeKalb side. Finally. Trees are plants that have a much longer timeline than humans. As the trees there are about my age and I am halfway through my life, I'd say they have a while to go still. In fact google puts Norway Maple lifespans at 100 years. Let's let them live and keep providing beauty and clean air for residents."

"Honor the trees and green space, protect and nurture it."

"I wish there was a clean open lawn to picnic on but I love the old trees and historic aspect of the park"

"Whatever the change it should be safe, accessible, and full of trees for health & shade, green space for enjoyment and for ensuring rainwater is captured and not contributing to runoff and sewer outfall."

"the removal of green space and these beautiful trees is a terrible idea!!!!"

"The broken sidewalk and park pathway paving should be replaced and the stairs can be replaced by a ramp or ramps. The approach to the monument can be improved by means of added signage and interactive exhibits, and the circular area should be cleaned up and replanted. However, the removal of green space and these beautiful trees is a terrible idea!!!!"

"The new design is all concrete"

"The new design is all concrete and designed only to focus on a man-built monument - this is NOT what our community wants or needs! The process was deceptive, promising MORE green space, not less. Such a terrible misuse of public funds when more green space is so desperately needed in this community."

"Please please please do not cut down any healthy trees!!!!!! That is my major problem with this proposal. Thank you."

"Fort Greene Park is pretty perfect as is with the exception of the bathroom situation."

"I think Fort Greene Park is pretty perfect as is with the exception of the bathroom situation. Those could definitely stand to be improved. It would be nice if the one at the visitor center were available more consistently too."

"Improve what is existing, and retain the old features.

"They didn't tell the neighborhood residents of Myrtle Avenue, nor the new families in the new high rises. 80% of the people don't know. Take a simple survey and find out."

"The PWB proposal is awful. leave the trees alone."

"I would like to see better grass for sitting and lounging. a dog park to limit dog poop."

"It’s a unique park. Please don’t destroy it’s charm."

"I think the park is wonderful the way it is. If pavement could be renovated/fixed - the soccer field reseeded and the bathrooms updated - that would be fab. Maybe some more benches. That’s it. I am from Switzerland and we love our old trees and romantic parks. It’s a unique park. Please don’t destroy it’s charm."

"they paved paradise, put up a parking lot"

"I would like to have the park accessible to all people of all abilities. The trees should remain-- don't take down mature trees as shade is precious, as is the home to all of the wildlife."

"Please don't cut any trees down!"

"Cleaning up the park is a great idea, but cutting down the trees is not!! It's a park! Its whole purpose is to provide a bit of nature in this great, but concrete-filled city."

"Communicate to the public what is happening at the park with visual signs all around the park"

"I like to sometimes birdwatch in FG park. Less trees means less landscape and shelter for birds."

"I think David does a good job at the park, but if there is extra money to spend, I advocate using it to hire Ms. Maxine full-time; she is the best gardener they have ever had. Also, I don't advocate cutting down healthy trees and removing these historical burial mounds just so that the people moving into the new downtown condos can see the monument from their balconies. Keep the trees, keep the park cool and make renovations for the people who use the park, and amenities for those living in Walt Whitman houses, who rely on this green space."

"I think the park could be better maintained and cleaned up, but I definitely do not think the trees and landscape should be removed and replaced with concrete walkways and plaza. That would truly be a tragic loss."

"Taking trees down to add more concrete spaces makes no sense."

"Any renovation must take into account the current vegetation. Some of these trees are decades old. Taking trees down to add more concrete spaces makes no sense."

"I would like to see all of the original aesthetic preserved while maintaining functionality."

"Keep as much grass and shade as possible. We live in a city of cement and need less of it. Parks are the only place many of us see grass and can sit in the shade of a tree. Keep all healthy trees!!!!"

"Keep those beautiful trees! The park is being well cared for. Love Max, the Gardner. And the rest of the parks people too. Am there every day with my dog. I will pass this on to as many dog people as I can."

"Mature trees and green space. The city is paved enough."

"More bathrooms"

"No changes! Keep the trees!!!"

"Please don't kill trees. Please allow BBQ to continue. Please move green market to Myrtle Ave."

"Save the trees!"

"The community should have been given consideration and allowed input."

"The playground could use some renovation but we should maintain all of the trees at all costs!"

