PROSPECT PARK — FOUR MONTHS AFTER A 2-ALARM FIRE coursed through two-acres of Prospect Park’s woodland Ravine, Brooklyn’s last remaining upland forest, Prospect Park Alliance has kicked off their long-term site restoration.
On Nov. 8, 2024, a brush fire burned in the Park following the City’s longest rainless streak in recorded history. 106 Fire and Emergency Medical Services Personnel extinguished the fire later that same evening, but not before the flames had damaged all three layers of forest in the affected area, including canopy trees, shrubs and smaller midstory trees and ground cover. The location of the fire encroached on the “Forever Wild” area of the park, a section designated to rare native plants and animals. At the time of the fire, Prospect Park Alliance Director of Landscape Management Leila Mougoui Bakhtiari shared that the restoration could take several years due to the accessibility of the area and long-term care necessary for proper plant-regeneration. Prospect Park Alliance’s Landscape Management Team has been installing biodegradable brown mesh and tubes of compressed straw to hold soil in place and prevent erosion as a first step. Now, the team has begun to seed and plant the area with native species including Elymus hystrix (bottlebrush grass), Penstemon digitalis (foxglove beardtongue), Amelanchier canadensis (serviceberry) and much more to restore the three layers of flora needed for a healthy forest.
“The recent fire in the core of our beloved woodland Ravine highlighted the vulnerability of our city’s treasured green spaces. As extreme weather events become more common, the role of our parks in building climate resilience is more vital than ever before,” said Prospect Park Alliance President Morgan Monaco. “We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support that has enabled Prospect Park Alliance to begin long-term work to restore this cherished area of Brooklyn’s Backyard. Our woodlands are a destination for respite, healing and exploration, and we thank our community for supporting the Alliance’s work to ensure that these natural areas will be sustained for generations to come.”
To learn more about the work of Prospect Park Alliance visit their events page.
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