Cypress Hills Cemetery in Queens Touting Itself as Final Resting Place for Many Black Celebrities by Lisa L. Colangelo - NY Daily News

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Flags adorn graves at Cypress Hills Cemetery.

A graveyard might seem an unlikely place to celebrate the illustrious lives of local heroes.

But the operators of Cypress Hills Cemetery say its picturesque and sprawling grounds - the final resting place for more than a dozen prominent African-Americans - is the perfect destination for the commemoration of Black History Month.

There are baseball legend Jackie Robinson, renowned musician and composer Eubie Blake, as well as writer and historian Arturo Schomburg.

But the cemetery also the final resting place of lesser-known 19th-century trailblazers, such as James McCune Smith, an abolitionist who was also the first African-American to obtain a medical degree in the United States, and Charlotte Ray, the first female African-American lawyer in the nation.

"These are some very important people who have really contributed to the history of America," said Patrick Russo, office manager at Cypress Hills Cemetery, which straddles the Brooklyn-Queens border.

Cemetery officials are planning to celebrate this rich history and raise awareness with a new colorful map and booklet that highlights its famous denizens.

It comes on the heels of a book published last year that provides an in-depth look at the cemetery, its history and unique monuments.

"Green-Wood and Woodlawn are viewed as the big boys of the cemetery world, but there are so many others not as well-known," said Stephen Duer, one of the authors of "Images of America: Cypress Hills Cemetery."

The cemetery is also unique because unlike many other burial grounds where African-Americans graves are found on designated lots, they are scattered through its 210 acres.

Duer and co-author Allan Smith worked with cemetery officials to identify more than 75 notable people of all backgrounds.

"That's only through some surface research," said Duer. "It's like a treasure hunt."

Another notable African-American buried at Cypress Hills is Wallace Turnage, a former slave whose path to freedom was detailed in the recent book "A Slave No More" by David Blight, a Yale University professor.

In September, cemetery officials joined historians and family members to honor McCune Smith with a new headstone. Some of his descendants had learned about their historic connection only in recent years.

Greta Blau, who is white, discovered her ancestry when she learned about McCune Smith during a African-American studies class at Hunter College. His was a familiar name included in a family Bible.

"I am so proud to have that kind of legacy," said Antoinette Martignoni, Blau's 92-year-old grandmother who is the great-granddaughter of McCune Smith. "Imagine sharing those genes! It's been very exciting."

Russo said he hopes more people see Cypress Hills, and all cemeteries, as places for learning.

"They are a great educational tool for Black History Month and the rest of the year," said Russo. "There are so many important people here and in every cemetery. You just have to investigate."

Cypress Hills cemetery is at 833 Jamaica Ave. For more information on the cemetery and its publications, call (718) 277-2900 or check its website at www.cypresshillscemetery.org.

The Ridgewood Reservoir by Blog Contributor Cristina Merrill

Reporter Cristina Merrill at the Ridgewood Reservoir on July 19th, 2009...

Lou Widerka does not think of himself as an expert bird watcher, but he can identify orioles, sparrows, hawks, water fowl, ducks, geese, blackbirds and warblers, all at the Ridgewood Reservoir.

Born and raised in Ridgewood, Widerka, a retired dispatcher for the Metropolitan Transit Authority, has seen the reservoir go through various phases throughout the years, and would like to see the reservoir stay as close to its natural state as possible.

“It’s an oasis in the middle of the city,” said Widerka, 66. “You’re transported from the hum-drum into a different world.”

Widerka is not alone. Community leaders and residents on both sides of the Queens and Brooklyn border are at odds with the Parks Department over proposed renovation at the Ridgewood Reservoir and the attached Highland Park. Both sides are open to making the reservoir more accessible to the public via passive improvements, such as adding walkways, repairing broken lamp posts and fences, and fixing staircases. However, there is disagreement as to what to do with the basins surrounding the natural spring, and how to remedy the run-down ball fields in the park.

