Floating Forest Of Edible Plants Coming To Sunset Park Next Month

SUNSET PARK, NY — A forest built on top of a barge which lets people climb aboard and pick fresh produce plans to dock at the Brooklyn Army Terminal next month.

The 80-foot-long barge, dubbed Swale, created by artist Mary Mattingly will dock on Sunset Park's waterfront starting May 5 to let the public forage for herbs, fruits and vegetables in its 5,000-square-foot garden, organizers announced Monday.

Swale will also host tours of medicinal plants, lectures on soil science, compost demonstrations, panel discussions and a water filtration lab while in Sunset Park, according to organizers. The Brooklyn Army Terminal will be the only spot Swale docks at this year.

Swale started in 2016 by Mattingly in the South Bronx as a way to advocate growing food on about 30,000-acres of public land around the city to address the issues of food desserts, organizers said.

The floating forest later docked in Governors Island and the Brooklyn Bridge Park. Swale will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. at the Brooklyn Army Terminal until July 1.

Image courtesy of Swale