#Newsflash | New Nature Murals Beautify Ridgewood Reservoir
BY QEDC It's In Queens
The beauty of nature just got an upgrade.
Two recently installed murals now adorn the entrance to Ridgewood Reservoir’s footpath in Highland Park.
The larger one, To the Birds, depicts some of the 175 species (i.e. cardinals, red-wing blackbirds) that either live in the area or pass through during seasonal migrations on the Atlantic Flyway. Brooklyn-based Kate Nielsen’s brightly-colored piece depicts feathered friends interacting with vines, trees, and the historic body of water’s infrastructure, invoking a sense of rewilding, a theme Nielsen often explores with her art.
Rising ninth grader Jasmine Huang painted the smaller mural, which features flowers, leaves, and a starry night sky around a city skyline. It shows how nature persists in urban areas and emphasizes the human connection to water.
“The Ridgewood Reservoir is so peaceful and calming,” said Jasmine. “I hope that whoever sees the mural feels touched and overwhelmed by the world that surrounds them.”
Both artworks are on a container that the water ecology nonprofit NYC H2O uses to store tools that staffers and volunteers use to improve Highland Park.
“The new murals on NYC H20’s volunteer trailer are a vibrant and welcome addition to the park, reflecting its natural beauty with the colorful birds and history of Highland Park’s Ridgewood Reservoir,” stated NYC Parks Forest & Highland Park Administrator Portia Dyrenforth. “We hope these murals will inspire all who see it to volunteer and care for this incredible resource.”
The Ridgewood Reservoir was created in the 1850s to supply water to Brooklyn. At its peak, it held more than 300 million gallons, but it became obsolete after upstate reserves started operating in the 1950s. It was a backup for a while before ceasing operation in 1990. Now, it’s a public space with Protected Wetland status under the Freshwater Wetlands Act. Humans go there to enjoy restored walkways, spaces landscaped with natural plant species, and pollinator gardens. Plus, the mini-ecosystem improves air quality by filtering out particulates and harmful chemicals. It also absorbs storm water, mitigates sewage overflows, and cools the area during the summer.
Images: NYC H2O