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.

© Max Touhey
Rendered Plan © Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects

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.

© Daniel Byrne
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.
© Max Touhey
© Max Touhey
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.

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.

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

1019 Naval Cemetery Nelson Byrd Woltz N56
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.
1019 Naval Cemetery Daniel Byrne N31 medium
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.
1019 Naval Cemetery Max Touhey N54 medium
A bench at the edge of the grove provides a moment for reflection.
1019 Naval Cemetery Max Touhey N18 medium
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.
1019 Naval Cemetery N57
Stone blocks recall ship moorings and invite playful access across the grove. Photo courtesy Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.
1019 Naval Cemetery Max Touhey N17 medium
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.

© Max Touhey
Rendered Plan © Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects

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.

© Daniel Byrne
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.
© Max Touhey
© Max Touhey
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.

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.

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

1019 Naval Cemetery Nelson Byrd Woltz N56
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.
1019 Naval Cemetery Daniel Byrne N31 medium
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.
1019 Naval Cemetery Max Touhey N54 medium
A bench at the edge of the grove provides a moment for reflection.
1019 Naval Cemetery Max Touhey N18 medium
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.
1019 Naval Cemetery N57
Stone blocks recall ship moorings and invite playful access across the grove. Photo courtesy Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.
1019 Naval Cemetery Max Touhey N17 medium
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.

© Max Touhey
Rendered Plan © Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects

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.

© Daniel Byrne
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.
© Max Touhey
© Max Touhey
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.

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.

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

1019 Naval Cemetery Nelson Byrd Woltz N56
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.
1019 Naval Cemetery Daniel Byrne N31 medium
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.
1019 Naval Cemetery Max Touhey N54 medium
A bench at the edge of the grove provides a moment for reflection.
1019 Naval Cemetery Max Touhey N18 medium
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.
1019 Naval Cemetery N57
Stone blocks recall ship moorings and invite playful access across the grove. Photo courtesy Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.
1019 Naval Cemetery Max Touhey N17 medium
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.

Location

Brooklyn, NY

Client

Brooklyn Greenway Initiative

Typology

Size

1.7 acres

Design Team

Jonathan Marvel, Scott Demel, Vince Lee, Zachary Cohen, Zhan Chen

Awards

AIANY/ASLANY Inaugural Transportation + Infrastructure Design Excellence Awards, 2018 Best in Competition, Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award, AIA Brooklyn-Queens Design Excellence Award, ASLA New York Design Award, Architect’s Newspaper | Best of Design Awards, Honorable Mention for Public Landscape

Consultants

Landscape by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, Marvel (Architect and Lead Design Coordinator), Jim Conti (Lighting Design), Grant Engineering (Structural Engineer), Tim Dumbleton (Project Management), Kelco Construction (Construction Contractor).