www.gowanuscanalconservancy.org

543 UNION STREET #1EBROOKLYN, NY 11215TEL: 718.541.4378

GOWANUS CANAL CONSERVANCY

A N N U A L R E P O R T

2018

M I S S I O NWe advocate and care for ecologically sustainable parks and public spaces in the Gowanus lowlands

while empowering a community of stewards.

V I S I O NWe envision a Gowanus Canal

and surrounding urban environment that is clean, resilient, diverse and alive.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The City’s recently announced draft rezoning plan for Gowanus has spurred a wide range of reactions and emotions. We fear towering buildings, accelerated gentrification, and a loss of neighborhood identity. At the same time, we are hopeful for long-term investments in the canal’s health, new public space, and an accessible waterfront.

These conflicts and contradictions are daunting for our neighborhood – a diverse, overlapping and interdependent community of manufacturers, brownstone dwellers, environmentalists, public housing residents, landowners, canoeists, teachers, students and more. We bring different experiences, different voices and different perspectives to this moment.

But our common ground is clear: We all love Gowanus. It is our home – where we live, where we work, and where we play.

We will need this common ground to find our way through the rezoning process and, more importantly, through the larger challenges that lie ahead: a city that is increasingly dense; a climate that is increasingly warm; and urban infrastructure that is increasingly vulnerable, stretched and exposed.

The road ahead will require honesty and openness. It will also require collaboration and compromise. We at Gowanus Canal Conservancy look forward to listening to you, talking with you and working with you to make the right things happen. Today; and for the future of our neighborhood.

Ben JonesBoard Chair, 2015-2018

L E T T E R F R O M T H E C H A I R

GOWANUS CANAL CONSERVANCY 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2

4

..

A D V O C A C Y

E D U C A T I O N

S T E W A R D S H I P

2 0 1 8 H I G H L I G H T S

SALT LOT

2ND AVE GARDEN

3RD & 3RD GARDEN

CARROLL STREET PLANTERS

PRESIDENT & NEVINS TREE NETWORK

8TH ST & 4TH AVE TREE NETWORK

6TH ST GREEN CORRIDOR

M.S. 88

GOWANUS BLUE SCHOOLS

PUBLIC SCHOOLS ENGAGED

PRIVATE SCHOOLS ENGAGED

GOWANUS TREE NETWORK

STREET TREE STEWARDSHIP

GARDEN STEWARDSHIP M.S. 447

GOWANUS CANALWATERSHED

GOWANUSLOWLANDS

STEWARDSHIP ZONE

2018 was another busy year in Gowanus! As the neighborhood around us changes rapidly, we have deepened and strengthened our core programming to engage stakeholders in understanding, stewarding, and advocating for our unique watershed. I am continually amazed by the passion and commitment of our neighbors - a few of my favorite 2018 memories...

Gowanus Green Team apprentices stretched their design muscles facilitating a Lowlands Masterplan charrette for their elders...

The evolution of street tree beds under the care of the Gowanus Tree Network Ambassadors...

Both the extreme rain and the extremely high community spirits at EXPO Gowanus in Thomas Greene Park...

The passion of the Gowanus Blue Schools students as they presented green infrastructure ideas – now that they understand that we adults haven’t actually figured it all out...

Hours of discussion and consensus building about the future of our neighborhood with our fellow members of the Gowanus Neighborhood Coalition for Justice...

Thank you all for your support and engagement over the past year. We at Gowanus Canal Conservancy look forward to many more!

Andrea Parker Executive Director

2 , 1 0 8 P E O P L ELEARNED ABOUT

COMBINED SEWAGE OVERFLOW

1 , 3 7 9 S T U D E N T SENGAGED IN

PLACE-BASED LEARNING

2 2 5 N E I G H B O R S ENGAGED IN

LOWLANDS OUTREACH

7 2 6 V O L U N T E E R SENGAGED IN

HANDS-ON STEWARDSHIP

P R O S P E C T P A R K

P R O S P E C T H E I G H T S

P A R K S L O P E

S U N S E T P A R K

C A R R O L L G A R D E N S

B O R E U M H I L L

R E D H O O K

BROOKLYN COLLABORATIVE STUDIES

GOWANUS CANAL CONSERVANCY 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

G O W A N U S LO W L A N D S

The future of Gowanus is entering a critical phase with the confluence of several long-standing efforts: the federally mandated cleanup under the Canal’s Superfund status; related cleanups at the state and city levels; and land use changes that will cue both private development and City investments in the public realm. Through the Gowanus Lowlands Master Plan, we seek to ensure the community has a key role in shaping a watershed that is accessible, active, and clean for all.

