On June 5th, my friend Sam Franqui and I accompanied Salema Davis, President and Carolyn Walker-Diallo, Vice President of The George Walker, Jr. Community Coalition, Inc. on a walk around Highland Park and the Ridgewood Reservoir.
The George Walker, Jr. Community Coalition, Inc. (GWJrCC) is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to assist in community rehabilitation and neighborhood renewal in the East New York and Cypress Hills area by providing programs on and around the George Walker, Jr. playground (map) which is located on Wyona and Vermont Streets between Jamaica Avenue and Fulton Street.
Ms. Walker recently sent me an email, which stated: “We are interested in creating an environment program to teach our neighborhood youth the importance of preserving the environment, including our natural local landscapes. As I have lived in the East New York/Cypress Hills Community all of my life, I am aware of the importance of preserving the reservoir and would love to speak with you about creating a program centered around the reservoir.”
We spent over four hours thoroughly exploring the Ridgewood Reservoir, and the entire Highland Park area. They were also impressed by the history of the location, as exhibited by the stone bridge, it's proximity to Cypress Hills National Cemetery, it's being the source of all the drinking water for the then City of Brooklyn by the Brooklyn Water Works facility and the former gate houses.
I think it is safe to say that both Ms. Davis and Ms. Walker came away from our walking tour awed by the natural beauty and tranquility of the park and the reservoir.
During our long walk we encountered many bird species including a male Northern Cardinal and a pair of Baltimore Oriole, in their full spring plumage. (Photos from the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology - All About Birds)
We talked extensively about the potential of using the park and the reservoir as a learning tool for our area youth to see, hear and experience nature without the need to travel long distances from their homes. This would be an excellent opportunity for local student to get a step up on the “green-collared” job of the future to be prepared for the economy of the future.
We also happened upon a large Common Snapping Turtle while walking the bicycle path around the Reservoir.
The turtle was probably seeking a safe place to lay it's eggs, since this species mates from April through November, with their peak laying season in June and July.
Snappers will travel extensively overland to reach new habitat or to lay eggs. Pollution, habitat destruction, food scarcity, overcrowding and other factors will drive snappers to move overland; it is quite common to find them traveling far from the nearest water source.
All in all, I felt it was a wonderful day spent in the outdoors with like-minded civic people with a common goal for our community. I look forward to working in the future with the GWJrCC to help local youth to better understand their environment, the history of their area and most importantly their place among it all.
