Restoration Projects at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Through 2006
In November 2003, Brooklyn Botanic Garden began a series of improvements and restorations in several areas of the Garden. These projects, which are funded by the City of New York, are part of the Garden's master plan to improve visitor facilities, upgrade the aging infrastructure, and enhance the Garden's beauty for years to come.
The New Entrance for Eastern Parkway Is Open!
The Eastern Parkway entrance was redesigned to create a new public plaza and architectural gateway to the Garden. Designed by the internationally acclaimed firm Polshek Partnership Architects, the new entry greatly improves the flow of traffic entering and exiting the Garden. Visitors approach the Garden across an enlarged plaza that incorporates benches and new plantings. Ticketing and information are located in two low curvilinear wings set into landscaped berms, which renders them invisible from inside the Garden. The gates are constructed of stainless steel patterned with cherry leaves and branches. The cherry leaf pattern is cut through the stainless steel of the gates, leaving a filigree pattern through which you can see glimpses of the Garden when the gates are closed. The centerpiece of the new entrance plaza—a dramatic 50-foot cast glass spire designed by James Polshek—creates a very visible marker for the Garden. Made of cast glass and inspired by various organic structures such as pinecones and the pistil of a flower, it will easily be seen from a distance and will be gently lit from within at night, casting a soft green glow. The overall design of the entrance unites architecture and horticulture while respecting the historic nature of the Garden.
Please Note: A temporary "spire," made of jib banners placed at quarter points, will be in place until the glass spire arrives for installation.
Color Rendition of the View From Eastern Parkway (Not to Scale)
The old Eastern Parkway gates are being restored and will be incorporated in a design for another area of the Garden.
Osborne Garden and Overlook Restoration
The paving and plantings in the Osborne Garden have been restored in keeping with the existing design. Work included replacing the bluestone in the north and south plazas, repairing the fountain, and rebuilding and replanting the boulder wall. The asphalt path and the benches in the Overlook have been replaced.
Judith D. Zuk Magnolia Plaza
The Judith D. Zuk Magnolia Plaza was repaved with new bluestone and terrazzo. The stairs have been replaced. Additional precast concrete work (railings, balustrades, etc.) was completed this spring.
Infrastructure Improvements
All areas under construction will have upgrades to their utilities, irrigation, and drainage. Garden lighting has been extended across the Overlook and through the Osborne Garden to Eastern Parkway.
Temporary Closing of Garden Areas
When restoration work is in progress, certain areas of the Garden will need to be closed temporarily. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience while we make these much-needed improvements to the Garden.
Funding
These capital improvements are being funded by an allocation of $6.5 million from the city of New York, thanks to the support of the Brooklyn Borough President and the Brooklyn delegation of the City Council, through the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department of Design and Construction.
Osborne Garden
Overlook
Architects
Eastern Parkway Entrance, Polshek Partnership Architects LLP, New York, NY Osborne Garden, Magnolia Plaza, Jonathan Woo Associates, New York, NY
Graphic Design
Poulin + Morris
Landscape Architect
Mathews Nielsen, New York, NY
Contractor
Metrotech Contracting Corp., Jamaica, NY
Construction Management
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY