We brought together public space enthusiasts from across the city to enjoy an evening among the sculptural, repurposed structures for which the park is named.

Maggie Scott Greenfield, Executive Director of the Bronx River Alliance discussed the history of the park’s origins, its relation to neighboring parks on the river, and the Bronx River Foodway, a new initiative to develop a productive landscape of edible and usable plants for local community use and education. 

Concrete Plant Park is the first project of the Bronx River Foodway. Once complete, the foodway will form a 23-mile long of community-operated spaces for arts, performances, educational activities, urban agriculture, and food. Public spaces along this corridor, north to south, include: Bronx Park, Bronx Zoo River Walk, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx River Forest, Fort Knox Park, Shoelace Park, West Farms Rapids, Starlight Park, Concrete Plant Park, Hunts Point Riverside Park, Soundview Park, River Garden, and Drew Garden.

Additionally, Amanda McDonald Crowley, Community Outreach Coordinator of Swale, taught us about and gave us a tour of Swale, a floating food forest built on a barge that travels to numerous piers across the City. Drawing from their success in engaging communities, Swale advocates for policies that increase the presence of edible plants in public spaces, particularly those in food deserts.

The inimitable experience of touring Swale along with the opportunity to share a meal in a truly unique public space proved to be a recipe for a successful Public Space Potluck.

We will be hosting our second and final Potluck of the year at Freeman Plaza East on September 28th. Join us then for another special evening!