In 2010, New York spread 2 million tons of clean soil over a former landfill. 7 years later, the site reopened as a 258-acre park with wetlands, woodlands, ponds and trails

In 2010, New York began a $256.4 million project to transform the former Brookfield Landfill on Staten Island into public parkland. The work included capping and remediating the landfill, restoring wetlands and eventually transferring the site to NYC Parks.

As part of the remediation, an impermeable landfill cap and a below-ground barrier were installed to contain pollutants from the site and eliminate exposure for future park users and aquatic life in the adjacent wetlands.

More than two million tons of clean soil were then spread across the impermeable barrier, reaching depths of up to four feet.


Seven years after the transformation began, the former landfill reopened as Brookfield Park, a 258-acre public space with meadows, wetlands, woodlands, marshes, streams and ponds, along with walking trails.

From a former landfill to public parkland

The Brookfield Park site was formerly a New York City municipal solid waste facility that operated from 1966 until 1980.

The remediation was designed to contain pollutants at the site and prevent exposure to them for people who would eventually use the park and for aquatic life in the adjacent wetlands.

The first phase of the project, which included remediation, closure of the landfill and restoration of the wetlands, was completed in 2013, two years ahead of schedule.

Did You Know?

Did you know Brookfield Park was once a New York City municipal solid waste facility that operated from 1966 to 1980?

As part of the transformation, more than two million tons of clean soil were spread across an impermeable barrier, with the soil reaching up to four feet deep. DEP also planted more than 17,000 trees and 76,000 plants and restored 16 acres of tidal and freshwater wetlands, as per a Nyc.gov report.

After the transformation, the former landfill became a 258-acre public park with meadows, wetlands, woodlands, marshes, streams, ponds and walking trails.

More than 17,000 trees were planted

The transformation also included extensive planting and wetland restoration.

DEP planted more than 17,000 trees during the remediation work, along with 76,000 plants. The project restored 16 acres of tidal and freshwater wetlands.

Prairie grass and native plantings were added to help prevent erosion and attract birds and butterflies.

Brookfield Park opens on 258 acres

After years of remediation and capping work, the former Brookfield Landfill was transferred to NYC Parks and officially opened as Brookfield Park.

The park covers 258 acres and includes meadows, wetlands, woodlands, marshes, streams and ponds. Walking trails run throughout the site.

At the opening, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver described the new park as a place for activities including biking, running and picnicking.

The opening also brought New York City's total parkland to more than 30,000 acres.

Community participation shaped the project

The transformation included community participation throughout the remediation process.

Activities were conducted to inform and educate the public about the site and potential remedial alternatives. Citizens Advisory and Science Advisory Committees were established, while public information sessions continued as the project moved from design through construction.

The Brookfield Citizens Advisory Committee met monthly to help ensure community concerns were addressed during the remediation.

What was once a municipal solid waste facility was ultimately transformed into a 258-acre public park with wetlands, woodlands, meadows, streams, ponds, trees and walking trails.