Spring returns to Fort Greene Park with a full slate of free, community-driven programming organized by the Fort Greene Park Conservancy, bringing neighbors together for environmental stewardship, arts and local history.
The season kicks off on April 18 with Spring Into Fort Greene Park, a family-friendly Earth Day celebration running from 11:00am to 2:00pm at Monument Plaza. The event centers on hands-on activities that encourage care for the environment, from craft stations and educational workshops to interactive games led by local groups. Participants who complete multiple activity stations can earn a small prize, adding a playful incentive to the day’s programming.
Highlights include an e-waste recycling drive hosted by Big Reuse, accepting small household items like batteries, phones and electronics through early afternoon. One Love Community Fridge will lead herb bundling workshops focused on nutrition and shared cultural practices, while a plant swap featuring contributions from Tula House and Tend Greenpoint invites visitors to trade cuttings and pick up gardening tips from volunteer stewards.
Ongoing stewardship remains a priority for the Conservancy. Portions of the Central Lawn will temporarily close for reseeding through late May, with alternate green spaces available nearby. Volunteer days, held biweekly, continue to draw residents into hands-on maintenance work such as mulching, debris removal, and invasive plant management. The group is also recruiting an Environmental Justice Fellow for a yearlong position beginning in July, supporting youth programming and park care initiatives.
Educational offerings extend beyond environmental work. Local historian Suzanne Spellen will lead a guided tour exploring Black history and culture in Fort Greene, tracing the neighborhood’s legacy from the 19th century to the present through a walking route anchored along Fulton Street.
The season’s arts programming builds toward Poetry in the Park, set for April 25 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at Monument Plaza. Curated with poet Najee Omar, the annual gathering marks National Poetry Month with an afternoon of live performance, music and community participation. The event transforms the park into an open-air creative space where established poets and emerging voices share work alongside a community open mic.
Interactive elements invite attendees to move beyond listening into making. Workshops include zine creation, walking haiku exercises woven through the landscape and a reflection space designed for writing and mindfulness. Live DJ sets provide a continuous backdrop, shaping the atmosphere as visitors circulate between performances and activities.
Free books will be distributed by Brooklyn Book Bodega, with additional support from the Walt Whitman Library, reinforcing the event’s focus on access to literature and creative expression.
