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ALSO SEE SERIES-THE STATE OF OUR PARKS
FORT GREENE PARK: In Fort Greene. DESCRIPTION: Fort Greene Park is on the slope of a hill, where a view of Downtown Brooklyn and Manhattan can be seen. There are two playgrounds, lots of grass and walkways and, in the center of the park, the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument, the tallest free-standing Doric column in the world. It holds the remains of thousands of soldiers who died in the Revolutionary War. The 30.16-acre park is the oldest in Brooklyn and was originally called Washington Park until it was renamed after Nathaniel Greene, a Revolutionary War general. NEIGHBORHOOD AVERAGE INCOME: 16,700
NEW YORK NEWSDAY RATING: 2 PARKS DEPARTMENT RATINGS: fall 1986, C; fall 1987, B; summer 1988, not available.
COMMENTS: Although the park itself is beautiful, it is not kept clean and is abused by many people, according to Urban Park Ranger Herman Barrocales. "Add to this the problem of drugs and a homeless population in the area, and you get a lot of misuse and abuse," he said. Barrocales said that the park rangers, along with police when manpower is available, patrol the park, but they can only do so much. One who agrees with him is Edward Carter, chairman of the Parks and Public Safety Board of Community Board 2 and founder and director of the Fort Greene Youth Patrol. That group also patrols the area when it can, but Carter says more needs to be done.
FUTURE: The park's monument and museum, which have been closed for more than 25 years,...