Fort Defiance Park: Where Open Space and Climate Resilience Meets History

A Climate Justice Action Plan for Red Hook must honor where we come from — and Fort Defiance is where the story begins.

Red Hook is home to one of the most overlooked Revolutionary War sites in New York City, and it may also hold a key to our climate-resilient future. Designated in 2025 as one of the Historic Districts Council's "Six to Celebrate," Fort Defiance is both a sacred site of early American resistance and a strategic opportunity for modern-day resilience and community space.

In this webinar, we will:

Revisit the historical significance of Fort Defiance as a key Revolutionary War fortification and what it meant for the defense of Brooklyn and New York

Explore how the site's elevation and location make it a natural refuge and staging ground for climate adaptation and storm response

Present concepts for nature-based design, public memory, and multi-functional green infrastructure that could transform the site into a community resource for the 21st century

Share updates on the "Six to Celebrate" program and the broader push for recognition and stewardship of Red Hook's cultural and ecological assets

Fort Defiance is more than a park — it's a symbol of resilience, then and now. Integrating this site into Red Hook's Climate Justice Action Plan means ensuring that history, green infrastructure, and community identity are woven into every planning decision ahead.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Resilient Red Hook