The Ridgewood Reservoir consists of three basins enclosed by a perimeter of chain-link fencing. Basin 2 holds the actual reservoir, a self-sustaining natural spring. Basins 1 and 3 are filled with a variety of plants and trees and flowers, giving them a jungle-like appearance.

The reservoir has seen a bit of wear and tear over the years. Fences, stonework, dirt pathways, and even the remnants of an old automobile have long been overtaken by decades of untamed trees and plants. The result is a natural habitat and ecosystem for a variety of plant and animal life, such as fungi, Italian Wall lizards and turtles. According to Steve Fiedler, parks committee chairperson for Community Board 5 of Queens, the reservoir is also an east coast flyby for migrating birds and has over 100 species, 15 of which are on the endangered list.

The educational value is of interest to communities throughout the New York City boroughs. Darryl Towns, Assembly-member for the 54^th Assembly District of Brooklyn, is open to the passive improvements that will make the reservoir more accessible to the public. He sees the reservoir as a “nature sanctuary” that can give residents and students a chance to see what New York City was like before it was all asphalt and concrete. He believes that opening the reservoir to the public would be a great opportunity to “understand how ecology or natural ecology can exist within an urban setting.”

In addition to being a nature sanctuary, the reservoir also has a great deal of history attached to it. It is a pre-Civil War construction, and much of the stonework and fences were built by master craftsmen. The Battle of Long Island during the Revolutionary War was fought within a mile of the area. Attached to the reservoir is the Cypress Hills National Cemetery, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. It holds veterans from the American Revolutionary War through the Vietnam War.

Local members of the community, such as Widerka, see this historical value. He thinks the old pump and gate houses should be renovated into educational centers.

“It’s a unique location that can’t be duplicated,” said Widerka. “It’s an opportunity that’s staring us in the face.”

Contributing Reporter Cristina Merrill has worked for the Queens Chronicle and is currently attending Columbia J-School

Help At Last for City Cypress Hills Police Burial Ground by Lisa L. Colangelo - NY Daily News

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The Boy and Girl scouts were on hand today at Cypress Hills Cemetary to pay their respects and to remember. Rosamilio/News

Better days are on the way for the Police Gardens, a longneglected police burial site at Cypress Hills Cemetery.

The cracked walkways are being dug up and replaced with smooth concrete. A group of active and retired police officers have promised to gather on the site on May 16 for a somber wreath-laying service in honor of Police Memorial Day.

They hope to festoon the small granite headstones with American flags.

But replacing the 6-foot bronze statue of a policeman and the plaques stolen from the grounds more than 40 years ago by vandals might be a tougher feat.

"I almost believed it was a lost cause," said retired cop Robert Berl, who lives near the cemetery and has been lobbying to get it refurbished. "I think it's great that something is finally going to be done."

Since the Daily News first wrote about the plight of the Police Gardens last month, dozens of people have contacted the cemetery to offer assistance.

Cemetery President John Desmond, a retired New York City police officer, was so heartened by the response that he donated the materials and labor to fix up the walkways.

"We are offering all our resources and will be ready to do whatever they want," said Desmond.

Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch is planning to attend the Saturday ceremony to show support.

"We certainly want to see it restored," said PBA spokesman Al O'Leary.

The cemetery and volunteers are limited in what they can do. The Police Gardens, also known as the Police Arlington, is technically owned by the NYPD Honor Legion, which controls who is buried at the site.

A call by the Daily News to the Honor Legion, a fraternal organization that recognizes cops involved in gun battles and other life-threatening situations, was referred to the NYPD's public information office.

The site, established more than 100 years ago, has a rich history, but there is no marker to show it is a police burial ground. The bronze statue, stolen in 1966, was never replaced and only its pedestal remains.

"These are officers who worked for the city," Berl said. "Their families thought that this would be a place of honor."

lcolangelo@nydailynews.com

Walking Tour of Highland Park and Ridgewood Reservoir with Members of The George Walker, Jr. Community Coalition on June 5th...

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 Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a large freshwater turtle, which is common to the eastern United States.

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.