Spring has officially sprung in Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn

Burst of color thanks to Parks Department, volunteers and Mother Nature

April 29, 2024 Mary Frost

This monumental sculpture by Charles Keck at the Brooklyn War Memorial in Cadman Plaza Park has seen 73 springs come and go since she was dedicated in 1951. Blooming next to her is a magnificent Japanese Flowering Cherry. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

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Spring burst out all over in Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn in recent weeks with cascades of tulips, trees suddenly in bloom, vegetables piled high in the farmers market and sweaters coming off seemingly overnight.

A stunning Japanese Flowering Cherry next to the monumental sculpture by Charles Keck at the Brooklyn War Memorial is full of double-clustered pink flowers. Tulipa Double Early ‘Columbus’ tulips are blooming in planters in front of Brooklyn Borough Hall, brightening the plaza for passersby and skateboarders. And colorful tulips are running riot in Cadman Plaza Park’s Juneteenth Grove and in front of the Supreme Court building, all thanks to the Parks Department and volunteers with the Cadman Park Conservancy.

Tulips galore brighten up Cadman Plaza Park’s Juneteenth Grove. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

Brooklyn Horticulture Supervisor Anil Chandrakumar picked out the colorful bulbs for Juneteenth Grove, and Parks Department Gardener Jessica Kulig planted them, Conservancy President Doreen Gallo told the Brooklyn Eagle.

Tulipa Double Early ‘Columbus’ tulips have burst into bloom in front of Brooklyn Borough Hall, brightening the plaza for passersby and skateboarders. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

Conservancy volunteers mulched the flower beds in the grove along with the 19 flowering trees (Cercis canadensis – Eastern rosebud) planted to honor the 19th, along with tree beds surrounding the athletic field. (Eastern rosebud flowers grow directly from their trunks and branches — check them out!)

The farmers market in Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza is full of spring vegetables and herbs. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

Mulchfest volunteers included students from Packer Collegiate High School, St. Francis College, The Service Collective and members of YAI, which provides services for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities.