Naval Cemetery Memorial
Formerly inaccessible military burial ground is rethought as an open and publicly accessible landscape along the Brooklyn Greenway.
Located along the heart of the Brooklyn Waterfront, the 1.7-acre site is a tranquil retreat designed by Marvel and Nelson Byrd Woltz. With a multi-year, sensitive planting and boardwalk construction plan, the landscape has been converted to natural wildflower meadow and a sacred grove. An entrance gateway transitions from the city's pulse to the landscape's serenity. The site was active from 1831 to 1910 as the burial site for more than 2,000 persons, primarily for officers and enlisted men. In 1926, the Navy relocated the remains to Cypress Hills National Cemetery. Later investigations concluded that several burials were unaccounted for and potentially remained at the site. Thus, the sensitivity of the design approach and space as experienced today retains the landscape’s character as a truly sacred space.
A bench at the edge of the grove provides a moment for reflection.
Organized events take place throughout the season such as yoga, lectures, nature walks, etc.
This gateway building contains a small seating area and a gardener’s support space.
The surfaces of the walkway and of the entrance gateway are finished with black locust wood.
As a part of the Navy Yard, the site had been largely off-limits and out-of-sight to the public since its use as a cemetery was decommissioned in the 1920’s. After the renovation, the natural grove has now become the perfect setting for art exhibits, educational programs, and group activities, establishing links between the local residents, youth and visitors and reacquainting them with the significance of the site.
Formerly inaccessible military burial ground is rethought as an open and publicly accessible landscape along the Brooklyn Greenway.
Located along the heart of the Brooklyn Waterfront, the 1.7-acre site is a tranquil retreat designed by Marvel and Nelson Byrd Woltz. With a multi-year, sensitive planting and boardwalk construction plan, the landscape has been converted to natural wildflower meadow and a sacred grove. An entrance gateway transitions from the city's pulse to the landscape's serenity. The site was active from 1831 to 1910 as the burial site for more than 2,000 persons, primarily for officers and enlisted men. In 1926, the Navy relocated the remains to Cypress Hills National Cemetery. Later investigations concluded that several burials were unaccounted for and potentially remained at the site. Thus, the sensitivity of the design approach and space as experienced today retains the landscape’s character as a truly sacred space.

Native plants are selected for variable height and character, vibrant color display during warm seasons and interesting seed pods or stem textures for winter interest.

The landscape serves as a node or moment of pause along the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. Entry steps rise from the street and through the entrance threshold to the raised boardwalk.

A bench at the edge of the grove provides a moment for reflection.

The walkway is raised above the existing ground plane with foundations of diamond-shaped piers, resting atop the soil and secured to the earth with steel rods. All work is designed to minimize disturbance of existing site soils.

Stone blocks recall ship moorings and invite playful access across the grove. Photo courtesy Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.

After the renovation, the natural grove has now become the perfect setting for art exhibits, educational programs, and group activities, establishing links between the local residents, youth and visitors and reacquainting them with the significance of the site.
Naval Cemetery Memorial
Formerly inaccessible military burial ground is rethought as an open and publicly accessible landscape along the Brooklyn Greenway.
Located along the heart of the Brooklyn Waterfront, the 1.7-acre site is a tranquil retreat designed by Marvel and Nelson Byrd Woltz. With a multi-year, sensitive planting and boardwalk construction plan, the landscape has been converted to natural wildflower meadow and a sacred grove. An entrance gateway transitions from the city's pulse to the landscape's serenity. The site was active from 1831 to 1910 as the burial site for more than 2,000 persons, primarily for officers and enlisted men. In 1926, the Navy relocated the remains to Cypress Hills National Cemetery. Later investigations concluded that several burials were unaccounted for and potentially remained at the site. Thus, the sensitivity of the design approach and space as experienced today retains the landscape’s character as a truly sacred space.
A bench at the edge of the grove provides a moment for reflection.
Organized events take place throughout the season such as yoga, lectures, nature walks, etc.
This gateway building contains a small seating area and a gardener’s support space.
The surfaces of the walkway and of the entrance gateway are finished with black locust wood.
As a part of the Navy Yard, the site had been largely off-limits and out-of-sight to the public since its use as a cemetery was decommissioned in the 1920’s. After the renovation, the natural grove has now become the perfect setting for art exhibits, educational programs, and group activities, establishing links between the local residents, youth and visitors and reacquainting them with the significance of the site.
Formerly inaccessible military burial ground is rethought as an open and publicly accessible landscape along the Brooklyn Greenway.
Located along the heart of the Brooklyn Waterfront, the 1.7-acre site is a tranquil retreat designed by Marvel and Nelson Byrd Woltz. With a multi-year, sensitive planting and boardwalk construction plan, the landscape has been converted to natural wildflower meadow and a sacred grove. An entrance gateway transitions from the city's pulse to the landscape's serenity. The site was active from 1831 to 1910 as the burial site for more than 2,000 persons, primarily for officers and enlisted men. In 1926, the Navy relocated the remains to Cypress Hills National Cemetery. Later investigations concluded that several burials were unaccounted for and potentially remained at the site. Thus, the sensitivity of the design approach and space as experienced today retains the landscape’s character as a truly sacred space.