2 2 5 T O TA LCOMMUNITY MEMBERS

ENGAGED

The Gowanus Lowlands planning process builds upon Bridging Gowanus and the NYC City Planning PLACES study. During 2018, we held 9 community outreach workshops with the help of partner organizations. Thematic workshops focused on the arts; design and planning; recreation and access; environmental justice; and youth, education, and community. Area-specific workshops were organized in north Gowanus, Park Slope, and lower Gowanus.

O U T R E A C HThe Gowanus Lowlands Master Plan is an evolving document that coordinates ongoing plans with community priorities for open space. This plan is a tool to advocate for and facilitate resilient, vibrant and equitable design across numerous projects by public and private entities.

I N D U S T R I A L B U S I N E S S

Z O N E

C A R R O L L G A R D E N S

G O W A N U S H O U S E S

W Y C K O F F G A R D E N S

W A R R E N H O U S E S

P A R K S L O P E

WATERFRONT ESPLANADES

STREET END PARKS

ART IN THE MEDIAN

THOMAS GREENE PARK

PROBABLE REZONING

ENERGY FIELD STATION

PERFORMANCE BARGE

MARSH RESTORATION

WASHINGTON PARK ANNEX

UNDER THE TRACKS PARK

1ST ST TURNING BASIN

5TH ST TURNING BASIN

COMMUNITY CENTER

CITIZENS PARK

TRANSIT PLAZA

DRAFT GOWANUS LOWLANDS MASTER PLAN 2

2018 OUTREACH WORKSHOPS - MAJOR TAKEAWAYS

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE + ECOLOGY

AESTHETICS

• Preserve historic and industrial Gowanus• Create a vibrant and wild place

HISTORY

CIRCULATION + ACCESS

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE + ECOLOGY

ART

RECREATION + PROGRAMMING

BUSINESSES

• Provide inclusive arts programming• Provide performance/performing arts spaces• Support local artists through spaces for art

making and viewing

• Provide additional pedestrian bridges• Improve access at key points (Head of Canal, 9th

St, connection to Red Hook)

• Interprete history through materials, artifacts, wayfinding, and building preservation

• Enhance water access and boating along canal• Provide active spaces: play space, dog run,

basketball, skate park, swings• Indoor programming and community space

• Require active ground floors throughout Gowanus

• Support Industrial Business Zone with investment in critical infrastructure and public space

• Build green infrastructure along streets, public spaces and buildings

• Provide soft edges and salt marsh restoration• Preserve wild feel and use native plants

• Comprised of Gowanus residents, stakeholders, and community group representatives, the Steering Committee helps guide design, implementation, and outreach strategy.

FORMED STEERING COMMITTEE

HELD 6 COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKSHOPS

OUTREACH TO DATE

HELD 7 COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKSHOPS• Arts Focus• Youth, Education, and Community Focus• Design and Planning Focus• Recreation and Access Focus• North Gowanus• Park Slope• Lower Gowanus

• Organized in partnership with diverse neighborhood organizations, in order to reach a broad range of stakeholders.

• Informed the Gowanus Lowlands Blueprint, launched in 2016 in partnership with SCAPE Landscape Architecture.

436 MOOD BOARD COMMENTS534 PLAN COMMENTS

2015Gowanus Houses

2018The Dredgers Boat House

2018EXPO Gowanus

The Gowanus Lowlands planning process for the public realm builds upon Bridging Gowanus, PLACES and multiple clean-up processes to develop a community based vision for the emerging network of parks and public spaces centered on the Gowanus Canal and connected to the surrounding watershed.

GOWANUS LOWLANDS COMMUNITY OUTREACH

2018D R A F T

CSO TANK PARK

HALL OF GOWANUS

PEDESTRIANACCESS

PUMP HOUSE PLAZA

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

Neighbors discuss multiple remediation processes at a North Canal Visioning Workshop.

Site based community comments.

GOWANUS CANAL CONSERVANCY 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 6

V O L U N T E E R S T E W A R D S H I P

Our volunteers are essential to our work throughout the neighborhood. From our neighbors who drop in for a one-day project to our dedicated Volunteer Committee that meets monthly to plan initiatives and projects, we couldn’t function without them.

2 , 2 9 8 H O U R SVOLUNTEERED

7 2 6 T O TA LVOLUNTEERS

2 , 8 5 0 L B STRASH COLLECTED

1 7 P U B L I C + 9 C O R P O R A T E

EVENTS

In 2018, Gowanus Canal Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy piloted the Gowanus Tree Network: neighbors working together to build a healthy urban forest. Tree Ambassadors enroll in free Citizen Pruner training, organize tree stewardship with their neighbors, and enter the Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest.

We engaged 4 blocks and 10 volunteers in 8 events to install native plants and tree guards, expand tree beds, and amend tree beds with compost and mulch.

V O L U N T E E R P R O G R A M B Y T H E N U M B E R S

1 8 M E M B E R S +10 CHAIRS

5 SUB-COMMITTEES

G O W A N U S T R E E N E T W O R K

Volunteers weed the Salt Lot Berm Garden, a native plant garden along the banks of the Canal.

Gowanus Tree Ambassadors lead their neighbors in street tree stewardship on 4th Avenue and 8th Street.

GOWANUS CANAL CONSERVANCY 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 8

E D U C A T I O N

G O W A N U S B L U E S C H O O L S

Through service-learning, citizen science, walking tours, and STEM curriculum, we teach students and community members of all ages about the complex ecological, historical, and social issues of Gowanus so that they can become better advocates for a sustainable future.

In 2018, over 150 middle and high school students from M.S. 88 Peter Rouget, M.S. 447 The Math & Science Exploratory School, and Brooklyn Collaborative Studies investigated combined sewage overflow through the Gowanus Blue Schools program. Students developed math, science, and design skills related to spatial thinking, calculating stormwater runoff, research, technical drawings, building models, team collaboration, and public presentations by designing comprehensive green infrastructure proposals for their school campuses and exploring environmental justice topics.

At the end of the school year, students presented their final projects at the Gowanus Blue Schools Design Competition to a panel of reviewers who are experts on green infrastructure design, environmental justice, and environmental engineering, as well as a public audience of parents, local organizations, and community members.

E D U C A T I O N P R O G R A M S B Y T H E N U M B E R S

5 8 3 S T U D E N T S ENGAGED IN

WALKING TOURS

2 , 1 0 8 P E O P L ELEARNED ABOUT

CSO

1 7 3 S T U D E N T SENGAGED IN

SERVICE-LEARNING

3 7 3 S T U D E N T SENGAGED IN

CIT IZEN SCIENCE

Citizen Science Educator Emma McCauley introducing students from Ditmas Junior High School 62 to the Gowanus Watershed.

M.S. 88’s table at EXPO Gowanus 2018

Students present their designs for green infrastructure at M.S. 447

1 5 0 S T U D E N T SDESIGNED GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

GOWANUS CANAL CONSERVANCY 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 10

Gowanus Tree Network Ambassadors Geoff Barrett, 8th St btw 3rd & 4thLeanne Burney, 4th St west of 5th AveMaisa Chiang, 8th St btw 3rd & 4thUriah Crane, 4th Ave btw 7th & 8thJacky Hunt, 8th St btw 3rd & 4thLisa Lightbody, President btw Nevins & 3rdSheila Olive, Degraw btw Hoyt & Bond Peter Sistrom, 4th St west of 5th AveAnna Stevens, 4th Ave btw 7th & 8thWilliam Touchet, Nevins btw Sackett & Union

