High Line Teen Residency Intern Program at 50 Kent

Update on what the Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park have been up to since our Fun~raiser kick off for the rescue of 50 Kent.

Intern, Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Liatris, 27 new trees, 100 new shrubs, WATER & more!!!

FBIP has partnered with the High Line Teens Residency Intern Program and were able to hire Brandon Sanchez to work in 50 Kent alongside FBIP’s Gardening Organizer Katherine Thompson for 6 weeks. Brandon has worked with the High Line for the past 3 years, but this is his first residency outside of the High Line (HL).

Brandon’s first newsletter post:

50 Kent Pollinator Gardens Rejuvenation Project
Newsletter post by Brandon Sanchez, High Line intern:

Brandon has worked with the HL since 2020 and has mostly been involved in civic engagement and art projects during the last few years, so assisting with the 50 Kent is a slight change of pace for him.

“I have never really been involved with horticulture while at the High Line, but I’m excited to learn more about the ins and outs of what it takes to sustain a park like this, and hopefully share new found knowledge with others at the High Line Teen Staff Program”. -Brandon Sanchez

Watering and weeding is vital when it comes to maintaining the various plant life at Bushwick Inlet Park healthy and able to continue to grow. When watering, it is important to keep the soil moist and water accordingly. Watering adequately promotes healthy root growth, and the use of proper watering systems, such as tree bags, hoses, or sprinklers ensures that the demands of various plants are satisfied. Weeding, on the other hand, entails identifying and eliminating undesired plants. In Bushwick Inlet Park’s case, the most widespread undesired plant is mugwort. Mugwort is a weed that has a large root system and grows to a large height that does not allow for surrounding plants to obtain sufficient water or sunlight. Removing weeds reduces the competition for resources with desired plants. Weeding is usually done by hand or with tools depending on the size of the weeds.

We have learned that watering is EVERYTHING! We are working out a schedule with NYC Parks, Williamsburg Pollinator Project and North Brooklyn Parks Alliance. Many of the young trees at 50 Kent are equipped with special tree watering bags (see Swamp White Oak Tree image below) that allow for easier watering of the trees as well as a more efficient way for the roots of the trees to obtain water.

Recently, the Williamsburg Pollinator Project headed up by Jeff Hewitt, has seen great results in the efforts to enhance the flower beds (see image below) on the N11th side of Bushwick Inlet, which allows pollinators such as bees to more efficiently assist in plant reproduction and to support biodiversity.

What we need, now that watering is somewhat under control, is volunteer groups to come for outings and corporate service days to weed out the invasive plants that are crowding out the sun for the native pollinators and threaten the native pollinator habitat (see images of Bee Balm, Purple Coneflower and Black-eyed Susans below). These committed individuals join forces, armed with tools and a common goal, to address the issue of invasive plants blocking out the sunlight required for local pollinator life. Volunteers can help create a more favorable habitat for native plants and insects that play an important part in pollination by investing their time and effort.

Do you know a scout troop, soccer teams, church group, office outings and corporate service days. Please contact us asap
Schedule your group outing on any Tues, Wed, or Thursday this July!