"There needs to be a proper proposal and engagement with the public."

"Very unhappy with the proposed changes. Leave our park the way it is! Taking away grass and huge trees that provide much needed shade, relaxation, and beauty to make way for a large cement, heat-generating plaza is disgraceful. It also shows a real lack of concern for the local park users' physical and mental health. Let this part of the park stay peaceful, serene, and green!!"

"More than ever our cities need green spaces and heat sinks. The proposed plaza is shortsighted and harmful to the resilience of the neighborhood."

"We want the park to have as much greenery and as little concrete as possible. This is a place to relax and enjoy a respite from city streets full of concrete. The park is for the community to enjoy the way they want - not to be monetized and changed by developers who ignore public opinion. This is still a democracy."

"Always save trees. We need them to breathe"

"The work that was done by the Willoughby entrance is beautiful. The plantings on the hillside are a marvel. The plantings on the South Portland entrance are beautifully done as well. To remove 71 healthy trees to create a plaza on the Myrtle side of the park is a crime. Our neighborhood needs more trees and more park space - not more hardscape. How can you justify removing 71 trees with climate change ravaging our environment?"

"Sounds like an excuse to give money to contractors. Just making changes for the sake of spending money instead of making improvements. Better to spend the money on improving the lawns."

"The process seems opaque and it is unclear what problems the proposal is trying to solve. The park is beloved. I would propose fixing some of the existing walksways, improving drainage and reinforcing the outer rim dirt path for the runners. If the goal is to change the park entry point on that corner, which is a fair idea, I propose we do so without major changes to the existing features, walkways and trees and attempt to do a minimally invasive, cheaper, and more expedient construction process."

"Putting more trash cans and taking care of the lawns, maybe putting flowers to some is more than enough. The park doesn't have a problem with needing renovation, it just needs to be cleaned."

"Save mature, beautiful trees; less concrete (don't want a skateboarding plaza)"

"I'm interested in 1) hearing from other people in the neighborhood , especially on the Myrtle st side and 2) as many trees as possible"

"I am strongly against the removal of any trees!"

"NO MORE CONCRETE AND WE DON'T NEED A GRAND WALK BUILT TOWARD THE MONUMENT. THE MONUMENT IS VERY VISIBLE!"

"I visit the park every day with my dog. The continuing efforts to beautify the park with improved landscaping and gardens has been fantastic. But changing the original design of the park, taking away trees, and scrapping the amphitheater is not okay. The Parks Commission should make a greater effort to make these decisions more inclusive and transparent with the surrounding community."

"First, I prefer a transparent, not hidden, process that reaches out to the community through media. Second, leave the park the way it is. We need trees to breathe, not more cement and vendor booths. We need borders to ensure that the park remains a refuge from the streets and commercial activities."

"Whatever they do or change, healthy mature trees must not be harmed or cut down. It’s outrageous to take away tress which are a scarcity in the concrete city to add more concrete."

"Preserve the park and its trees and its existing elegance."

"Mature trees are in such short supply in the city and we should preserve all healthy trees whenever possible."

"I wish there was more green in the park! More trees more plants!! Not less!"

"A park should be as natural as possible."

"I am all for restoring the park's lawns and infrastructure maybe doing something about that soccer dust pit in the middle but this secret proposal does not look good. It will take 20 years for the replacement trees to provide the shade that the Parks proposal depicts. Remember the park is also a burial ground. Are they going to put a skate board run down that plaza too?"

"I think the money would be better used somewhere else."

"I understand this will create a skateboard park... that really can’t be done elsewhere???"

"Keep the original authentic look, repair what have been damaged for decades. Add some new elements inside of the park for kids and adults. Smooth out the runway paths and create a "Separate" area for a Dog park. Other than that the residents of Fort Greene has no problem the way Fort Greene park is already."

"Lights on the basketball court"

"Stop creating more waste by doing unnecessary construction"

"Leave the park alone"

"Keep the original design and the beautiful trees!!!!"

"Renovations are good, but dont take the trees away...work around it and compromise with the people."

