Garden design in partnership with the Alice Austen House, students from the Pratt Institute Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment, and the New York Restoration Project. 2023

Alice Austen, the founder of the Staten Island Garden Club, took pride and comfort in her garden, using it as a photographic muse and a safe space for her companions. The garden provided a literal and symbolic escape from the strict Victorian mores imposed on women and LGBTQ+ identifying individuals at the time.

This garden program will provide a based meeting hub within the park, bringing together students from across Staten Island to create pathways for students to learn about careers in horticulture, parks, and museums, building upon existing LGBTQ+ Photographic Storytelling programs at the Alice Austen House.

From Alice Austen House Museum site