Native plants are selected for variable height and character, vibrant color display during warm seasons and interesting seed pods or stem textures for winter interest.

The landscape serves as a node or moment of pause along the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. Entry steps rise from the street and through the entrance threshold to the raised boardwalk.

A bench at the edge of the grove provides a moment for reflection.

The walkway is raised above the existing ground plane with foundations of diamond-shaped piers, resting atop the soil and secured to the earth with steel rods. All work is designed to minimize disturbance of existing site soils.

Stone blocks recall ship moorings and invite playful access across the grove. Photo courtesy Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.

After the renovation, the natural grove has now become the perfect setting for art exhibits, educational programs, and group activities, establishing links between the local residents, youth and visitors and reacquainting them with the significance of the site.
Naval Cemetery Memorial
Formerly inaccessible military burial ground is rethought as an open and publicly accessible landscape along the Brooklyn Greenway.
Located along the heart of the Brooklyn Waterfront, the 1.7-acre site is a tranquil retreat designed by Marvel and Nelson Byrd Woltz. With a multi-year, sensitive planting and boardwalk construction plan, the landscape has been converted to natural wildflower meadow and a sacred grove. An entrance gateway transitions from the city's pulse to the landscape's serenity. The site was active from 1831 to 1910 as the burial site for more than 2,000 persons, primarily for officers and enlisted men. In 1926, the Navy relocated the remains to Cypress Hills National Cemetery. Later investigations concluded that several burials were unaccounted for and potentially remained at the site. Thus, the sensitivity of the design approach and space as experienced today retains the landscape’s character as a truly sacred space.
A bench at the edge of the grove provides a moment for reflection.
Organized events take place throughout the season such as yoga, lectures, nature walks, etc.
This gateway building contains a small seating area and a gardener’s support space.
The surfaces of the walkway and of the entrance gateway are finished with black locust wood.
As a part of the Navy Yard, the site had been largely off-limits and out-of-sight to the public since its use as a cemetery was decommissioned in the 1920’s. After the renovation, the natural grove has now become the perfect setting for art exhibits, educational programs, and group activities, establishing links between the local residents, youth and visitors and reacquainting them with the significance of the site.
Formerly inaccessible military burial ground is rethought as an open and publicly accessible landscape along the Brooklyn Greenway.
Located along the heart of the Brooklyn Waterfront, the 1.7-acre site is a tranquil retreat designed by Marvel and Nelson Byrd Woltz. With a multi-year, sensitive planting and boardwalk construction plan, the landscape has been converted to natural wildflower meadow and a sacred grove. An entrance gateway transitions from the city's pulse to the landscape's serenity. The site was active from 1831 to 1910 as the burial site for more than 2,000 persons, primarily for officers and enlisted men. In 1926, the Navy relocated the remains to Cypress Hills National Cemetery. Later investigations concluded that several burials were unaccounted for and potentially remained at the site. Thus, the sensitivity of the design approach and space as experienced today retains the landscape’s character as a truly sacred space.

Native plants are selected for variable height and character, vibrant color display during warm seasons and interesting seed pods or stem textures for winter interest.

The landscape serves as a node or moment of pause along the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. Entry steps rise from the street and through the entrance threshold to the raised boardwalk.

A bench at the edge of the grove provides a moment for reflection.

The walkway is raised above the existing ground plane with foundations of diamond-shaped piers, resting atop the soil and secured to the earth with steel rods. All work is designed to minimize disturbance of existing site soils.

Stone blocks recall ship moorings and invite playful access across the grove. Photo courtesy Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.