"I don't know a lot about the process FGPWB has taken, but anything that doesn't involve complete transparency and total community involvement is unacceptable. Frankly, I see no reason to make a change. I've lived in FG since 1985, and I've used the park almost every day over the ensuing years. That area of the park at Myrtle and St. Edwards is lovely, and I have spent much time there...at the adjacent children's playground for my children, and the pathways and grassy areas to walk my dogs. The proposed open design, with fewer trees doesn't fit the character of FGP, which is magical with the densely packed foliage. I don't know what or who to believe about the health of the trees, but my suggestion would be to take down those that are at the ends of their lives and form a hazard, but replace them with young, healthy trees. It doesn't need a redesign to do that. I don't know who Parks Without Borders is, or what their ultimate aim is, but any redesign of the park should have complete involvement from those who actually use it!"

"It seems like they'll just go do whatever they want to do. Look what happened to Admiral's Row."

"Use the renovation money to repair what's there. It's a revolutionary war monument. It shouldn't look like a mall parking lot in Cleveland."

"Non invasive upgrades to preserve the history and integrity of the park. Update drainage, beneficial landscaping to support wildlife and provide more privacy for people hanging out, upgrade bathrooms. Perhaps an area near the bathrooms to inform people on the history of the neighborhood/community avent area."

"The community must be involved and listened to, please."

"The Parks without Border proposal is an abomination."

"Keep the trees!"

"KEEP THE TREES!! Don’t add more pavement which will only make it hotter in the summer."

I would actually like to see a real effort to involve the surrounding community a bit better.

"I would actually like to see a real effort to involve the surrounding community a bit better. Let THE PEOPLE know what's going on in their community without any misleading information. We need to keep as many trees as we can in Brooklyn. This is a large part of what makes our borough a beautiful one."

"Tree-friendly, not more concrete"

"The park is for nature to thrive and be enjoyed by it's guests. We already have plenty of asphalt and cement everywhere else. Do NOT cut down any trees, please."

Stop ruining Brooklyn!

"I don’t think trees should ever be sacrificed for a developers vision. Community input should be elicited well before a design process takes place. It is clear that the community is not on board and that this design is meant to appease new development participants. People live here already. We matter! In a climate changing environment, the thought of sacrificing LIVING TREES is an affront to anyone’s sensibility. Stop ruining Brooklyn!"

"Do not remove any trees! Renovate where needed. Provide seating."

"Enhance the green space, minimize the pavement."

"Do NOT remove healthy trees! In addition to benefiting the park and everyone who visits it, trees are essential for combating global warming. Do not ruin this park!"

"seems to have been planned in semi-secrecy--that's wrong"

"Less pavement, more trees & plants. It’s a park! Jeez."

"I think the city has more important priorities to spend the $ on..."

"Green space to gather and play, area for dogs, mature trees"

"I like the park the way it is except I think they need to let the grass regrown on the main lawn."

"Keep the trees and all nature. Brooklyn is urban enough."

"Don’t cut down trees."

"Don't get it. I'm pretty happy with the way the park is...Money should not be going to tear down trees. Parks are nature! Would rather see the bathrooms tidied up."

"The design of the park is fine as is. Aside from the removal of the trees, I also don’t see much added value in the new design - certainly not enough to justify the disruption or cost."

"I don't think I can support any plan that involves cutting down mature growth, beautiful trees to pour more concrete."

"Respect the integrity of the original purpose. Respect the dead as well stop trying change everything. Jane Jacobs would not have supported removing trees. Stop actions and inform people. Most people don't know have public hearings."

"Add trees, don't destroy any! Why is this even an issue???"

The grassy mounds at the bottom of the stairs are unique and interesting.

"I think the park is fantastic and beautiful the way it is. The grassy mounds at the bottom of the stairs are unique and interesting. I often see adults doing yoga or other exercises on the mounds and my kid loves to run around on them. There are certainly some drainage problems with parts of the park, particularly the side that faces Washington Park. But these updates are unnecessary, would require cutting down huge trees, and actually make the park less nice. Please reconsider!"

"Protect the integrity of the tombs; no skate boarding or vendors; respect is required the same as you would give Arlington in D.C. "

"I think it needs to be more green, not just grass, but more trees bushes and whatnot, I want to walk in there and feel like I've escaped the city!"

"No TREE REMOVAL! Better access, fine. But 71 trees is ridiculous. What, do you want this to look like the Fulton mall? BS"

"The concrete slabs leading up to the monument all need to be repaired or replaced. More picnic tables could be added to avoid people having to wake up at 5am to get a table. Also, the concrete at each park entrance - particularly the one across from the grocery store, need to be repaired."

