Naval Cemetery Landscape

Welcome to the Naval Cemetery Landscape, a serene oasis nestled in the bustling heart of Brooklyn at 63 Williamsburg Street West. This unique park and tourist attraction, established by the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative, stands on the historic grounds of the former Naval Hospital Cemetery at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. It invites visitors to retreat and reflect while exploring its rich tapestry of natural and cultural history.

Designed as a native plant meadow and pollinator habitat, the Naval Cemetery Landscape offers a peaceful escape from urban life. Here, you can witness the beauty of rare birds and insects thriving amidst the native flora. Magnifying glasses are available on site, and we encourage visitors to bring binoculars for a closer look at the bird species from our boardwalk.

Discover the Nature Sacred Bench and journal behind our Sacred Grove, where you can sit, breathe, and find solace in nature. Share your thoughts, observations, and reflections in the journal, or delve into the musings of others as you relax under the shade of native trees.

We proudly partner with Brooklyn Book Bodega to ensure children have access to books. This summer, bring your children to pick up a free nature book from our bookshelf (one per child) and explore reading tips from Brooklyn Book Bodega for all ages.

Our Plant Heroes program connects young learners to nature through engaging lessons and creative activities. We offer free resources, including lessons, journal pages, and activity books for grades K-5, to help educators and parents facilitate exploration and learning about plants, insects, forest health, and ecology. Complete these activities at the Naval Cemetery Landscape or take them home for continued discovery.

As an officially recognized Monarch Waystation by Monarch Watch, our meadow supports monarch butterflies with nectar-rich annuals and milkweed varieties. Learn more about their life cycle and the importance of fostering native habitats by picking up a Monarch Butterfly Coloring Page during your visit.

Engage with art in nature through the work of Jessica Dalrymple, whose pieces celebrate urban green spaces and advocate for biodiversity. Her artistic journey involves extensive exploration and research, culminating in compositions that blend expressive strokes with photorealism to capture the natural beauty of New York City’s landscapes.

Local musician Paco Naveira enriches the atmosphere with instrumental and vocal motifs on nylon string guitar, creating spontaneous musical moments that resonate with the space’s unique environment.

Explore thought-provoking art installations like "Layers" by Aaron Asis and "Solitude: In A Landscape" by Najee Wilson, which delve into the layered history and beauty of this urban oasis.

Conveniently accessed from the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, we encourage visiting via public transportation, biking, or walking. The NYC Ferry East River Route (South Williamsburg Landing) and Astoria Route (Brooklyn Navy Yard Landing) are just a 15-minute walk away.

Experience the Naval Cemetery Landscape—a place where history, art, and nature converge to create a sanctuary for all who visit.