Urban green spaces in the heart of New York City serve as crucial lifelines connecting us to nature and maintaining the health of our urban environments. These green havens play a vital role in purifying air and water, protecting against floods, and fostering biodiversity. With the growth of urban areas and increasing environmental challenges, it is imperative to preserve and restore these areas for the well-being of our communities.
Recently, the Columbia MPA in Environmental Science and Policy (MPA-ESP) cohort embarked on a field trip to two urban green spaces, Shirley Chisholm State Park in Brooklyn and Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, as part of their Urban Ecology course. Led by Matthew Palmer, a senior lecturer in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, the field trip showcased the significance of ecological restoration projects in enhancing land value and creating welcoming spaces for community recreational activities.
Situated 130 feet above sea level, Shirley Chisholm State Park offers stunning views of New York City, highlighting the Empire State Building, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, and the New York Harbor. What many may not know is that this vibrant park was once built on former landfills. Through a stringent restoration process led by professionals like John McLaughlin, the park was transformed into a green oasis with over 1.2 million cubic yards of clean soil and 35,000 trees, shrubs, and native grasses, attracting diverse wildlife and safeguarding the land from erosion.
Leslie Wright, the New York City regional director at New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, emphasized the critical role of restored parks in fostering social connections, community engagement, and conservation of biodiversity. These efforts not only provide a safe space for people to reconnect with nature post-COVID but also contribute to building sustainable and resilient communities.
The visit to Pelham Bay Park showcased ongoing restoration efforts aimed at combating invasive species and restoring forest health. Despite challenges such as poor soil quality, invasive species infestation, and deer impact, the park’s restoration strategies focus on bringing back native species through a multi-year plan. These restoration initiatives are crucial not only for the park and its neighborhood but also for maintaining the New York State watershed and water quality.
Despite the challenges, the dedication of our students to the preservation and restoration of urban green spaces has been inspired by the field experiences at Shirley Chisholm State Park and Pelham Bay Park. These encounters serve as a catalyst for their commitment to creating sustainable, resilient communities where ecological health and human well-being thrive hand in hand.
