A floating food forest know as Swale is coming to the waterfront at Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT).
From May 5 through July 1, 2018. the “socially-engaged public artwork,” created by artist Mary Mattingly, will bring educational programming to the local community.
Built on a 130 by 40 ft. barge, Swale contains 5,000 s/f of edible perennial garden and presents opportunities for New Yorkers to get involved in building ecological resilience through promoting food as a public commons.
Swale will be free and open to the public on weekends, and will host regular public programs around topics of wellness, public arts and environmental activism.
In partnership with educators and like minded non-profits, Swale will present events such as a permaculture workshop, water filtration lab, medicinal plant tour, soil science and compost demo, and panel discussions.
While at BAT, Swale will activate the Sunset Park waterfront and serve the surrounding community, as a platform for local engagement around social, physical and environmental wellness.
During the weekend hours, visitors can come aboard the barge and harvest herbs, fruits and vegetables, with guidance from the onboard staff members.
