The Prison Ship Martyrs Monument is the largest burial vault in the United States by volume of human remains.
The park land was originally fortified during the Revolutionary War as Fort Putnam and later renamed Fort Greene for the War of 1812.
The monument's bronze lantern was designed by architect Stanford White and is intended to be illuminated at night.
The park was established in 1847, making it the first park designated by the City of Brooklyn before it became a borough of New York City.
The park's redesign in the early 20th century involved removing earlier fortifications to create the current landscaped hill structure.
The central staircase leading to the monument was restored to replicate the original design by McKim, Mead & White.
Fort Greene Park is Brooklyn’s oldest park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who also designed Central and Prospect Parks. The site serves as the final resting place for over 11,000 American prisoners of war who died on British prison ships during the Revolutionary War. The most prominent feature is the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument, a 149-foot granite Doric column topped with a bronze lantern. The park spans 30 acres of rolling hills and winding pathways in the heart of Brooklyn. It contains significant horticultural collections, including diverse species of trees that provide a dense canopy over the lawns. The topography features a plateau that offers elevated views of the surrounding neighborhood and the distant skyline. It functions as a central community hub, frequently hosting local markets, cultural festivals, and seasonal events. The park is managed by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation in collaboration with the Fort Greene Park Conservancy.
The steps leading up to the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument provide a symmetrical frame of the column.
Visit during the weekend farmers market for local Brooklyn food products.
Walk to the top of the hill to access the best vantage points for observing local neighborhood architecture.
Check the park conservatory website for scheduled community outdoor fitness classes or film screenings.
Do not leave personal belongings unattended on park benches, as it is a high-traffic urban space.
Stay on marked paths in planted areas; off-leash dog hours are restricted to early morning and late evening.