" Plant more trees, not cut healthy trees down. Irregular paths in a natural landscape is nicest"

"Don't cut down trees. They can't be replaced. Don't put more cement."

This grove of trees should be protected as the sanctuary they are.

"The wholesale slaughter of trees, in these stages of climate change, is an foolish policy at best and a dangerous one. We cannot forge ahead and pretend that trees that are killed off today won't have an impact. There is tree blight in Upstate New York. There are specifics losing habitat due to climate change. Chopping down existing trees puts all of this at risk because there is no guarantee any new trees will come back or any bird/insect/animal life that depends on the existing mature trees will be able to come back. We should not be putting nature's needs, already at risk, aside for aesthetic reasons. This grove of trees should be protected as the sanctuary they are."

"I truly feel that to cut down trees without cause is a terrible thing."

"Whatever development happens, saving trees & park space is key for obvious reasons. Trees give us shade & oxygen; save them at all costs!"

This proposal is ugly, artificial, and threatens the essential character of the park.

"It's a great park as it is. Of course maintenance is needed like anywhere but we enjoy how this park is special because of how natural it is. This proposal is ugly, artificial, and threatens the essential character of the park."

"Fort Greene Park is a beautiful green space, so rare in this city. I think it is very important to keep the mature trees and leave it as it is. I treasure it, with its lack of modern polish."

I love the park. It's the whole reason I live in this neighborhood. This is a real neighborhood because of this park. I've lived in other Brooklyn neighborhoods and never felt the same sense of community across the generational, race, and economic spectrum.

"I'd like to see the steps repaired on the SW corner entrance. I'd like to see the mounds in the NW corner entrance restored. I'd like to see more trees planted to replace those that have been lost. I'd like to see drainage improved throughout. I'd like to see a replica of bronze plaque commemorating the lost revolutionary soldiers made and placed back on its original plinth. I'd like to see the historical display in the stone building updated to include the African American fighters who are commemorated outside the building. I think the whole gallery could use a historian and a curator to design the space to make it more accessible, beautiful, and informative. I'd like the bathrooms to be more modern and civilized. I'd like the park Rangers container-offices to be replaced w/ small but open permanent structure that accommodates the needs of our valued park rangers, maintenance crews and other workers, but also facilitates and formalizes interactions between Rangers, park visitors, and the community at large.

If I had some more time, I'm sure I could come up with a couple more things...

I love the park. It's the whole reason I live in this neighborhood. This is a real neighborhood because of this park. I've lived in other Brooklyn neighborhoods and never felt the same sense of community across the generational, race, and economic spectrum. The park is where this community comes together under the trees and on the lawns every day. The trees specifically provide comfort and shelter for all our neighbors. We need to keep this parks green spaces breathing and alive."

"More off leash hours and more community activities. Fixing steps in north side by hospital and more Professional (donated if possible) help helping to keep erosion at bay. Otherwise it's the reason I live here."

We need a comprehensive plan to replenish trees and grow the number of trees, not diminish them

"Maintain the park as it exists today and use the $10M to plant additional trees to create more oxygen and shade for the residents to enjoy within the park: Never, ever consider cutting down mature trees without planting trees and allowing them to grow for at least 10 years to make sure they are healthy and can substitute for an aging tree. We need a comprehensive plan to replenish trees and grow the number of trees, not diminish them."

"The process should be more open. The mayors fighting the release of the plans and reports looks like a coverup."

""This is boneheaded. Take the $10 million and use it to hire more parks workers at decent union wages. That's a win-win. A WIN for the community because it means more middle-income working families to enrich our neighborhoods and who will spend money at local small businesses. And a WIN for our parks which are terribly under-served: not enough staff to keep them clean and well-maintained.

Ten million dollars for fancy consultants and concrete vendors? I don't think so."

"Save the trees, decrease the concrete, and respect the original design."

"More lights in the flat areas we already have. It's a beautiful park and one of the main reasons we moved to this area. Please don't cut anything down and make it another sterile promenade."

"More important than cutting down trees, I'd rather they use those millions of dollars for upkeep, more park rangers, more police patrols, more family and community programs, more new trees and foliage, flowers. Re-tar the walkways, get the pieces of glass and debris that dot all of areas of grass cleaned up."