Partners 8th Street Block Association350 Brooklyn475 High Performance Building SupplyArtBuiltArtichoke DanceArts GowanusAmerican Society of Landscape Architects ARUPBEAM CenterBellyfire ProductionsBig ReuseBillion Oyster ProjectBronx River AllianceBrooklyn Bird ClubBrooklyn Botanic GardenBrooklyn Boulders Foundation Brooklyn Bridge Park ConservancyBrooklyn Community Board 6Brooklyn Historical SocietyCarnival of ConnectivityCentral Park ConservancyCon EdisonDLANDstudioDistrict 15 School Gardens Consortium Garden TraineDesign DynamicsFamilies United for Racial and Economic Equality (FUREE)Fifth Avenue CommitteeForth on Fourth AvenueFreshkills ParkFriends of Carroll Park

Friends of Thomas Greene ParkGowanus AllianceGowanus by DesignGowanus Superfund Community Advisory GroupGowanus Dredgers Canoe ClubGowanus Grid + ElectricGowanus Houses Art CollectiveGowanus Neighborhood Collition for JusticeGowanus Souvenir ShopGowanus Swim SocietyGowanus Wildcats Green City ForceGreenbelt Native Plant CenterGreenSpace on FourthHigh Line NetworkHungry March BandKOKO NYCLangan EngineeringLower East Side Ecology Center / Gowanus E-Waste WarehouseNatural Areas ConserancyNorth Canal Visioning GroupNYC Compost ProjectNYC Urban Field Station Old Stone HouseOpen House New YorkOpen Sewer AtlasPig BeachProject Sound SystemProspect Park AllianceRed Hook FarmsRiverkeeperSCAPE South Brooklyn Local Development CorporationSpoke the HubTextile Arts CenterThe Nature ConservancyThe River Projectthread collectiveTreePEPTrees New YorkTrilox MillworksTurning the Tide (T3)Waterfront Alliance

University Partners Brooklyn CollegeColby CollegeColumbia UniversityHarvard UniversityNew York UniversityNew York City College of TechnologyNorth Carolina State UniversityPratt InstituteRutgers UniversityThe City College of New YorkYale University

K-12 Partners Allen-Stevenson SchoolAvenues: The World SchoolBrooklyn Collaborative StudiesBrooklyn Urban Garden SchoolCompass Charter SchoolDitmas Junior High School 62East New York Family AcademyGerman School BrooklynGirl Scout Council of Greater New YorkInnovation Diploma Plus High SchoolInternational School of Brooklyn J.H.S. 223 Montauk Junior HighM.S. 2 Parkside Preparatory AcademyM.S. 88 Peter Rouget M.S. 447 The Math & Science Exploratory SchoolP.S. 58 The Carroll SchoolP.S. 133 William A. ButlerP.S. 170 Ralph A. FabrizioP.S. 206 Joseph F. LambP.S. K225 Eileen E. ZaglinSaint Ann’s SchoolThe Berkeley Carroll School

Elected Officials City Councilmember Brad LanderCity Councilmember Stephen LevinUS Congressperson Nydia VelázquezNYS Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon

Board of DirectorsChairmanBen Jones

Vice-ChairmanMarcos Diaz Gonzalez

TreasurerAndrew Simons

SecretaryFaizal Karmali

Winfield CliffordRemko de Jong, Esq.Heidi DolnickAlexandria DonatiAnselm FuscoRichard GreeneStephen HindyRichard KampfAndrew KimballVirginia McEnerneyLisa MelmedLeah MilcarekJay WalderCraig WilsonTed Wolff, Esq.

EmeritusJohn C. Muir

Full-Time StaffAndrea Parker, Executive DirectorMarissa Fabricant, Stewardship CoordinatorDiana Gruberg, Horticultural ManagerJordan Heiden, Education CoordinatorCait LaMorte, Development DirectorAmy Motzny, Watershed ManagerChristine Petro, Education DirectorNatasia Sidarta, Program Manager

Part-Time StaffEmma Garrison, EducatorBess Hauser, EXPO Event Manager Destinie Lane, GardenerEmma McCauley, EducatorRuth Nervig, GardenerGalina Seldina, Bookkeeper

FellowsSarah Dornner, Landscape Fellow Hana Georg, Curriculum Design Fellow Zoe Holland, Landscape FellowWendy Story, Nursery Fellow

InternsMorgan Dougherty-MessingSherlan GreavesDante MorganLuca Nigro

Green TeamMassiel Rueda, Crew LeaderJessica Goldberg, Crew LeaderKwanzaa Handy, Senior ApprenticeDaunte Jacob, Apprentice Jessica Varughese, ApprenticeSam Vasen, Apprentice

Volunteer Committee

Shari Baitcher, OutreachShanna Blanchard, HorticultureErin Johnson, OutreachBen Leer, Design/BuildBob Lesko, Urban ForestryLiam Mahoney, CompostJason Mortara, Design/BuildLeila Mougoui Bakhtiari, Urban ForestryRuth Nervig, HorticultureBryan Simpson, Compost

Wendy AndringaCarrie CarlisleHelen ChananieJessica DalrympleEmma GarrisonJessica GoldbergAngela Lehn ChristensenKlaus Lehn ChristensenDaniel O’ConnorFrederick PhillipsPeter ReichJames RisoGreta RuedisueliLisa ShufroSuzanne SmithAshley VerhinesMichael WassermanLeah Wener

Subcommittee Chairs

P E O P L E & P A R T N E R S

In Memoriam Massiel Rueda 1992 - 2018Massiel impacted all of us with her positive energy, strong will, and generous spirit. She was tenacious, smart, and full of life, with a warm manner that made her exceptionally easy to talk to.

As an activist who sought to connect people with their environment, Massiel understood the importance of humans and equity in this work. We will strive to pursue all that Massiel cared about and rise to the task of furthering justice while caring for the environment, and each other, in her honor.

GOWANUS CANAL CONSERVANCY 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 12

STEM Gowanus SponsorsThe Aguayo Team at HPDMThe Brooklyn Home CompanyWinfield CliffordHillary CohenMarcos Diaz Gonzalez & Madeley RodriguezElizabeth Roberts Architecture & Designemphas!s design, inc.Future Green StudioGBX-Gowanus Bay TerminalGowanus Souvenir ShopHudson CompaniesIndustrial CartingJohn KlineRichard & Julie LamLangan EngineeringLendLeaseM3 EnergyVirginia McEnerneyLeah Milcarek & Richard McNernyP.W. Grosser ConsultingPowerhouse WorkshopQuadrozzi Urban EnterprisesJoanne Witty & Eugene Keilin

Wendy AndringaNancy Belkov & Jeff ParkerMelissa Benson & Kieran BeerNadia Burgard & Cliff FonsteinDavid BurneyDattner ArchitectsRemko de Jong & Bobi AhnDeepRoot Green InfrastructureNicholas T. DonovanJane FormanDeborah FlynnGowanus Grid & ElectricGowanus Inn & YardHans HesseleinHR&A AdvisorsCathy IselinJonathan Rose CompaniesFaizal KarmaliKelco ConstructionSandy Mayzel & John GouldMiranda Brooks Landscape DesignLiat & Allan MyersNeuhaus Design Architecture, P.C.Danae OratowskiKatie Schwab, Cozen O’Connor Public StratiesSarah & Bruce ShriverMatthew L. SimonsThomas SimonsSims Municipal RecyclingStarr Whitehouse Landscape Architects & PlannersDoug Steiner, Steiner StudiosTsao & McKown ArchitectsPatricia VigoritaYork Analytical Laboratories, Inc.

Bioswale Sponsors

Co-ChairsAndrew KimballJackie Snyder

Gowanus Blue Sponsor

AECOMBen JonesPMGTed & Anne Wolff

Green Infrastructure SponsorsArchitectural GrilleBloomberg PhilanthropiesPaul Basile, Gowanus AllianceSteve Hindy & Ellen FooteA Friend of Steve HindyIndustry CityMacAndrews & ForbesLisa MelmedPilot Real Estate & Horrigan DevelopmentTwo Trees

Clean & Green SponsorsBrown and CaldwellHeidi & Sam DolnickRichard & Diane GreeneSCAPEThe Simons FamilyLavinia SimonJay Walder & Susan Cummings-Walder

