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NYC's First International Botanic Garden Blooms by BQE
15 Sep
Summary
- Brooklyn's Native Plant Sanctuary is NYC's first internationally accredited botanic garden.
- The 1.8-acre sanctuary opened in 2016 on a former naval cemetery site.
- It is home to over 500 human remains, with plants serving as a memorial.
New York City's first internationally accredited botanic garden, the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative's Native Plant Sanctuary, has been officially recognized. This 1.8-acre sanctuary, located in an industrial area of Williamsburg, opened in 2016. It was established on the site of a former naval cemetery, where historians believe at least 500 bodies remain.
The sanctuary was accredited over the summer by Botanic Gardens Conservation International. This designation highlights the transformation of an abandoned lot into a thriving ecosystem filled with native plants and wildlife, despite its proximity to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. The initiative hopes this sanctuary will inspire similar sustainable green spaces across the city. The site, once the Brooklyn Naval Hospital cemetery with burials dating from 1838 to 1910, now features native wildflowers. These plants are designed to withstand flooding and require no irrigation, demonstrating ecological resilience. The sanctuary is scheduled to mark its 10th anniversary in 2026.
