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Fort Greene Park Visitors Center Reopens After Two-Year Closure

By Janet Upadhye | June 2, 2015 2:37pm
 The Fort Greene Park Visitor's Center had been closed to the public since spring of 2013.
The Fort Greene Park Visitor's Center had been closed to the public since spring of 2013.
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Flickr/b'klynborn

FORT GREENE — The Fort Greene Park Visitors Center reopened two years after the city shuttered it because its couldn't find a staff member to manage the space, a spokeswoman for the Department of Parks and Recreation said.

The center, which sits in the middle of the park, closed when former Director Carol Anastasio left the position last fall, staff at the park said. It is unclear why Anastasio left her post.

The agency finally hired David Barker as the new director late last year, and the center celebrated its grand reopening on May 30 with the unveiling of a number of new displays.

New exhibitions include handwritten letters by local students highlighting their suggestions for park improvements, an overview of how volunteers have contributed to the parks success over the years — such as glass patrols that clean up broken bottles from the park — and a third that allows visitors to get to know members of the 2015 summer Parks team, who clean and care for the park.

Permanent displays are still there, including one depicting local insect species, a Revolutionary War–era cannon, a musket and bayonet, and photos of park designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.

Barker said he is excited to get the public back into the center to learn more about the history of the green space.

"I love the chronology exhibit that traces the physical evolution of the park from the Revolutionary War through the 20th century," Barker said. "Its fascinating to see how pathways change and different architectural trends impact the park landscape through time."

There is also a new Urban Park Ranger, Chris Wood, who will provide historical and environmental education at local schools and within the park, as well as help with animal rescue.

The center offers public bathrooms and is open to the public daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Mondays and special occasions.