Honorable Kathryn GarciaNYC Department of Sanitation Commissioner

Stephen GiumentaVice President & Design Engineer,Architectural Grille

Kate OrffFounding Principal, SCAPEAssociate Professor, Columbia University

Honorees

FoundationsALLINBKLYNBoerum Hill AssociationCarver Scholarship FundCitizens Committee for NYCFriends of Thomas Green ParkG & A Foundation c/o Muchnick, Golieb & GoliebJobar Foundation

ABA StudioBaxt Ingui ArchitectureCityScapes NYCDLANDstudioemphas!s design, inc.Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott - Brooklyn / Troutbrook CompanyGeto & de Milly, Inc.Langan EngineeringLot 2Michael MuthNeuhaus Design Architecture, P.C.OTTO Brand LabSupermass StudioSevenson Enviromental Services

Corporate SupportersAECOMAtlantic Realty DevelopmentBank of AmericaBrooklyn Microgrid The Brooklyn Home CompanyCenter for Better SleepCiti FoundationCity Farm PresentsCon EdisonCredit SuisseEileen FisherJP Morgan Chase & Co.LO3 Energy Inc.M3 EnergyNational GridPatagonia SohoPilot Real Estate Group & Horrigan DevelopmentPMGSamsung Electronics

Business Supporters

Heidi & Sam DolnickBenjamin JonesJay Walder & Susan Cummings Walder Ted & Anne Wolff

Cathy Bacich & Ed SchallertMarcos Diaz Gonzalez & Madeley RodriguezAndrew Kimball & Sarah WilliamsJohn LavelleVirginia McEnerney Lisa MelmedWendy MooreAndrew Simons

Individuals Over $5,000

Individuals Over $1,000

Individuals Over $500

Individuals Over $250

AgenciesNYC Civic Corps NYC Dept. of EducationNYC Dept. of Environmental Protection NYC Dept. of Sanitation NYC Soil & Water Conservation DistrictNYS Dept. of Environmental ConservationUS Environmental Protection AgencyUS Forest Service, US Dept. of Agriculture

ARUPBaba’s PierogiesBrooklyn BreweryFifth Avenue CommitteeFive Borough Brewing Co.Folksbier BrauereiGotham GreensGrand ArmyGrimm Artisanal AlesGreenbelt Native Plant Center JS GalleryLangan EngineeringMoore Borthers WineOther Half BrewingSCAPESix Point BrewerySouth Brooklyn Local Development CorporationStrong Rope BreweryThe V SpotThrees BrewingTrader Joe’sWartegaWhole Foods

In-Kind

Paul BasileNancy Belkov & Jeffrey ParkerWinfield CliffordRon & Danielle FarisAnselm FuscoRose Gasner & Larry ChertoffLisa Goldfarb & Jack DehovitzRichard KampfPatrick KaifoshRosanne Pugliese & Bill DudineJevon Roush & Grier ColemanEliza RossmanNelson & Diana TebbeLee WeiskottGena Wirth

Wendy AndringaJohn Craver & Lindsay KarichAmy & Peter DavisJohn GrimesHans HesseleinAnisa JaveriRichard JenkinsJason MortaraMarianne MortaraMatt SchallertJustin Schein & Eden WurmfeldThomas SimonsIan Sinclair & Diana Gruberg

G O W A N U S S P R I N G G A L ALeibowitz & Greenway Family FoundationLily Auchincloss FoundationPark Slope Civic CouncilPark Slope Jewish CenterThe Nature ConservancyThe PepsiCo FoundationThe Rockefeller Foundation

GOWANUS CANAL CONSERVANCY 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 14

Fiscal Year 2018 (July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018)

REVENUE & SUPPORT

Membership

Individual

Foundation Support

Corporate Support

Government Grants

Special Events Income

Special Events Expenses

In-Kind Services & Facilities

$6,605

$37,057

$44,807

$77,442

$336,565

$182,117

($28,471)

$25,956

$702,432

EXPENSES

Program Service Revenue $20,355

Total Expenses

Total Revenue & Support

Program Services

Management & General

$604,753

$133,600

$738,353

B U D G E T

2018 Gowanus Green Team Apprentices Daunte, Jessica, Sam and Kwanzaa trying out their plant identification skills on a Rhus typhina.

Asclepias syriaca blooming in the 3rd and 3rd garden.

GOWANUS CANAL CONSERVANCY 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 16