Brooklyn has an underated history that is sometime forgotten due to other big events. One part of Brooklyn that shares a rich history and is still relevant to the bourough is Fort Greene Park. Many important names surface like William howard Taft and Walt Whiteman are known with the past of the park. Parts of Fort Greene Park like the Prison Ship Martyr Monuement are a big attraction to not just the park but Brooklyn. The past and present of Brooklyn live in Fort Greene Park through its attractions and each tell different stories about it.
Fort Greene Park is home to many attractions but one that really stands out and caught my eye paticuraly was the Prison Ship monument. This monuement is over a century old and was created to honor brave people during the revoulutionary war. Over 11,500 men and women died and were then buried in the crypt. The prison ship monument gets its name simply because the british vessel was used as prison for soldiers of the thirteen colonies fighting against Britain for freedom. Not even physical torture but many of these prisoners died from over crowding, contaminated water, starvation and disease. Bodies were then tossed along shore disrespectfully like rag dolls. This was brutal and cruel and it was not only men enduring this pain but women and children too. After winning our freedom in the war, a way to honor all these brave people was in order. Major general Nathanael Greene supervised the creation of the monument. After the war of 1812, it was then rebuilt after it was presumed safe to begin its unveiling. The remains of the prisoners were then brought to the site in 1873 where they were put into the 25 by 11 foot brick vault. The Bronze urn that is the prison ship martyr monument still stands stall in Fort Greene park and is remembered and honored throughout people in Brooklyn.
In Fort Greene Park today it is a very family oriented place that can be very enjoyable for anyone taking a trip there. From their barbecuing areas to there nature center you can do almost any outdoor activity there. The playgrounds that they have for kids are very accsessible for kids of all ages from swings, ramped play equipment, transfer platforms and ground level play features. My personal favorite, the basketball court is not just used for free play but can be used for organized league with proper permission and a permit. It just goes to the prestige that Fort Greene Park holds. The park is also very animal friendly specially for dogs. They hold many dog friendly areas in the park. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times and and no longer than 6 feet. The fitness path for joggers is also available which is 1.75 miles per lap around which is good if someone is trying to stay or get into shape. Additional aspects to the park include a tennis court, spray showers and Wi-Fi Hot spots. Fort Greene park is more than just your average park but a get together spot that a whole day can be spent there.
The Prison Ship Monument in the park is a key part of the park because it was such a big part of who we are as a country today. It was declared to be in Fort greene Park because its signifigance to its creator Major General Nathanial Greene. It is also where Fort Greene park gets its name. It fits in nicely with the rest of fort greene park and its various activities. The park has future plans as well such as an atheltic center. They are also planning on allowing more areas where dogs can access to make it more animal friendly too. The history of the prison ship martyr monument and the current state of the park are relevant to each other because the monument was the first and only part of the park long ago. The “fort” soon became a park and a place where all people can visit. The park also used to be known as washington park which shows its roots to the revolutuonary war. As you know, George Washington was the General who led the charge in the war for freedom. nycgovparks.org calls it a “magnet for all visitors from all walks of life” You can also hold special events in the park which you do need a permit for however. The Fort Greene Park is monumental in the sense of the perfect place for comfort and history.
Fort Greene park is a great place to bring family, find tranquility and a good place to visit to learn a lot about the history of the surronding area. You can go to play sports or even walk your dog, it brings a classic park feel with a little extra which is a taste of history. The Prison ship martyr monument provides something that people in the park can go and views and give you an upclose look at what our pre mature country was fightng for. The Fort Greene Park is a common place to go for people who live in the area of brooklyn and is fun for recreational and historical purposes.
“Fort Greene Park” – Letitia James, https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/beinginbrooklynf2013/
Article- mindful walker, September 30th, 2010. Fort Greene Park muesum and visitors center.
