Friends of Fraser Square Park Native Wildflower Gardens

We are the Friends of Fraser Square Park looking to raise money for new native gardens in South Brooklyn!

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The goal of the Native Wildflower Gardens Project is to completely replant the 650-square-foot, weed-ridden planting beds at the north and south ends of the park. Fraser Square Park was a former unused traffic circle of about ⅔ of an acre. The park had seen updates in the past 10 years, including new plantings, but over time and through neglect, some plantings died, and invasives began to take over.

The new planting beds are highly visible to both pedestrians and drivers, and are located at the two main entrances. The planning and implementation are broken down into several parts. The funds will go to the plant material, mulch, hoses, and educational signage.

We have designed a drought-tolerant, robust, and colorful planting scheme using 100% indigenous plants for these areas. We are partnering with Greenbelt Native Plant Nurseries, as well as a few other native nurseries, to source 500 “plug” plants. These are small but deep-rooted herbaceous perennials that are easy to establish and very cost-effective. The planting design aims to balance two often perceived oppositional goals: 1) mimicking how plants assemble in the wild, and 2) evoking beauty through color, texture, and seasonal change.

Our group will come together over the course of a few days to weed, plant, water, and mulch the new material. Michael Cafiero, a professional landscape designer, will give a presentation and provide in-situ education on the benefits of native plants, plant identification, and the design process.

Following the planting days, we will plan a series of events during the first and second years. One major type of event will focus on routine weeding, watering, and plant identification. The second major event is called a “Bio-Blitz,” where scientists and the community come together to count the species of insects found within the planting areas. Bio-Blitzes will take place later in the year once the plants are more established, with events starting late 2025 and into 2026.

Supporting the educational aspect of our mission, we will also install signage. Interim signage, while the plantings are establishing in the first year, will highlight the exciting work underway. Permanent signage will educate the community about the ecological services these plantings provide and the species growing within the park.

WHY WE'RE EXCITED:

The group sees immense potential in Fraser Square Park, a sizable and valuable greenspace in this Brooklyn neighborhood, where parks of this scale are scarce within walking distance. Given the prominent location of the planting beds at the park’s two main entrances, we believe they will not only enhance the park’s appeal but also attract more visitors and inspire greater community engagement. By volunteering to steward the park, residents can learn about ecological gardening techniques while contributing to a thriving urban greenspace.

The vibrant, four-season plantings will bring much-needed color and texture to the park, sparking joy and curiosity among park users and passersby. Additionally, these lush plantings will serve as a welcoming gateway while providing essential habitat and food sources for insects and birds. According to Cornell University, an estimated 38% to 60% of New York’s pollinators are at risk of extinction—an alarming statistic given the drastic species loss over the past century. Insects, as the foundation of the food chain, directly impact bird populations, which have declined significantly since the 1970s. Indirectly, pollinators are crucial to the production of approximately 30% of the food humans consume.

This intricate web of interconnections underscores the importance of our efforts. By cultivating a biodiverse, pollinator-friendly landscape, we hope to play a meaningful role in ecological restoration—right here in South Brooklyn!

Overall, this project represents a long-term commitment to the community and urban ecology. The funding for the first year, for which we are applying, is the foundation for its success.

OUR STORY:

Friends of Fraser Square Park began organically in 2024 when long-term locals David Rosenfeld and David Kerner met to discuss revitalizing Fraser Square Park. As an avid ecological gardener, David was eager to expand his work planting pollinator-friendly species. He contacted the NYC Parks Department, Partnership for Parks, and the Xerces Society to initiate action for the park's care.