Sustainable farm, mini golf to open this summer on waterfront

Interim use at River Ring development

April 7, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Volunteers sort through donated oyster shells that will be used to help restore oyster reefs. Photo by Rose Cohen

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A mini golf course and a sustainable farm, both of which are slated to open this summer, were announced on Tuesday as interim uses for the site of Two Trees Management’s River Ring development on the North Williamsburg waterfront.

Both attractions will be open to the public and accessible for everyone to enjoy.

“Two Trees has a long history of utilizing local talent to create interim uses for the whole community to enjoy; first with Domino Park’s North Brooklyn Farms and the skate park, and now with River Ring’s miniature golf and sustainable farm,” said Jed Walentas, principal of Two Trees Management. “We’re thrilled to build these spaces at no cost to taxpayers, with all proceeds going straight back to the organizations who are on the ground every day fighting this existential crisis [climate change].”

The miniature golf course, to be known as Putting GREEN, will be located at River Street and North 1st Street. It is slated to feature 18 holes spanning a 15,000-square-foot tiered deck on the riverfront, each designed by a different artist, design professional or community institution. Putting GREEN will be open to the public seven days a week and will offer discounted ticket prices to ensure the course is accessible to all community members.

The mini-golf course’s designs focus on several broad themes: green and blue infrastructure, animal habitat, energy and emissions. The course challenges the players to see themselves as interconnected with global and local man-made climate phenomena.

The Sustainable Farm will be a 20,000-square-foot open space dedicated to sustainable farming, composting, research and education.

The Sustainable Farm will include:

A 64-gallon bin for shell drop-off led by Billion Oyster Project. The project will be offering the public and local restaurants the opportunity to drop-off recycled oyster shells. Billion Oyster Project diverts shells from landfills and reclaims this valuable resource for the restoration of oyster reefs.
A two-hive mini apiary and a honeycomb-themed multifunctional art piece by Carolina Zuniga, Stacey Vazquez and Brenda Alvarez of the Island Bee Project. Carolina, Stacey & Brenda will offer talks, demonstrations and other hands-on, creative experiences while showcasing their mission of preserving urban bees.
An aquaponic farm by Oko Farms: The 8,000-square-foot space will include fish tanks and garden beds growing vegetables, herbs and flowers. Emphasizing the importance of local food production as a resilience measure in the face of disruption such as COVID-19, Oko Farms will teach aquaponic basics and donate crops to farmer’s markets in underserved communities.
Educational composting operation by Domingo Moralesof Compost Power: This organics processing demonstration project will include a windrow, curing bay and tool storage.
A pollinator meadow by Brooklyn Grange: A pollinator meadow planted with native flowers is being designed by Brooklyn Grange and planted and maintained by the Domino Park gardening team. The nectar- and pollen-rich meadow will also act as an important connector of the other elements of the farm’s closed-loop system of beekeeping and growing food.

● Pollinator and environmental education by City Growers: Young people in New York City often feel disconnected to nature. City Growers sponsors hands-on explorations focused on the role of pollinators and native plants that make up our city’s vibrant urban ecosystem.