"I do not want the trees cut down to make a more impersonal park."

"I think Fort Greene Park is a beautiful park, and what makes it so beautiful is the way the landscape meanders around and the variety of plants including the beautiful large trees. The park is well kept but the corner in which they want to do a renovation could possibly use more benches to sit on, and some greenery to block the street. "

"I would like to see all mature trees left where they are and protected."

"It makes no sense to cut down beautiful historic old trees. We do not need more cement in Brooklyn. By all means do necessary maintenance , pruning and removal. But work with what is and do not remove so many trees. We need these beautiful old trees, they sustain our souls."

"The park as it is now is fine, it needs to be kept up. I've been here since 1966 and both children and grandchildren have used park."

"The proposed plaza design is so poorly thought out and does little to help improve the park. The existing plaza and trees are historic and an important design that should be preserved not demolished. "

"Trees that are established should not be cut down for the project"

"We actually need more trees and the dirt pond? near the smaller playground needs to be fixed. Let's get some more green!"

"I think that the original design was perfect. Why change it? Most likely someone is making money on it.

I LOVE the gentle hills on the ground level, the mounds. It looks so natural and gives the feeling that this was once a fort.

"I think the only thing the parks needs is regular maintenance including attention to drainage. I do not think the park as it is has to be altered to maintain it. I LOVE the gentle hills on the ground level, the mounds. It looks so natural and gives the feeling that this was once a fort. Definitely a nice addition to the original Olmsted & Vaux design. I HATE the parade-grounds type alley, 50 ft or so in width, that is planned to lead from Myrtle to the Monument stairs. Ugh. Might be easier to maintain, all that flat ground."

"I understand wanting to modernize that aspect of the park, but it is fun for the kids right now and no healthy trees should be harmed."

"I'd like to see investment that ensures a green meadow, rather than a dust bowl."

"More greenery please. We have enough concrete living in this city."

"No changes! Leave the park, the trees, the greenspace the same! "

"The area could be cleaned & improved without removing gorgeous old trees!"

"Fix and upkeep what is already there. "

The mounds also provide additional and much needed green space, a visually unique space, and an excellent space for youngsters to learn to navigate uneven surfaces and explore nature.

"Care and maintenance/repair of the existing features and trees, including 1. ensuring that the playground continues to have significant tree canopy shade, 2. Ensuring mature tree canopy cover for the park (and not an "unobstructed view" to the monument, which serves no purpose in terms of what is best for the park and park use), and 3. Preservation of the green mounds where the new plan would put a plaza. The green mounds are historic and should have maintenance done to ensure their continued safety going forward. The mounds also provide additional and much needed green space (we do NOT need any more concrete, cement or other paved surface. We DO need access to green space and dirt.), a visually unique space, and an excellent space for youngsters to learn to navigate uneven surfaces and explore nature (without fear of being buzzed by a bike, scooter or skateboarder). For so many reasons, including protection from heat (via shade), cleaner air, traffic noise reduction, and places for wildlife to reside, we need to protect and preserve the mature trees! "

"Doesn't seem worth it to risk the existing trees"

"I think the trees should be preserved, first and foremost. Such an important contributor to our city's livability. Then, I do believe it makes sense to evaluate handicap access."

"I want a sectioned off Dog Run, that is separated into 2 sections for Small & Large Dogs. It can be put in by the hospital so patients can watch the dogs from their rooms. "

"It is missing collaboration with the people who use and love the park"

"Keep trees! More natural elements, not more stone and concrete! They already ruined BBP"

Cutting down large numbers of trees is a crime against future generations.

"Protect the trees. We need them to prevent rain runoff, and they fight climate change. We don't need cement and roadways for "better policing" or more police access. We need to redistribute wealth and power so that Street crime is reduced. Cutting down large numbers of trees is a crime against future generations."

"TREES NOT MORE CONCRETE!"

"The park could use more investment in plantings, repaired sidewalks and a thru park pedestrian and bike path from the DeKalb side to the Myrtle side."

Take a more educated approach to sustainable tree care practices than destroy the park with their stupid plaza that nobody wants.

"Maybe a little beautification, repaving existing paths, maybe. Better, actual tree maintenance. I'd rather see the parks dept. Take a more educated approach to sustainable tree care practices than destroy the park with their stupid plaza that nobody wants."

