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NYCHA Marlboro Green Space redevelopment is moving forward in Gravesend as residents, housing leaders, and nonprofit partners launch a $500,000 project to transform underused public housing space into a greener and more accessible community area. The project at Marlboro Houses will add eco-friendly walkways, rain gardens, sensory play features, and stormwater improvements designed with direct resident input.
NYCHA, the Public Housing Community Fund, and several nonprofit partners officially broke ground on a new eco-friendly redevelopment project at Marlboro Houses in Brooklyn.
The project is part of Green Space Connections, a $3.2 million initiative focused on improving outdoor spaces across several NYCHA developments throughout New York City.
The organization formally announced the update through NYC Newswire. The redevelopment will transform more than 7,000 square feet of open space with sustainable design features, accessible pathways, gathering areas, and stormwater management systems.
The project also reflects a broader citywide effort to improve public housing spaces through community-driven planning and environmental design.
Project organizers say residents played a major role in designing the new outdoor spaces at Marlboro Houses.
Residents identified several long-standing concerns, including flooding, underused green areas, and limited community gathering space.
The redesigned areas will include:
The project centers around a continuous Corkeen pathway made from recycled cork materials. Organizers say the pathway provides a softer and more accessible walking surface while helping improve drainage across the property.
The installation also marks the first public community project in New York City developed through Cork Collective, a sustainability initiative focused on recycling discarded cork materials.
“Green spaces are important for the health, well-being, and cohesion of our communities,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “This project at Marlboro Houses reflects what is possible when residents are placed at the center of the design process.”
Community leaders say the redevelopment will create safer and more welcoming public spaces for residents of all ages.
The Marlboro redevelopment also focuses heavily on sustainability and climate resilience.
Project partners say the rain gardens and ecological landscaping will help reduce flooding and improve stormwater drainage throughout the campus.
The cork-based surfacing also offers several environmental benefits, including:
Design teams also included interactive public art and flexible gathering spaces throughout the project.
“Working with the Marlboro community brought this project to life and gave them back their open spaces,” said Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson of The Urban Conga.
The redevelopment reflects growing efforts across New York City to combine public housing improvements with climate-focused infrastructure projects.
The Marlboro redevelopment is one of several projects being completed through the Green Space Connections initiative, which supports community-designed outdoor improvements at NYCHA developments throughout the city.
Additional participating developments include:
Earlier phases of the initiative included upgraded playgrounds, fitness areas, basketball courts, and new dog parks at participating NYCHA campuses.
Housing advocates say projects like the Marlboro redevelopment demonstrate how resident participation can help shape more functional and responsive public housing environments while strengthening neighborhood cohesion.
The investment also arrives as NYCHA communities across Brooklyn and the city continue pushing for infrastructure improvements, safer public spaces, and expanded environmental investments inside public housing developments.
Construction will continue throughout the coming months as crews begin installing pathways, landscaping, sensory features, and stormwater infrastructure throughout the Marlboro Houses campus.
Officials say the project is intended to create a long-term community gathering space while improving environmental sustainability and accessibility throughout the development.
Additional details were first outlined in a press release published via NYC Newswire.
The NYCHA Marlboro Green Space initiative now stands as another example of how resident-led planning, sustainability projects, and public housing revitalization efforts continue reshaping community spaces across Brooklyn.
What is the NYCHA Marlboro Green Space project?
The project is a $500,000 resident-designed redevelopment initiative at Marlboro Houses in Brooklyn focused on creating greener, safer, and more accessible community spaces.
What improvements are being added to Marlboro Houses?
The redevelopment includes cork pathways, rain gardens, sensory play installations, ecological landscaping, and stormwater management systems.
Why is the project considered environmentally sustainable?
The project uses recycled cork materials, permeable pathways, pollinator-friendly landscaping, and climate-resilient infrastructure designed to reduce flooding and environmental impact.
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