Fort Greene Park’s New Mosaic Turns Trash Into Artistic Treasure

Trash is being turned into treasure in Fort Greene Park, as broken glass is being recycled into a community mosaic map.

Artist Amanda Patenaude and the Fort Greene Park Conservancy are inviting community members to help create the mosaic using over 100 pounds of broken glass, some dating to the 1930’s, that’s already been collected from the park. Residents are encouraged to stop by the Fort Greene Park Conservancy’s tent at the Fort Greene Greenmarket on July 9 from 12pm to 3pm to give input.

“I am so excited to work with my Fort Greene Park neighbors to recreate our glass trash into community treasures!” said Patenaude.

The project began when Fort Greene Park Director David Barker organized “glass patrols” to pick up the remnants scattered through the park. The glass had a nasty habit of resurfacing after being buried underground.

Program and Development Manager for the Fort Greene Park Conservancy Julian Macrone told DNAinfo that “the theory is that a lot of it is sea glass from the days when the park wasn’t as well cared for.” Macrone added that “we see it mostly when it rains. It’s usually erosion from stuff that’s embedded in the hillside. A lot of it’s historical.”

Each piece of glass, which comes in nearly every hue, will get a small painting which will represent whatever the community member cares most about, whether in Fort Greene Park or touching on other green topics like urban ecology. The glass will then become part of the mosaic.

Fort Greene Park has experienced a flurry of upgrades and changes recently. The park just won $5 million in improvements from the city. Moreover, there is a new living sculpture of Brooklyn that’s taken root in the park. Moreover, the newly renovated tree trail is back open.

The mosaic is expected to be installed sometime later this fall.