"Don't remove the old trees! If anything plant more and think about building a decent size dog run. There are so many dogs in the neighborhood that needs this and they can be safe too."

"Do not remove trees and mounds. Improve recreational areas and bathrooms."

"More of what exists. Paths surrounded by plants, flowers and trees. Maybe an educational garden (thinking of the bk botanic garden) can be included in the center of the path."

Keep commercial businesses out of the park.

"I think they should preserve as many existing trees and lawns as possible. Would love a small enclosed dog run in any redesign. Keep commercial businesses out of the park."

"I love the park as it is now. I've been following this closely since the start and I'd be devastated to see these changes implemented!"

"I don't think we should remove any mature trees. The park is great as is, and I love the interesting terrain."

"The walkways do need to be improved, but I don't like the removal of the mounds. The mounts are unique features which the neighborhood citizens love to use. I also don't see gathering areas for locals to sit and congregate in the new design."

"More trees. No pesticides. Green irrigation. Clean energy used to create all this."

"I just do not want to see any tree torn down. They are a community asset and we'd be all poorer to see them go"

"Do not cut down healthy living trees!"

"I'm open to making the park more accessible, but not at the expense of the trees. There must be an interim solution we can come to."

"Love the park the way it is. Make a safer better playground for the kids. Put in filtered water fountain stations."

"I think it's great the way it is! Why would you cut down trees in a park? That's the opposite of a park"

The new plan has too much concrete, which will hold heat.

"Keep mature trees in place. They provide much needed shade and oxygen. The new plan has too much concrete, which will hold heat. The park is meant to be a refuge from concrete; a little bit of nature in the middle of the neighborhood. I'm all for planting more trees, but don't take away the ones that are already there. Also, please keep commercial businesses out of the park and add a fenced dog run. "

"Adapt the design proposal to nature, we don't have 100 years to wait for the trees to mature. Respect the design of Olmsted & Vaux."

"People enjoy the park. There are enough paths without having to cut down trees."

"No cement! Keep the mature trees!"

"Keep the park like it is! Seems no coincidence that they are trying to renovate the one section of park used for barbecues & basketball games, and which faces Myrtle and the projects. Keep the park for EVERYONE!"

The rest of the city is covered in cement and brick. I rely on the neighborhood parks like Fort Greene for rich nature in the urban landscape.

"I'd like the park trees, plants and soil to remain and taken care of to support its healthy longevity. The lawns to be mowed regularly and the mulch to be well kept. I love the natural feeling the park brings. The rest of the city is covered in cement and brick. I rely on the neighborhood parks like Fort Greene for rich nature in the urban landscape."

Architecture needs to address inclusion in its design and this proposal doesn't.

"I think keeping trees is one of the most important parts of sustainability in a major city like NYC. Keeping the temp down naturally while integrating nature is paramount. Replacing it with concrete which will heat the area more is a horrible decision. The area is also used by POC families. This proposal would displace them creating a further cultural division in our society as a whole. Architecture needs to address inclusion in its design and this proposal doesn't."

"I'm involved with East River Park in Manhattan where the city wants to rip out nearly 1000 mature trees for years of a shade-free zone. Standing with you. "

This is an elitist proposal, designed by a few people who think they should re-define 'beauty' for everyone else

"The community has not been a partner to this idea. This is an elitist proposal, designed by a few people who think they should re-define 'beauty' for everyone else, simply indulging their egos at taxpayers' expense. At the very least, an Environmental Impact Study is required regarding the unnecessary loss of a happily used greenscape and lovely mature trees to the entire community, human and avian."

"Why? Is this needed.. makes no sense at all! There are so many other parks that could use this money."

"Fort Greene Park is a historic park. We need to preserve its historic features and protect our trees!!"

"They should keep as many of the trees as they can and work around all the existing full growth trees and provide level and safe hard scales that people can use . Good designers can work with what is there and respect the original / current design without destroying the trees which are much needed and provide great cover and quality of life."

"Less concrete, keep the trees!"

This is the 21st century where everyone knows we need MORE TREES and NATURE to survive into the next century.

"We need more green and less cement. People make it work. Spend the money on planting more trees instead of paying people to cut trees down and pave stones. C'mon! This is the 21st century where everyone knows we need MORE TREES and NATURE to survive into the next century."

