The Public Housing Community Fund and the New York City Housing Authority unveiled a newly renovated community green space at Marlboro Houses in Gravesend on July 15, completing the second phase of Green Space Connections, a $3.2 million initiative that supports resident-designed outdoor improvements across public housing communities.
The project, which used tens of thousands of corks, transformed more than 7,200 square feet of open space into an accessible, climate-resilient gathering area designed with input from residents.
Funded by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, the renovation introduced accessible walkways, interactive play features, native landscaping, rain gardens and stormwater management improvements to address persistent flooding.
“This project delivers a resident-driven, accessible space that weaves green design into every element while creating a safer place for children to play and older adults to enjoy the outdoors,” said Alex Zablocki, executive director of the Public Housing Community Fund.
A cork pathway made from about 450,000 recycled corks, including corks collected from New York City restaurants, serves as the centerpiece of the project. The pathway is the first New York City installation by Cork Collective, an initiative that repurposes recycled cork into durable public infrastructure.
The investment expands outdoor recreational space for Marlboro Houses residents while improving environmental resilience in a neighborhood that has experienced flooding and climate-related challenges.
Through a series of community workshops, residents helped shape the final design, ensuring the new gathering spaces, play areas and landscaping reflected neighborhood priorities. Permeable cork surfacing, native plants and ecological landscaping also improve stormwater management and support local biodiversity.
The project brought together the Public Housing Community Fund, NYCHA, the Center for Justice Innovation, The Urban Conga, Field Form, Cork Collective, Rockwell Group, the New York Climate Exchange, the Design Trust for Public Space and other partners.
Distinctive features include custom interactive art installations, sustainable building materials and a resident-led planning process that guided the project from concept through construction.
