Harmony Grove and Peace Walk Labyrinth Project

BACKGROUND

Since we launched this revitalization effort in 1999, it has been obvious that our South Bronx community needs and wants more green open space. We have held many discussions, meetings, design sessions and made presentations to solicit input and involvement in a grass-roots vision for the redesign of the asphalt portion of the park , which is about twice the size of a basketball court.  Click Here for a 1999 aerial view

We have successfully obtained small grants from the USDA Forest Service Living Memorials Project (VISIT HERE) as well as the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation (VISIT HERE). These generous resources have allowed us to implement programming, foster a constituency and move forward in the planning and design of how the community wants the Park to look.

In July of 2004 Council Member Phil Reed announced that his strong advocacy led to the inclusion of capital monies for the Harmony Grove and Peace Walk Labyrinth project through the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation.

This Project funded in part by the Bronx Initiative for Energy and Environment and the Bronx Borough President, Adolfo Carrion, Jr.


Our community designed vision has five major components:

1 Remove the Asphalt/Increase the Greenery
2 "Daylight" the underground Brook/Create wetlands
3 Create a Natural Labyrinth
4 Plant Trees, fruit trees and cedar trees
5 Develop a small Outdoor Eco-Classroom with solar panels (140th Street)

We plan to involve the community and especially the youth as much as possible in planting the trees and creating the Labyrinth.

PROJECT CONSULTANTS

Ariane Burgess, Labyrintista

Ariane has created Labyrinths throughout the world, most recently at Eagle Bay Sanctuary on Lake Ontario, and with the Teaneck Nature Preserve in New Jersey, besides Battery Park here in NYC.


Camino de Paz Labyrinths works with individuals and organizations to design Labyrinths & Peace Walks that relate to the location they are to be created in and for the people who will walk them. We create Labyrinths in all types of locations with a particular passion for natural environments and where possible using materials recycled from the waste stream.

Labyrinths can be commissioned as part of community and organization building. In the process of creating a Labyrinth people learn how to collaborate with others and Nature. From experience we see how people are enlivened when they participate in building a Labyrinth and bring it into their daily lives through walking it and caring for it. They come to know old friends and neighbors in new ways and make new friends. The Labyrinth can be a powerful tool for creating community and peace as the building process cultivates friendship, trust, inner peace, confidence and connection to an innate knowing.

DONATE
Now is a great time to get involved in this important and exciting project! Show us a voice of confidence and build on our recent success and contribute on-line