"Just leave it as it is- what Walt Whitman intended!"

"Do not remove a single existing tree or Belgian block /cobblestone. Anything else is fine."

"Keep the trees that are not dead."

let's not redesign the park just for the heck of it. That's a waste of resources.

"I think Fort Greene is a beautiful park. I don't think it needs a redesign. If there's something actually wrong, let's fix it. But let's not redesign the park just for the heck of it. That's a waste of resources."

"it is not only the trees, but, a poor design…the re-design could easily work around the existing trees..the park does need some renovation..but, not at the expense of the historical and importance of the original purpose of the park….not the trees which in themselves have their historical importance and provide a serenity that would not be preserved in the new design…."

"Don't shut down the entrance most used by our communities of color."

"Do not add any more concrete to a Park! Leave the grass, green space and trees! If anything, add more trees, fruit trees, and flowering plants for food and beauty, where possible. "

"Please do not eliminate trees to replace them with more concrete. We need the shade and oxygen more than anything in NYC!"

"DO NOT REMOVE THE OLDEST TREES IN THE PARK! Perform the Environmental Study, and redesign the plaza to incorporate the history of the park, the trees."

"I love the unique character of this corner of the park. To remove it and clear the trees for a promenade would negatively impact the park. This is a peaceful corner of the park. Parks Dept should study the current flow of foot traffic through this section of the park and make minor upgrades to facilitate better movement from Myrtle to Willoughby/Ashland. There isn't any flow of foot traffic to and from subway stops in that direction to justify a large promenade. Parks Dept should also conduct a drainage study to see what increased impervious surfaces will do to storm water runoff."

"To remove healthy mature trees at this time and age does not make sense.

The park does not need more concrete. I love the park as is just fine. Perhaps the playground for the kids could get some new features and be thus improved. "

ripping everything up unnecessarily for a long construction period and wasting funds for something so counterintuitive

"The original design for the park is absolutely part of the community and enjoyed by all. Removing 58 mature trees and paving over so much seems so unnecessary and will alter the beauty and character of park, not to mention ripping everything up unnecessarily for a long construction period and wasting funds for something so counterintuitive. I'm sure the park could use other small improvements which the community should be consulted on."

"I think that removing so many mature trees within the city is disgraceful and environmentally detrimental. The city is a place that needs more shade, more green, NOT more concrete. There is a way to renovate without so much destruction. Please don't cut down perfectly beautiful, air cleaning, shade producing, animal habiting trees to pour concrete."

I am concerned that this project has as its unspoken intention to "sanitize" the park of its neighbors across Myrtle Avenue.

"Get rid of the dust bowl and do more to stagger use of different areas to keep them green."

Experience nature in its natural context

"There needs to be a longer and deeper discussion with all stakeholders and experts in urban planning and environmental science and the human needs too. Experience nature in its natural context."

"Rather than spending money on the design and construction, allocate the budget to improve and maintain existing park landscape in the spirit of Frederick Law Olmsted, Calvert Vaux and Walt Whitman"

"We don't need more concrete in the park! This seems like an entirely unwanted vanity project that does not serve the community. We need trees and shade! If you want to make improvements, work on the drainage issues on the east side of the park, near the path that leads to the playground. Maintain the grass on the field on the east side of the park, so that soccer and other games don't kick up so much dust (perhaps creating a separate dog park and a separate playing field?). Add more benches for people to enjoy. Work on mosquito control near the northwest side playground. Thank you for doing what you do!"

Development for the sake of development is a step in the wrong direction, especially in one of the oldest parks in Brooklyn.

"Of course there will always need to be some mixed use in our parks so that can serve all members of our community. I do think Fort Greene Park already has provided the opportunity for mixed use throughout. With space to barbecue, basketball courts, playgrounds, sprinklers, tennis courts, benches, and ample shade and lawn space. Development for the sake of development is a step in the wrong direction, especially in one of the oldest parks in Brooklyn."

"Keeping the trees is a huge priority. The greenery is what we love about this park!"

