Founded in 1987, Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, also known as BPC Parks, is a private nonprofit organization. It operates more than 30 acres of open space on the southern tip of Manhattan. The organization provides maintenance services to parks and gardens, playing fields, playgrounds, plazas and walkways. BPC Parks maintains several departments and operating divisions, such as horticulture, parks programming and administration. Its maintenance department provides a range of electrical, plumbing and masonry services. The organization also organizes a variety of entertaining and educational programs, such as concerts, garden tours, drawing programs, storytelling shows, and tai chi and fishing classes. Additionally, Battery Park City Parks Conservancy offers toy rental services for birthday parties, field days, day camp outings and picnics. The organization maintains a location in New York City.
Rich in history, Fort Greene Park’s beginnings emerged in the form of Fort Putnam, which is today located within the park. In 1812, the fort was christened in the name of Major General Nathanael Greene and since there was not any actual worry of conflict or a war at the time, the fort was used by the locals as a recreational space. In the park, there is also a famous memorial, the Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument, which honors the lives of thousands of Americans who died as a result of imprisonment aboard a ship by the British. A visit to this park gives all its visitors a broader perspective of the history of the city and its residents. The hugely-popular Brooklyn Flea on Saturdays is right across the park.
Overlooking East River, Stuyvesant Cove Park is located in Peter Cooper Village. Built in 2002, this park was designed by the landscape architect Donna Walcavage. It features a solar-powered environmental education center, a biking path, several pagodas and picnic areas. This lovely park is also home to a variety of native plants that are indigenous to the area. They also grow native fruits like beach plums and persimmons.
