Introduction of Greenwood Cemetery
This podwalk was developed by seniors at CUNY: Brooklyn College to observe the aspects of sustainability present in Greenwood Cemetery. The goal of this Podwalk is to emphasize the environmental aspects and services that the cemetery provides both as greenspace for citizens and also a practical function within society.
Using six stops, we will visit locations throughout the cemetery which highlight the many aspects of sustainability present in Greenwood. These stops include: the Main gate at 25th street, the pond by Davin Larson’s bee hives, a mausoleum which was formerly a lake, Battle Hill which is the highest point of natural elevation in Brooklyn, a lake run by solar panels and a location with various species of trees.
Greenwood Cemetery was founded in 1838. During the 1860’s the cemetery became the second most popular tourist attraction attracting 500,000 visitors per year. Greenwood’s popularity became inspiration for more parks in NYC including Central and Prospect Park. The 478 acre cemetery has over 560,000 residents including musician composer Leonard Bernstein, various civil war generals, and other famous New Yorkers. The Cemetery is also a Revolutionary War Historic Site because in 1776, the Battle of Long Island was fought nearby. Although Greenwood remains vibrant today, many of the sculptures, monuments, mausoleums, cast iron, and landscaping has weathered and degraded with time. In 1999, the Greenwood Historic Fund was created to maintain the significant historic, cultural, and architectural monuments and to preserve the cemetery’s natural habitat. With funding from memberships and donations, The Historic Fund offers public events like walking and trolley tours, book talks, and other seasonal events. In 2006, Greenwood Cemetery was officially designated a National Historic Landmark by the US Department of the Interior.
Bees and Turtles
Bees are highly threatened species, as pesticide use and deforestation around the globe affect the overall health of bees. These changes in our ecosystems have led to a decline of bees, making it necessary for local communities to implement beekeeping practices. In Greenwood Cemetery, there are seven beehives that attempt to provide a healthy habitat for bees to encompass. Beekeeping at Greenwood Cemetery provides a sustainable resource for this greenspace, encouraging the pollination of local trees and other wildlife.
There are various styles and architectural designs associated with beekeeping, which determines the shape of the hive. The beehives at Greenwood Cemetery are Langstroth Hives, which can be packed with over twenty pounds of honey at a time. Davin Larson, the owner and caretaker of these hives, sells this specific honey throughout the year and has taken on volunteers to help maintain this beekeeping space. Starting in 2014, Larson began beekeeping in the Cemetery to encourage dialogue about the health of bees and to generate a healthy bee community in Brooklyn. His bees are Carniolan honey bees and have a very docile nature, encouraging their activity in such a public space. Larson was conscious of how they would interact with cemetery inhabitants, and encourages individuals to have a positive attitude toward the bees.
At the base of this hill, there is a small pond in which a population of turtles resides. These turtles are red-eared sliders, which can live to be over fifty years old. Providing a space for these turtles in New York City is necessary, as less green space is available for local wildlife. This site is the perfect location for local residents to relax and observe nature in New York City.
Highest Point in Brooklyn
Battle Hill is the highest natural point in Brooklyn, standing 220 feet above sea level. The hill is part of the Harbor Hill Moraine which runs the entire length of Long Island and can be observed at this location in the cemetery as well. The Wisconsin glaciation is the most recent glacial period observed in this area. To the south of this moraine is the outwash plain that formed due to the melting of the glacier sitting above this topographic terrain. This outwash plain can be observed by looking from Battle Hill down to the the ponds found in the cemetery, as well as the Upper New York Bay and Atlantic Ocean. From this high vantage point you can observe the ways in which Stormwater and other natural phenomenon will be shed by the surrounding steep topography.
There is also cemetery placed plaques displaying specific historical accounts of the Battle of Long Island and specifically Brooklyn which took place in part in the now cemetery. When visiting this location be sure to read about the specifics of the battle, and the importance of the high vantage point and strategic value in time of war.
Lake with Solar and Hillside (Sylvan Water)
This location in the cemetery has several key factors to note while observing here. The first of which is the pond and its natural appearance within the cemetery (It fits with the topography). This type of pond is referred to as a kettle pond, and it forming is due to outwash from a melting glacier, which greenwood and much of Long Island owes its shape and topography too. Another feature to note is the large solar panel placed on the island at the center of the pond. The energy collected from this panel produces energy to run pumps within the pond to circulate the water and prevent stagnation. If left stagnant, this would make breeding grounds for mosquitoes and the diseases they can carry. The last feature we will have you note for the area is the steep almost cliff like topography of the Sylvan Avenue side of the pond. This steepness demonstrates the variability of the cemeteries topographic spectrum, and also helps demonstrate the way the watershed functions, causing water to run downhill into the pond for collection.
Optional: The pond serves many purposes not only for the cemetery in collecting and retaining water, but for the city as well. Water collected is water that does not become apart of the city wide problem of WWTP and CSO’s during rain events.
The Drained Lake
Greenwood Cemetery is known for its unique topography, which has not been largely altered since the cemetery was opened; however, this location shows an example of how the cemetery has been altered to appease the increasing constraints for space. This site shows a memorial where loved ones who are buried in the cemetery can be commemorated. Prior to this memorial, the area was a lake, which was drained to contribute more burial space to Greenwood. These changes show how natural habitats are often changed for the needs of society. As you walk around you can see the topographic shape of a former lake and observe how the hill of the memorial is a manmade installation versus being a natural aspect of the landscape.
Trees
Greenwood cemetery is home to approximately 200 tree species. The tree population includes many common trees of NYC as well as some of the oldest and largest species of sassafras trees and camperdown elms. In the recent years staff of Greenwood cemetery have extended an invitation to give people an opportunity to get in touch with the natural elements of Greenwood Cemetery through volunteer programs.
Hemlock avenue near Battle hill is an amazing place to spot a few interesting trees including yoshino cherry trees, flowering dogwood, and American Beech. These trees can be observed in different phenophases throughout the year.
Another important aspect of Green-Wood Cemetery is tree management. A large American Beech tree that has been trimmed can be seen near Hemlock avenue. It is common to see trees such as this one in manicured parks and greenspaces.