"Mature trees add multiple health benefits to residents. An increase in impermeable surfaces is a serious concern as storms (increasing in severity due to climate change) create CSOs, dumping harmful bacteria into our waterways. We can't loose any more permeable surfaces or trees that provide ecosystem services. The plan seems designed for a reality of 70 years ago, not the current state of climate crisis. "

"I do not support taking away of any trees! instead, I would like to see more plant life and green spaces."

"Keep the mature trees. They should not be cut down. Why can't the plaza be built around them. We need these trees for clean air and shade."

"Renovations, yes. Removing green space for commercial interests, no!"

A long flat piece of concrete is not what people go to the park for, it is what they go to the park to escape from.

"Fort Greene park is one of the best parks in NY. It would be a travesty to remove any of the old trees that make this park so special. Instead of flattening areas I think it would be better to add more shape (rolling hills) and greenery to the park for people to picnic and spend time outside. A long flat piece of concrete is not what people go to the park for, it is what they go to the park to escape from."

we don't need to monetize the park when there are plenty of businesses around

"we need more green space - not concrete - on our parks. There is plenty of space in the current park for meetings, we don't need to monetize the park when there are plenty of businesses around. if we want to bring a couple of businesses, certain corners and spaces could be altered with more beautiful/charming kiosks that will offer services to park-goers."

"The trees are gorgeous. They provide much-needed share for so many people, many of them who are among the most vulnerable. Sure they can re-design the plaza if need be without cutting down these gorgeous trees. It's shameful."

"I think that removing the trees would be a terrible idea. I also think that this side of the park is a community space for people in public housing across the street and destroying or disrupting it would disrupt a vital area for community bonding."

"I don't want any trees to be cut down, nor do I want less grass. I like it the way it is, maybe the current walkways could be renovated, of course without removing the cobble stone."

"More trees, less concrete. We rely on this park as our only place to congregate the community in nature and get the closest thing we can to clean air. We need oxygen!"

"More gardens. No pavement. Absolutely no cutting down trees."

"I would like to see the existing park features simply maintained. There is absolutely no need to be removing trees and adding more concrete to our park. We should be spending money on maintaining the fields that currently exist, not getting rid of them."

"We don't need more concrete -- we need more GREEN at FORT GREENE PARK. I don't want to see any changes at Fort Greene Park, unless the changes are adding MORE TREES. "

"The park is lovely and historical as it is. Maintenance is all it needs and it certainly shouldn't involve cutting healthy trees down"

"Improve lighting for Basketball courts, spend money on the maintenance with our current trees"

"We want to build around the trees instead of cutting them!"

"Preserve, repair, enhance!"

"More trees and green areas not less!"

"Renovation is fine--making an old area refreshed is great. Destroying trees is not needed to accomplish this. Use your imagination and come up with something else. "

"cutting down trees unnecessarily in today's world, especially in a park, is so damn irresponsible."

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"I would like greenery and birds and wild life spaces. We have enough vendors and stores around the park."

"Less concrete, more vegetation. The farmer's market looks good, but I'm sure there are other suitable areas that do not require paving Ft. Greene Park."

"I definitely want to keep the trees and grass. There is plenty of concrete in this city, I love having a nearby park to help my kids feel like they are in nature. The trees help reduce the pollution from all the development nearby, please don't cut them down!"

"I think that it is a money grab. The vendors will be paying someone for a spot to sell there wares at. Follow the money. The trees give the best shade. The underbrush is a bad idea, no shade, just a place for garbage to accumulate. "

"make building, playground repairs. Please leave the trees!!"

"Just another example of fixing that we don't need."

"Modernizing and enhancing the park is great, but please not at the expense of any of the greenery. Any changes to the park should be made without harming the existing trees."

"gardens, greenery, green and safe playground equipment"

"Better upkeep of park (less trash, broken glass) and more green spaces and trees for our children to play in"

"We have little enough greenery living in a concrete jungle. It's horrendous anyone would cut down healthy trees in order to generate profits. "

"Keep the trees!!!!!!"

"If anything, there should be more trees, not less. More natural features and integration of local flora."

"It's important to have green space with trees and nature. That's more important than a marketplace in the park."

"Save the historic trees! Manhattan has enough concrete! "

"I don't think anymore trees should be taken down in the park! Keep the space green!!!"

"Fort Green Park is beautiful with its unusual features. Please do not flatten the plaza out with more sterile cement and generic plantings. Our Old trees deserve to live. The character of the park should be maintained."

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